The Springfield Thunderbirds stunned the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-3 in overtime of Game 2 of their Atlantic Division finals matchup, erasing a 3-0 third-period deficit and keeping the series tied at one game apiece. Akil Thomas scored the game-winner just 5:14 into overtime, giving Springfield its fourth comeback win and fourth OT victory of the playoffs.
Hugh McGing opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal 55 seconds into the third period. Dillon Dube then scored twice in the final 3:24 of regulation, both with the extra attacker, to complete the Thunderbirds' comeback. The Penguins had built a 3-0 lead on goals by Bill Zonnon, Tristan Broz, and Avery Hayes.
Springfield outshot Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 31-12 in the third period and overtime combined. “We had a chat about what our game looks like,” said Thunderbirds head coach Steve Ott. “The recipe for the way we need to play, we saw it in the third and we saw it in overtime.”
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which had dominated the series early, fell victim to prevent defense, a strategy not in line with their usual style. “We went into prevent defense (and) that’s not how we play,” Penguins head coach Kirk MacDonald said. “We lost track of our identity and it bit us in the butt.”
The Penguins entered the series with a 25-7-3-1 road record in the 2025-26 season, having won both games in Springfield during the regular season. However, Springfield has won seven of its last eight home games, including two overtime wins in the first round.
In another pivotal Atlantic Division finals matchup, the Cleveland Monsters and Toronto Marlies are set to face off in Game 3 on Wednesday after splitting the first two contests. The series is tied 1-1 following a 5-2 Toronto win in Game 1 and a 3-1 Cleveland win in Game 2.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Wolves are one win away from sweeping the Central Division champion Grand Rapids Griffins. Chicago won Game 2 4-3 in overtime, with Felix Unger Sörum scoring twice, including the game-winner. Cayden Primeau made 36 saves and assisted on the game-tying goal. The Griffins, who had never lost a game after leading after the first period this season, now trail the series 2-0.
The Thunderbirds and Penguins return to the MassMutual Center on Tuesday night for Game 3 of their Atlantic Division finals matchup at 7:05 ET.
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