
The Providence Bruins have reached a point in their pandemic-shortened season where they have a lot of time in between games.
In fact, Providence has played only twice since March 20.
The P-Bruins split their two most recent games.
They lost to the Hartford Wolf Pack, 4-2, in Marlboro on March 26, and won, 3-2, in overtime against the Sound Tigers in Bridgeport on March 31.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but it’s still a win and we’ll certainly take it,’’ said coach Jay Leach after his team came from behind in the third period for the win.
Here’s the good, bad and ugly.
GOOD
— Oskar Steen scored the game-winner in Bridgeport, beating longtime NHL netminder Cory Schneider in OT.
— Providence leads the Atlantic Division by 12 points and is third in the AHL with a points percentage of .781.
— With an assist on Steen’s goal, Jakub Lauko has 3-4-7 in his last six games.
— Rookies Matt Filipe and Alex-Olivier Voyer had a goal and an assist each in Bridgeport. Filipe has 1-2-3 in his last three games. Voyer has 3-2-5 in his last four games.
— Ian McKinnon continues to lead the AHL in penalty minutes, with 53 in only five games. He piled up 27 minutes against the Wolf Pack with a minor, a major and two misconducts. I put him in the “good’’ category because of the energy and physicality that he brings.
BAD
— The last two first periods have been rough for Providence. They were outshot, 16-5, and gave up three goals against Hartford. They were outshot, 9-0, against Bridgeport.
— It took the P-Bruins 22:19 to get their first shot on net in Bridgeport. Chances are Providence has a had a shotless period or two during their 30-season history, but I can’t remember one.
— Lauko dropped the gloves with Hartford tough guy Mason Geertsen. It didn’t go well for Lauko.
— The game scheduled for April 3 against Utica – at last, a different opponent than Hartford and Bridgeport – was postponed because of COVID issues with the Comets.
UGLY
Injured: Urho Vaakanainen, Brendan Woods