Hershey Bears and Springfield Thunderbirds Battle in Tight Playoff Race

The two teams are separated by just three points in the Atlantic Division standings with limited games remaining.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the Hershey Bears and Springfield Thunderbirds, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, forest green, and bright orange colors representing the intense competition between the two teams.The intense battle for playoff positioning in the AHL's Atlantic Division is reflected in the fractured, geometric style of this illustration.Springfield Today

The Hershey Bears visit the Springfield Thunderbirds tonight in a game that carries significant playoff implications for both teams. Hershey sits fifth in the Atlantic Division with 65 points, just one behind fourth-place Bridgeport and three ahead of seventh-place Springfield. With the regular season winding down, every point is crucial as these teams chase a postseason berth.

Why it matters

The standings in the Atlantic Division remain extremely tight, with several teams jockeying for playoff positioning. This game between Hershey and Springfield could have a major impact on the final standings, as the winner will gain valuable ground on the teams around them.

The details

Hershey is coming off a 4-1 loss to Bridgeport on Wednesday, while Springfield is riding some momentum after a 4-2 win over Providence on Sunday. The Bears have had the Thunderbirds' number this season, winning two of the three meetings so far, but Springfield has made some significant changes since their last matchup in October, including a coaching change and several trades.

  • The two teams last met on October 31, when Hershey won 3-2 in overtime.
  • Hershey's magic number to clinch a playoff berth is 12 points.

The players

Sonny Milano

A forward for the Bridgeport Islanders who scored a power-play goal against Hershey on Wednesday.

Vadim Zherenko

The Springfield Thunderbirds' goaltender who made 35 saves in their 4-2 win over Providence on Sunday.

Akil Thomas

A forward for the Springfield Thunderbirds who scored his first goal as a Thunderbird in the win over Providence.

Derek King

The head coach of the Hershey Bears, who acknowledged the importance of these final games and the tough schedule ahead.

Steve Ott

The interim head coach of the Springfield Thunderbirds, who took over in January.

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What they’re saying

“I hope they can. That's what being a pro is. You've got to notice these things, and then we miss an opportunity, it doesn't kill us, it doesn't put us out of the playoffs, but we need to get some points somehow, and we need to find a way to do that.”

— Derek King, Head Coach, Hershey Bears

“I told them earlier that the last eight games we play are going to be the toughest hockey we'll play in a long time, and then when we get into the playoffs, that's going to be even tougher.”

— Derek King, Head Coach, Hershey Bears

What’s next

The winner of tonight's game will gain valuable ground in the tight Atlantic Division playoff race, with both teams looking to secure a postseason berth in the final weeks of the regular season.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Hershey Bears and Springfield Thunderbirds highlights the intense competition in the Atlantic Division, where multiple teams are fighting for the final playoff spots. The outcome of this game could have a significant impact on the final standings and which teams ultimately make the playoffs.