Georgii Merkulov scores in the shootout in Springfield. (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins)
Even though they are depleted by NHL callups, the Providence Bruins dug in and earned five out of six points over the weekend.
They started on Friday with a 3-0 home win over a good Rochester Americans team, then followed that up with a 4-3 shootout win on the road against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday.
The P-Bruins saved their best for last, even while losing. At home on Sunday against a first-place Laval Rocket squad, Providence came from behind twice and forced overtime with an outstanding third period. They earned a point even though they lost in OT, 3-2.
“Amazing third period by the entire group playing against a team that came in the night before, well-rested. They did a fantastic job. They should be proud of how they played. I know I am (proud). I know they’re disappointed with the overtime loss, but they were outstanding,” said coach Ryan Mougenel.
Providence’s goaltending has been outstanding lately, as demonstrated by three consecutive shutouts, and the play of the defense has been first-rate.
“How we’ve been defending, we’ve got some young defensemen there that have a lot of added minutes, probably too many minutes right now at times for young D. Their details are getting there.
“There’s always those teaching moments with young D. We’ve been pretty staunch with them and they’ve done a great job responding. It’s a daily build. Ultimately, if they can grow their game and be defensive-minded in details like Michael Callahan, that’s where it starts. They’re at the starting point. Michael is at the end. That’s how we approach it.”
Here’s the good, bad and ugly.
GOOD
— They finished the weekend in second place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 23-13-4-1 for 51 points.
— Providence’s shutout streak reached 198:19 before it was snapped in Springfield.
— Michael DiPietro posted his fourth shutout of the year on Friday. DiPietro leads the AHL in save percentage (.932) and goal-against average (1.91).
— Brandon Bussi posted his second straight win on Saturday with 33 saves, including 4 terrific stops in overtime. Then he denied all 3 shootout attempts, including the last one on Blues’ first rounder Dalibor Dvorsky to clinch the victory.
— Georgii Merkulov was held without a point on Sunday, but he had 4-7-11 in the previous 9 games. He had 1-2-3 on Saturday and buried the deciding goal in the shootout. By the end of the day on Sunday he was sixth in the AHL in scoring with 11-27-38 in 38 games.
— Fabian Lysell scored twice on Friday and recorded two assists on Saturday.
— Tyler Pitlick’s 12th goal of the season was the game-winner on Friday. He has 7 goals in his last 10 games.
— The fourth line of Trevor Kuntar, Jaxon Nelson and Riley Duran on Saturday contributed solid minutes and combined for 13 shots on goal in Springfield. The trio of Kuntar, Nelson and Joey Abate chipped in with two goals – by Duran and Abate — on Sunday.
— Frederic Brunet is not an offensive defenseman, nor is he a shutdown defender. His game is somewhere in the middle. Brunet, who chipped in with his first goal in two months on Saturday, has taken a step this season. His plus-16 is seventh in the AHL.
BAD
— With a two-goal lead, Providence appeared to be in control in the second period on Saturday. But then, with the top line of Tufte-Merkulov-Lysell on the ice, Springfield tied the game with two goals in 18 seconds.
— Fabian Lysell’s speed was evident on Sunday, as it often is, but you can’t overlook the same mistakes being repeated, game in and game out. The turnovers, the 1 on 3 entries, getting pushed aside by bigger players, too much time on the perimeter instead of inside.
— Stick tap for Hometown Heroes Night in Springfield. But an emergency vehicle parade at intermission? Really? I’ll bet Eddie Shore, the father of Springfield hockey, was spinning in his grave.
UGLY
— Ugly took the week off.
Rinkside Rhode Island 