Billy Sweezey of the Bruins made quick work of Hershey’s Brennan Saulnier in a Friday night bout. (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins)

It was a frustrating weekend for the Providence Bruins. They played the two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears tough at home on Friday night and Sunday afternoon but dropped a pair of 2-1 decisions.

They are 2-4 and in sixth place in the Atlantic Division, continuing a trend of relatively slow starts in the opening weeks over the last few seasons.

“We made one huge mistake on the first goal where I thought we were playing pretty well,” coach Ryan Mougenal said after Sunday’s game. “And after they scored the second goal, we were asleep at the wheel for the next five minutes. The games are about momentum and how do you steal momentum and how do you get it back. They get a lucky bounce off (the linesman) for the second goal, but those are things that happen, that’s part of the game. It’s how you respond.

“I’m not going to lie to you, there were guys that I’m not happy with their response, for sure. When (the coaching staff is) on the bench and we’re the cheerleaders trying to provide energy, it can’t just be us and our leadership. It’s got to be other guys stepping up. We just don’t have that right now.

“They’re fighting it a little bit, our offensive guys. I feel like they have a lot of pressure on them to score. But they need to understand that Hershey (playing their third game in three days) literally outworked us. I have a problem with that. There were learning moments for sure, but our best players have to be our best players.”  

Here’s the good, bad and ugly.

GOOD

— After scoring on Sunday, Vinni Lettieri leads the team in goals with four.

— Tyler Pitlick scored his first goal with the P-Bruins on Friday.

— The P-Bruins received a gift in the first period on Sunday when linesman Jared Waitt dropped the puck before Hershey center Spencer Smallman was ready on a faceoff in the Hershey end. Uncontested, Georgii Merkulov drew the puck to Vinni Lettieri, who fired it past Hunter Shepard for Providence’s only goal.

— Michael DiPietro’s 1.34 save percentage is seventh in the league.

— After going 1-3 in their first four home games, hitting the road for a game in Belleville and two in Laval this week might be a good change.

BAD

— It’s nearly impossible to win if you’re averaging only two goals per game, which is where Providence is with only 12 goals in six games. Georgii Merkulov, Brett Harrison, Riley Duran, Trevor Kuntar and Marc McLaughlin have zero goals. Fabian Lysell and John Farinacci are stuck on one.

— And it’s hard to win in the AHL, especially against a team as good as Hershey, with youngsters on defense. In both games, Providence had two rookies and a second-year pro playing D.

— Hershey’s Henrik Rybinski made contact with Brandon Bussi in the Providence crease just before the Bears’ tying goal in the second period on Sunday. Referee Morgan MacPhee was in perfect position and looking right at the play, but he called it a good goal.

— There was no need for MacPhee to call an unsportsmanlike penalty on Trevor Kuntar after the horn at the end of Sunday’s game. The last thing the AHL needs is another thin-skinned young referee with no feel for the game.

— Until early in the third period on Sunday, the power plays were five to one in Hershey’s favor.

UGLY

— Brutal game on Sunday for linesman Jared Waitt. Not only did he blow the drop on the faceoff that led to Providence’s goal in the first period, but in the third period an attempted shoot-in bounced off Waitt’s skate and directly to Hershey sniper Ethen Frank, who sailed in and fired the puck past Brandon Bussi for what turned out to be the winning goal. 

— Providence’s power play has gone zero for the last five games. It is 30th in the AHL at 4.3 percent.

— Injured: Alec Regula, Jordan Oesterle

Springfield’s Leo Loof is about to take a seat at the end of his bout with Jeffrey Viel of Providence on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins)

The Providence Bruins split their two weekend games against the Springfield Thunderbirds.

They lost, 4-2, on the road on Saturday, then came back with a better performance in a 3-0 win in the rematch at home on Sunday.

The P-Bruins are 2-2 after the first four games of the season.

“We’re still building our identity,” said coach Ryan Mougenel on Sunday.

“It’s getting to the point where we’ve got to recognize what’s winning hockey and what’s not. I feel like we’re a team right now that needs to grind it out a little bit so it’s good that the guys responded and found ways to score and defend the right way. There’s still things in our game that, to have a consistent winning environment, you’ve got to do.”

Here’s the good, bad and ugly.

GOOD

— Fabian Lysell made a highlight-reel move and scored his first goal of the season on Saturday. He was feisty and dialed in on Sunday and played his best game of the season, creating chances and setting up a goal by Jordan Oesterle.

— Jeffrey Viel gave the team a lift in the first period on Sunday with a bout against Leo Loof. “I thought that Jeffrey Viel stepping up and fighting set the right tone,” Mougenel said. Providence took the lead within a couple of minutes of Viel’s fight.

— Jordan Osterle had an assist on Saturday and a goal on Sunday. He continues to lead the team in scoring with 2-3-5 in four games.

— Michael DiPietro was solid as a rock on Sunday, pitching a 23-save shutout. DiPietro is 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .962 save percentage.

— John Farinacci scored his first goal of the season with a strong move to the net on Saturday, then assisted on a goal by Vinni Lettieri on Sunday.

— Ryan Mast isn’t known for taking chances in the offensive zone but he made a good pinch that led to Lettieri’s goal in the first period of Sunday’s game.

— Patrick Brown, who scored an empty net goal to clinch Sunday’s win, was named team captain. He’s a great choice.

— Providence added a solid pro to the lineup with the signing of Tyler Pitlick to a PTO.

BAD

— The power play is 28^th in the AHL at 6.3 percent and is 0 for its last 15.

— The P-Bruins gave up a goal off a defensive faceoff in the last minute of the first period on Saturday.

— Providence allowed two goals in 27 seconds midway through Saturday’s game, digging a hole they couldn’t climb out of.

— With the P-Bruins guarding a two-goal lead with 6:46 left on Sunday, Fabian Lysell committed an egregious turnover, leading to a clean breakaway by Marcus Sylvegard that was turned away by Michael DiPietro. It was no time for Lysell to attempt a risky one-on-one move.

UGLY

— Injured: Alec Regula

Providence’s Jeffrey Viel was pumped after punishing Laval’s Luke Tuch in a fight on Friday night. (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins)

Two games down, 70 to go.

The Providence Bruins earned a split on the first weekend of the 2024-25 season.

They started fast but quickly lost their way in a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Laval Rocket in the opener at home on Friday, then dug in for a 3-2 road win against the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday.

Here’s the good, bad and ugly.

GOOD

— Vinni Lettieri scored goals in both games. It’s great to have him back.

— Jordan Oesterle had an excellent weekend. The veteran defenseman earned primary assists on both Providence goals on Friday, then scored the shorthanded game-winner in Bridgeport.

— Good start for rugged winger Jeffrey Viel. He demolished Laval’s Luke Tuch in a fight, much to the delight of Friday night’s big crowd, then took a picture-perfect stretch pass from Mike Callahan and scored a breakaway goal on Saturday.

— Mike DiPietro earned the win in Bridgeport, stopping 28 of 30 shots.

— Getting Ian Mitchell back from Boston should provide a good boost for the P-Bruins.

— The home opener drew a crowd of 9,189.

 BAD

— Providence jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first 11 minutes against Laval, then allowed five straight goals. That’s no way to start a season with a big crowd in the building.

— After scoring early in Friday’s game, the power play went 0 for 8 for the rest of the weekend and gave up a shorthanded goal in Bridgeport.

— The lack of sustained attack in both games was alarming. Providence generated only 14 shots on Friday and 20 on Saturday.

— Tough night for Jimmy Lambert – minus-3 – against Laval.

UGLY

— Injured: Alec Regula

Trevor Kuntar scores one of his three goals against Springfield in a preseason game on Oct. 5. (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins)

The Providence Bruins have finished first in the Atlantic Division three times and second once in the last five years. The last time they missed the playoffs was 2011-12, Bruce Cassidy’s first year as head coach.

It’s a safe bet – maybe even a mortal lock – that they’ll be in the playoffs once again at the end of this season.

Injuries and callups can always change things, but with the current lineup the P-Bruins figure to finish closer to the top of the Atlantic Division standings than to the bottom.

This year’s edition, featuring a good mix of youngsters and veterans, is strong in goal and on defense with proven scorers up front.

“The identity of the Bruins is the same and speaks for itself. We want to compete hard every night, be on our toes,” said Evan Gold, Providence general manager.

“The mix is nice. We’ve always aimed for that mix of young players who are going to play important roles for us up and down the lineup. We’ve added what we feel are some strong vets that our pro (scouting) group worked hard to identify to complement some of the youth that we have and help drive the bus both on and off the ice for us.”

From the net out, here’s how the team looks as the season opens at home against the Laval Rocket on Friday night.

GOALTENDING

There was some turbulence in the goalie department at the end of Boston training camp, but when the smoke cleared Providence remained in excellent shape with Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro returning. Both posted strong numbers last season.

Bussi was placed on waivers the same day Jeremy Swayman agreed on a new eight-year, $66 million contract. He went unclaimed. DiPietro had passed through waivers a couple of days earlier.

Both could be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, so they have every incentive to have a big year.

“Obviously, waivers is never a fun thing for anyone. Buss is a total pro. I think he’s excited to continue working in our organization. For both it’s come to work every day, you never know when that next opportunity is going to come. I think they are really firmly planted right now in the present and very committed to help this team,” Gold said.

“The goaltending should be solid every night no matter who is in there.”

DEFENSE

Defense should be a strong suit, especially when Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula join the lineup.

Mitchell is a puck mover and power-play point man who would not look out of place in a number of NHL lineups.

Two-way D-man Regula was having a fine year for Providence last year before being sidelined by an ankle injury.

New this year, Jordan Oesterle brings 371 games of NHL experience.

Opposition forwards will want to keep their heads up when new addition Billy Sweezey, coming off a good camp with Boston, is on the ice.

Steady Mike Callahan returns for his third pro season and Frederic Brunet is back for his second year.

Rookie Jackson Edward is a feisty defender who gets under the skin of the opposition and Drew Bavaro, another first-year pro, has a big shot from the point.

Ryan Mast and Mason Millman round out the D corps.

“We need to get a little bit healthy right now, a couple of guys (Mitchell and Regula) banged up. But if we have the full complement we expect to have, it should be a strength and it should be competition every night for playing time, but in a positive way where we’ll make sure the vets are getting their touches and also the kids are getting the important touches they need to develop,” said Gold.

FORWARDS

At the top of the lineup, Georgii Merkulov, Fabian Lysell, Patrick Brown and Vinni Lettieri are very good AHL players.

There’s a very good chance all four will see time in Boston at one time or another this season.

Jeffery Viel figures to be a fan favorite. He finishes every check and is willing to fight anyone, even Zdeno Chara a few years back. Seventeen goals for Manitoba last year and 15 for San Jose the year before that demonstrate that he can play, too.

Rookie Riley Duran opened some eyes in Boston camp. He’s a prospect to watch.

Keep an eye on Brett Harrison, too. Often physically overmatched as a rookie last season, he’s added strength and displayed a deft scoring touch in Boston camp.

Trevor Kuntar is a rat who gets in the face of opposing players from the opening puck drop. He put up 10 goals and 113 penalty minutes in his first year. More goals and fewer stick penalties would be a positive for him.

John Farinacci is stronger after a full summer of training and is looking to build on a solid rookie year.

Veteran Tyler Pitlick (420 NHL games) is a wild card. He attended Providence camp on a PTO and was a standout but isn’t on the opening night roster. If they get him under contract he’d be a nice addition to the lineup.

No one works harder than Marc McLaughlin, who had no puck luck whatsoever last season and is looking to put up better numbers this year.

Jimmy Lambert gave the P-Bruins an injection of energy in the playoffs last season after spending the year in Maine. He’s played very well in Providence’s camp.

Joey Abate brings non-stop energy and physicality.

Jaxon Nelson has size and was good on draws in college, but hasn’t shown much offense since signing out of Minnesota last spring.

Adam Mechura rounds out the forward contingent.

“On paper, there should be a really good, deep complementary group. Our pro (scouting) group worked really hard – we wanted to identify competitive players and add some strength to the group, a willingness to not only play on the interior but cycle pucks and be heavier on pucks,” said Gold.

“Those types of things – the type of player we graduated in (Justin) Brazeau — that’s probably a good example of some of the things we’ve talked about as a group internally.”

Coach Ryan Mougenel likes what he’s seen so far. “I think we have some offense, some guys that can put the puck past goalies. There might be a couple of sleepers, a couple of Justin Brazeaus, in the mix here.”

LOOKING AHEAD

I make this point every October: You never know what you’re going to get in the six-and-a-half-month battle of attrition that is the AHL schedule. The roster on opening night might not be what you finish with in April.

Veterans aren’t a lock to play as well as in previous seasons. Prospects that are expected to thrive don’t always do so. There’s callups and injuries and trades, Oh My!

Having said that, I’m optimistic that this will be another very entertaining season at the AMP.

The Hershey Bears, Calder Cup champs for two straight years, are the favorite in the Atlantic Division. They always are. But the P-Bruins should be able to give them a run for their money.

“You’ve got to wrestle the belt away from the champs,” said Gold. “Look, it’s a long season. Our goals right now are to get going, to build our game, to build an identity among our group and really focus on the details of preparation and playing the right way.”

Get your popcorn ready.