The Providence Bruins wrapped up the regular season by winning two out of three. They dropped a 5-3 decision at home to Charlotte on Friday; routed Springfield, 5-0, on the road on Saturday; and beat the Thunderbirds, 4-2, at home on Sunday. After finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division, they will face first-place Lehigh Valley in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, starting with home games on Friday and Saturday.
Here’s the good, bad and ugly.
GOOD
*** The P-Bruins finished seventh overall in the AHL. Four of the top seven teams in the league in the regular season were in the Atlantic Division.
*** Austin Czarnik was credited with the P-Bruins’ final regular season goal on Sunday, capping a great year for the third-year pro. He finished third in scoring in the AHL with 25-44-69 in 64 games. “He’s really raised his level to a place that’s very elite in this league,’’ said coach Jay Leach. A Group 6 free agent, Czarnik could walk as of July 1.
*** Using his speed to his advantage, Zach Senyshyn had a strong weekend, with goals on Friday and Sunday and an assist on Saturday.
*** Ryan Fitzgerald hit the 20-goal mark on Friday and added his 21st on Sunday. He had a strong rookie year with 21-16-37 in 65 games.
*** Zane McIntyre pitched a 24-save shutout on Saturday. It was his seventh of the season, the most in the AHL. He was credited with his second assist of the year on Sunday.
*** In his second game back after missing 18 with a concussion, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson scored twice and set up another on Saturday night.
*** Adam Payerl made a beautiful pass to JFK for a shorthanded goal and sniped a nice power play goal, both on Saturday.
*** Kenny Agostino had 1-3-4 in two games.
*** Jack Studnicka scored his first goal as a pro on Saturday and Karson Kuhlman had his first assist on Sunday.
*** With crowds of 7,828 on Friday and 9,900 on Sunday, the P-Bruins finished fourth in the league with an average of 8,357, an increase of 94 over last season.
BAD
*** In Friday’s loss to Charlotte, the P-Bruins failed to score on some glorious chances early and took penalties that gave the Checkers’ very skilled forwards the opportunity to take advantage on the power play.
*** With the loss, Providence dropped from third to fourth place in the Atlantic Division.
UGLY
*** Injured: Peter Cehlarik and Josh Hennessy, upper body.