Springfield Thunderbirds Surge into Calder Cup Playoffs After Slow Start

The Springfield Thunderbirds, the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, have defied expectations this season, rallying from a dismal start to secure a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. As they prepare to face the Charlotte Checkers in a best-of-three series starting Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT, few could have predicted their journey from the bottom of the Atlantic Division to the postseason.

After beginning the season with a staggering 2-10-4-2 record, the Thunderbirds appeared destined for a long year. However, a change in leadership brought new life to the team. Coach Steve Ott, who took the helm on January 19, has been instrumental in turning the season around. Under his guidance, Springfield improved from a 14-18-4-2 record at his arrival to an impressive 18-14-2-0 finish.

“Things transitioned really quick for this group, and I’m really proud of this group,” Ott remarked, reflecting on the team’s turnaround. He emphasized the importance of building trust among players and fostering a solid practice ethic, which translated into better on-ice performance. The Thunderbirds have shown resilience and determination, earning valuable points as they grew into a competitive squad.

Ott’s coaching philosophy has focused on developing young talent while leveraging the experience of team leaders like captain Chris Wagner, Hugh McGing, and Calle Rosen. “Getting the buy-in from the leaders early, helping develop all our young guys… I thought really helped them and was instrumental to their success,” Ott explained. This collective effort has positioned Springfield as a playoff contender, a goal they felt they were always capable of achieving.

Among the standout players is Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, a third-round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft. Kaskimaki ended the season on a high note, tallying 17 points in his last 15 games. After a brief stint with the Blues where he did not register any points, he returned to Springfield to find his scoring touch, finishing the season with 44 points in 64 games.

“Finding your scoring comes with different opportunity,” Ott noted about Kaskimaki’s development. He praised the chemistry Kaskimaki has developed with his linemates, Dube and Wagner, highlighting their ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. This well-rounded play has been crucial for the Thunderbirds as they head into the playoffs.

The playoff format presents a unique challenge, with all three games against the Checkers being held in Charlotte. Game 2 is set for Friday, followed by a potential Game 3 on Saturday, both at 6 p.m. CT. Although the Thunderbirds struggled against the Checkers in the regular season, losing six of eight matchups, recent performances suggest they are ready to rise to the occasion.

“We’re up against it. There’s no other way of putting it,” Ott acknowledged, aware of the formidable opponent. Yet, he remains optimistic, citing the Thunderbirds’ experience in meaningful games leading up to the playoffs. “I really like where our game is at. I think we have a very competitive group and we want to make some noise.” A victory in this series would advance Springfield to face the top-seeded Providence in the Atlantic Division semifinals, a goal they are eager to achieve.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.