Pressure is becoming rather routine for defenseman Matt Kessel and the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Matthew Kessel’s first goal as a pro was the overtime winner as the Springfield Thunderbirds rallied for a 5-4 win over the Chicago Wolves in Game 1 of the 2022 Calder Cup Finals on Sunday afternoon.

Both the Chicago Wolves and Springfield Thunderbirds have taken some hits, endured slumps and faced setbacks. But now they are both close to their ultimate goal. Each team is four wins away from a Calder Cup title.

The Springfield Thunderbirds know what the chance to play for the Calder Cup means to their home city, a mainstay on the American Hockey League map since 1936.

The 2022 Calder Cup Finals will get underway on Sunday, June 19, at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

In control from start to finish, the Springfield Thunderbirds advanced to the Calder Cup Finals on Wednesday night with a 4-0 Game 7 win over the Laval Rocket at MassMutual Center.

No matter who ends up lifting the Calder Cup later this month, each of the 23 clubs that qualified to battle for this spring will all have something in common. Win or lose, they all will have sampled the high-pressure hockey that only the postseason can bring.

Danick Martel notched two goals and an assist and Cayden Primeau made 30 saves as the Laval Rocket registered a 5-1 win in Springfield on Monday night, setting up a winner-take-all showdown for the right to play for the Calder Cup.

The Springfield Thunderbirds have that special something. Head coach Drew Bannister sees it. So does goaltender Charlie Lindgren. And no less than James Neal, he of 869 NHL games and two Stanley Cup Finals, can pinpoint it as well.

A night after surrendering a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4, the Springfield Thunderbirds returned the favor and will return home one victory away from the Calder Cup Finals.