Chirps from Center Ice

We have our first major upset.

The Springfield Thunderbirds, who finished 21 points behind the Charlotte Checkers in the regular season have beaten Checkers 2-1 in overtime win Game 3 Saturday. Springfield’s wins the series 2-1.

This means that the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins will play the Hershey Bears, who dispatched the fourth seeded Bridgeport Islanders in two games earlier this week.

Here’s the schedule. Game 1 Thursday in Wilkes-Barre followed by Game 2 Saturday.

–

Quick thumbnail on Hershey, Clay Stevenson won the Bears the series against Bridgeport with a 18 save shutout in Game 1 and then 24 saves in Game 2 with some timely stops in that one. He’s got the experience, backing up Hunter Shepard in the 2024 Calder Cup Finals. The last thing the Penguins need is to run into a hot goaltender.

Anyway, strap in, it’s the Bears so you know it’s going to be a battle.