By: Tim A Richardson | Follow Me On Twitter @TimARichardson
Week 23 of the AHL season is here, and the Providence Bruins skate into it 28-17-3-3 (62 points). That is good for second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference. Our boys in black and gold are coming off a tough week that saw them fall to Bridgeport 7-4 before being shut out by the same Islanders 3-0. They have three big games coming up that you will not want to miss.
The weekend starts on Thursday, March 17, 2022, when the Providence Bruins travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to take on the Checkers at the Bojangles Coliseum. The weekend continues on Saturday, March 19, 2022, when the Providence Bruins take on the Charlotte Checkers at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The weekend wraps on Sunday, March 20, 2022, when the Providence Bruins again take on the Charlotte Checkers at the Bojangles Coliseum. It’ll be an exciting weekend of hockey. Don’t miss it.
Thursday, March 17, 2022, Saturday March 19, 2022, Sunday March 20, 2022, Providence Bruins vs. Charlotte Checkers (AWAY)
The Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday matchups mark the fifth of six the two teams will have this season. Charlotte skates into it 31-22-4 (66 points). That is good for fourth in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference. The first battle saw Providence win 4-3. Jesper Froden (2), Joona Koppanen, and Jakub Lauko scored for the Bruins. Kyle Keyser made 31 stops in the victory.
The second matchup saw the Bruins win 5-1. Cameron Hughes (2), Oskar Steen, Brady Lyle, and Joona Koppanen scored goals for Providence. Both Kyle Keyser and Troy Grosenick played in goal during the game. They combined for 33 saves in the win.
The Checkers are in a unique situation this year. Their primary affiliate is the Florida Panthers. However, for this season, they have a secondary affiliate, the Seattle Kraken! That means you could see prospects from organizations playing Providence the weekend. The matchup with the Checkers has been a challenging one for Providence. Over the past five seasons, they are 10-7-1 against the Florida and Seattle affiliate. The Checkers score a ton. They are averaging 3.38 goals a game. They also have a good defense, giving up only 2.98 goals a game. Don’t miss the action!
My Players To Watch This Weekend
Up Front
Cameron Hughes: Cameron Hughes has been one of the best offensive weapons for the Providence Bruins all season. In 47 games, he’s netted 14 goals while dishing out 29 assists for 43 total points. That includes 22 points in his last 14 games. Hughes has bounced back incredibly after a down 2020-2021. Look for him this weekend.
On The Blue Line
Aaron Ness: Aaron Ness has been fantastic since returning from the Olympics. Ness has recorded five points in his ten games since returning from Beijing. In 41 games, Ness has netted two goals while dishing out 12 assists for 14 total points. The veteran defenseman also provided excellent defense for Providence. Look for him this weekend.
In Net
Kyle Keyser: Kyle Keyser continues to have an up and down season for the Providence Bruins. In 24 games, he is 9-11-5 with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. The young netminder hopefully can turn around his play. Look for him this weekend.
Despite a rough weekend, the Providence Bruins are still playing great hockey. Our boys in black and gold are 6-4 in their last ten games. The run has allowed them to remain in second place in the Atlantic Division and cement themselves as a playoff contender. Let’s hope they bounce back this weekend in Charlotte. I hope everyone enjoys the games. Feel free to send me any comments or questions on Twitter. As always, GO, Bs, GO!
Leave a Reply