By: Edward Dunn | Follow Me On Twitter @EdwardDunn71
The Shining Star Showcase is a weekly series reviewing the Providence Bruins based on their performance after their games played each week. The team has had seven contests and is leading the division by six points over both Bridgeport and Hartford with a 5-2 record. The team split their last two games against both of their divisional opponents. We continue to see a rotation of two goaltenders between the pipes. We can look at the tandem of games, and here are the players that made the Shining Star Showcase this week.
Shining Star: Joona Koppanen
Joona Koppanen makes his debut in the Shining Star Showcase. In their game on Thursday against Bridgeport, Koppanen scored at the time the go-ahead goal, and it was his third goal of the season. For all of the goal scorers in Thursday’s tilt with the Sound Tigers, Koppanen was the only one with three goals. Though the team gave up two power-play goals in the third period, Koppanen showed a strong effort which earned him a spot on the Showcase.
Shining Star: Jeremy Swayman
Jeremy Swayman continues to elevate the skillset of his game on Saturday remaining undefeated as a Providence Bruins goaltender. He took his game to the Wolfpack in Hartford in their 4 – 2 win. Swayman stopped 27 of 29 shots thrown at him by the Wolfpack and gave his team enough support to outlast Hartford to get the win. With his win, Saturday Swayman is the only goaltender to have played at least four games and remain undefeated. He is sporting an impressive .929 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against-average. The netminder has been inspiring his teammates to elevate their games as well. Swayman is also the only Bruin to appear in each weekly Shining Star Showcase. We hope this streak continues as well with his fourth appearance.
Shining Star: Jakub Lauko
Jakub Lauko makes his third appearance in the Shining Star Showcase. The left-winger not only makes appearance number three, but he also scored goal number three. Lauko’s goal was the eventual game-winner in their 4 – 2 win over Hartford on Saturday. Jakub continues to bring his game to the ice causing defensive pairs fits trying to contain him. Cameron Hughes and Zach Senyshyn contributed to the goal with an assist each. Lauko is on a great streak of positive output and performance, and we hope he continues to shine.
Shining Star: Jack Ahcan
Welcome to the Shining Star Showcase, Jack Ahcan. Not only is Ahcan part of the new class of Providence Bruins, but Jack is also earning the respect of his teammates as we pass the quarter-pole. Ahcan was the only player on both rosters to finish the game with a plus-minus of +3. Jack was part of the point earners as the only assist on the game-tying goal by Zach Senyshyn. Ahcan then scored the next goal to put the Bruins ahead 2-1 in the third period. As his stock continues to climb, we look for Ahcan to develop his other rookie teammates to follow suit.
Who Will Shine Next?
As we await the results of the upcoming games on Tuesday, March 2 against Hartford and Thursday, March 4 with Bridgeport, who do you think will shine? Will we have any repeat stars, or will there be a new group that comes to the forefront? Come back to find out.
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Get your Providence Bruins game previews from fellow Black N’ Gold colleague Tim Richardson. You can give him a follow on Twitter @TimARichardson.
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