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 most recent games. The Bruins have played fourteen games and are leading the division by sixteen points over Hartford in second place. They have extended their lead to seventeen points over Bridgeport in third place. The Bruins have an impressive 11-2 record. The team won all of their four contests, and this positive trend further proves why this team has followed their coaching and veteran leadership. This netted them eight points out of a possible eight over that four-game span. We now see a platoon of goaltenders between the pipes with some new faces getting playing time as the team continues to bolster the Boston net sending Dan Vladar making room for three goaltenders between the pipes. We will look at the last quartet of games, and here are the players that made the Shining Star Showcase this week (March 10 – March 20).
Shining Star: Jeremy Swayman
Jeremy Swayman now sits alone atop the standings list for goaltenders as well as atop the list alone on the Shining Stars Showcase. The rookie sensation netminder ranks number one and has an impressive 7-0 record leading all goaltenders rookies included. Swayman also ranks number one while sporting an awesome 1.57 goals-against-average. Jeremy played in back-to-back games for the first time this season as veteran netminder Dan Vladar was called up to Boston to bolster their netminder package with Rask on injured reserve. Swayman faced both division rivals last week on Wednesday and Friday and had a combined total of 51 saves on 53 shots sent his way. Another impressive week for what could be shaping up as MVP honors at the end of the season.
Shining Star: Jakub Lauko
Friday, we saw the emergence of Jakub Lauko on the stat sheet as he emerged on the Shining Star Showcase for a fourth time this season. Lauko was instrumental in their win Friday 5-2 over Hartford. The first goal of the game was netted by Lauko, and he eventually scored the insurance goal for the ninth win for the team this season. As we see Lauko continue to be a presence on and off the ice with this team having a larger outer circle of new teammates, he is making sure the rookies take note and follow along. With 11 total wins for the team, it is clear they are doing just that.
Shining Star: Tommy Cross
Welcome back and welcome to the Shining Star Showcase Tommy Cross! It is great to see him back on the ice with the black and gold. In their on-ice tilt Monday we saw Crosslight the lamp twice for his first two goals this season with the Bruins. His veteran leadership took very little time to return as he scored the eventual game-winning and insurance goals allowing the Bruins to pick up their tenth win on the season.
Shining Star: Callum Booth
Gather round for this one. Welcome to the Shining Star Showcase Callum Booth! What a debut for the rookie netminder both on the ice and on the stat sheet. With the need to have Dan Vladar make his way up to Boston to aid the goaltending unit that left a spot on the rotation to be filled and Callum Booth got his chance on Monday against Bridgeport. The rookie saved 36 of 38 shots pointed at him, and the team rallied around him, scoring all five goals before the Sound Tigers could get on the board. Booth was able to blank Bridgeport through the first two periods showing great promise between the pipes. The reasons we see the goaltenders can vary between both clubs, the result is the same. Providence has been swapping places with Vladar and Swayman and with the team having an overwhelming lead in their division. Booth was able to help the team pick up their tenth win on the season, with games in had the Bruins have a win total magic number of FIVE to secure the Atlantic Division. Yes, we can start the countdown.
Shining Star: Alex Olivier Voyer
Bienvenu Alex Olivier Voyer to the Shining Star Showcase, your effort, and contributions to the team go unnoticed this week. In their game Saturday against Hartford, Voyer lit the lamp twice for his second and third goals on the season. In their 6-2 win over Hartford, Voyer scored the eventual game-winner in the second period. As the team begins to mix up combinations on offense, defense, and special teams, it is clear everyone is contributing on all levels. This week Voyer made a significant impact in their win on Saturday.
Shining Star: Kyle Keyser
Rookie goaltender Kyle Keyser made two debuts this weekend. First on the ice as the fourth goaltender to start a game for Providence, and later on, the Shining Star Showcase with his performance in the Bruins 6-1 win as well. Keyser stopped 27 of 28 shots sent his way, and his team supported him early on with four unanswered goals before Hartford got one by him. When you can have three rookie goaltenders in the form of Swayman, Booth, and Keyser take the ice for four straight games and come out with eight points, that is a testament to the coaching and hours of practice and preparation. Keyser has observed the goaltenders around him and was ready for his chance to get on the ice. His win propelled the Bruins one step closer to the Division with their eleventh win on the season. The magic number win total is down to four.
Who Will Shine Next?
As we await the results of the upcoming games on Thursday, March 25th against Hartford and Wednesday, March 31, versus 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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