The Springfield Thunderbirds are headed to the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup Finals!
It’s the first time in 31 years that the St. Louis Blues’ top affiliate will compete for a league championship. Bobby Plager coached the Peoria Rivermen to the International Hockey League’s Turner Cup championship in the 1991 season – that team included former Blues such as Kelly Chase, Nelson Emerson, Tony Twist and Tom Tilley.
The Thunderbirds reached the Calder Cup Finals with a 4-0 win against the Laval Rocket in Game 7 on Wednesday night. Charlie Lindgren became the 12th goalie in AHL history to record a shutout in Game 7, making 34 saves in the victory. Lindgren went 5-0 for the Blues earlier this season, posting a 1.22 goals-against average and a .958 save-percentage.
Dakota Joshua netted two goals in the Game 7 win, while Matthew Peca – who played five games for the Blues this season – scored the game-winning goal.
“Man, I love this team, too,” Lindgren said after the game. “We have such a great group of guys, and for us to come through and play the way we did, I just feel incredible.”
Nine players who played with the Blues this season dressed for the Thunderbirds in Game 7: Joshua, Lindgren, Peca, Klim Kostin, Mackenzie MacEachern, James Neal, Calle Rosen, Steven Santini and Joel Hofer.
Springfield will meet the Blues’ former AHL affiliate – the Chicago Wolves – in the Calder Cup Finals, which begin Sunday at 3 p.m. All games are available with a paid subscription to AHLtv.com.
Calder Cup Finals Schedule
Game 1 at Chicago – June 19 at 3 p.m.
Game 2 at Chicago – June 20 at 7 p.m.
Game 3 vs. Chicago – June 22 at 6 p.m.
Game 4 vs. Chicago – June 24 at 6 p.m.
*Game 5 vs. Chicago – June 25 at 6 p.m.
*Game 6 at Chicago – June 28 at 7 p.m.
*Game 7 at Chicago – June 29 at 7 p.m.
* if necessary. All times are Central time.
