By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter / X @BlackAndGold277
The Providence Bruins ended their two-game losing streak in spectacular fashion, delivering a decisive 5-0 victory over the visiting Springfield Thunderbirds. Goaltender Brandon Bussi was instrumental in this win, producing an impeccable performance with 36 saves – his first shutout of the 2023-24 season.
The Providence Bruins’ offensive prowess was evident from the onset, with veteran forward Jayson Megna scoring the team’s first goal—his 14th of the season—at the 11:23 mark of the first period. Despite no goals in the second period, the Bruins came back powerfully in the third, delivering four goals and solidifying their victory before an audience of 9,764 at the Amica Mutual Pavillion.
The third period saw a flurry of activity from the Bruins. Forward Oskar Steen launched the onslaught at the 3:58 mark, scoring his fifth goal of the season, assisted by Patrick Brown and Anthony Richard. At the 13:45 mark, Joey Abate followed suit, netting his third goal of the year, with assists from John Beecher and Alec Regula. John Beecher then scored his own goal, his fourth of the season, at the 15:37 mark, with Joey Abate providing the assist. The final goal of the game came from Georgii Merkulov at the 19:28 mark, his 23rd of the season, assisted by Jayson Megna and Fabian Lysell.
This victory marked Bussi’s 18th win of the season, as well as his third shutout in his American Hockey League career. The undrafted goaltender from Western Michigan was a dominant force throughout the game, making a series of remarkable saves within the opening three minutes. With a record of 18-9-3, a goals-against-average of 2.63, and a .912 save percentage, Bussi has proven to be a crucial asset to the Providence Bruins. Alongside Michael DiPietro, they form one of the best goaltending tandems in the AHL.
Here are some Providence Bruins currently on point streaks: Georgii Merkulov is on a two-game point streak, Jayson Megna is on a two-game point streak, John Beecher is on a two-game point streak, Fabian Lysell is on a two-game point streak, Oskar Steen is on a two-game point streak, and veteran Patrick Brown is on a two-game point streak.
Up next for the Bruins is a match against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this coming Friday night. Currently sitting comfortably in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 35-17-3-2 regular season record and 75 points, the Providence Bruins are nine points ahead of third-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. With 15 games remaining in the season, the Bruins are on track to secure a Calder Cup Playoff first-round bye as they wait for the outcome of the Charlotte Checkers vs. Hartford Wolf Pack best-of-three series.
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