(Charlotte) Joel Hofer saved 34 pucks as the Springfield Thunderbirds defeated the Charlotte Checkers 5-1 on Saturday night to advance to the American Hockey League Eastern Conference final.
Posted yesterday at 10:33 p.m.
For the fourth time in as many playoff starts, Hofer faced at least 35 shots and went undefeated for the Thunderbirds. The St. Louis Blues’ 2018 fourth-round pick also picked up an assist in Saturday’s game.
The Thunderbirds have signed a second consecutive sweep since the start of the playoffs and they will now have an appointment with the Laval Rocket, the school club of the Montreal Canadiens.
Both teams will participate in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in their history. The first duel of this best-of-seven series will take place on Saturday, June 4.
For the occasion, the Thunderbirds could welcome the return of goaltender Charlie Lindgren, a former Rocket who played a few games with the Blues this season.
Dakota Joshua had a goal and an assist for the Massachusetts squad. Veteran James Neal, Nikita Alexandrov, Hugh McGing and Mackenzie MacEachern also moved the ropes.
Max McCormick scored the lone goal for the Checkers, the Florida Panthers and Seattle Kraken’s farm club. Joey Daccord blocked 25 of 29 shots aimed at him.