Frederic Brunet is all smiles after his goal in Bridgeport (Photo courtesy of Providence Bruins).

The Providence Bruins opened the 2025-26 season with a pair of wins, one on the road and one at home.

On Saturday night, they rallied from two goals down to beat the Bridgeport Islanders, 3-2, in Connecticut.

In the home opener on Sunday, the P-Bruins trailed, 3-2, before exploding for four straight goals on the way to a 6-3 victory in front of 9,093 fans.

“The guys stuck to their identify,” coach Ryan Mougenel said after Sunday’s game. “There were definitely moments where we were bending. We didn’t necessarily break. That’s to be expected early on in the season, kind of building in those habits that protect you. We did a good job of it.”

Here’s the good, bad and ugly.

GOOD

— With a hat trick and a primary assist, Fabian Lysell played his best game ever in a Providence uniform on Sunday. All three of the goals were different. The first was on a breakaway; he went to the edge of the crease for the second; and the third came off the rush. He was plus-four for the day.

“It’s good to see Fabian watch a couple of pucks go in the net. For offensive guys it’s always good that they can see the puck go in and start building that confidence. It’s a big part of the game, obviously, feeling good and playing good,” said Mougenel.

“The big thing for us is we want guys’ games in a really good place when they go up. It’s not always necessarily the stat sheet. It’s the wall play, stick details. Those are the things that give you protection and longevity in the NHL and those are the habits we’re trying to build into a lot of our young players like Fabian. Sometimes it takes time.

“I liked that he shot the puck tonight. My favorite goal was the second goal. He went to the net and that’s what happens when you go to the net. He got rewarded.”

— Alex Steeves had a goal and three assists and was plus-four against Charlotte.

— Matt Poitras recorded four assists and was plus-four on Sunday.

— Georgii Merkulov was brilliant on Saturday with a goal and two helpers.

— Matej Blumel, doing what he does best, scored goals in both games.

— After a rough start, Simon Zajicek locked it down and stopped 23 shots in Saturday’s win. His best stop came with seven minutes left, a 10-bell save on Joey Larson that kept the score at 2-2. It was Zajicek’s first win in the American Hockey League.

— All three of Providence’s goals against the Islanders were of the highlight-reel variety

First, Merkulov showed off his quick, slick hands to score from close range. On the second goal, Merkulov started the play and then Victor Soderstrom made a perfect pass to Frederic Brunet, who buried it. In overtime, the puck went from Brunet to Merkulov to Blumel, who ripped home a one-timer for the win.

— They held Bridgeport to just one shot in the third period.

— Patrick Brown scored a goal and had seven shots on Sunday.

— Michael DiPietro stopped 34 shots against Charlotte.

— Good start for the power play, which went three of six on the weekend.

BAD

Providence allowed two goals in just under two minutes in the first period in Bridgeport. The D pairing of Jonathan Aspirot and Ty Gallagher was on for both goals.

— Hate to start the year dumping on a referee, but I have to call it like I see it: The holding penalty on Victor Soderstrom at the start of the second period in Bridgeport was not referee Chad Ingalls’ best moment.

— The P-Bruins allowed a goal with 32 seconds left in the first period.

UGLY

— Nothing ugly to report at this time. Check back next week.