By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
After suffering two disappointing defeats against the back-to-back champion Hershey Bears, the Providence Bruins aim to return to the win column as they face the Belleville Senators, the Ottawa Senators’ affiliate. This matchup marks the beginning of their three-game Canadian road trip. Coach Ryan Mougenel has chosen to start the in-form Michael DiPietro in goal, and with several lineup changes, the Bruins are ready to boost their offensive performance.
The Baby B’s began their road trip enthusiastically as rookie Joey Abate scored his first goal of the season with a wrist shot that slipped under the blocker of Senators goalie Leevi Marilainen. This early contribution was a pleasant surprise, as Abate needed to start performing offensively. Late in the first period, the P-Bruins adjusted their power play units, which proved effective. Riley Tufte scored his first goal as a Bruin, putting the B’s ahead 2-0 at the end of the first period.
The remainder of the game revolved around DiPietro, who excelled despite the numerous penalties the Bruins took. Providence committed seven penalties during the match, and Belleville capitalized on them. The Senators’ goals were scored during power plays, with Jeremy Davies and Cole Reinhardt netting goals to tie the game at two just before the third period.
The Senators dominated the third period, keeping the Bruins on their heels for the duration of the game. In overtime, the Providence Bruins started a player down but successfully killed off the penalty. The Bruins had one last opportunity to win the game with a brief power play, but time expired before they could convert.
Brett Harrison was the first player sent out in the shootout to set the tone, and he certainly did! He slid the puck through Marilainen’s five-hole with a slow, winding approach. After that, DiPietro made three consecutive saves, leading the Baby Bruins to a significant win that could set the tone for the rest of the season. The scoring came from all over the lineup tonight, making the victory even more impressive.
Last night marked the first game where Georgii Merkulov and Vinni Lettieri played on different lines. This change perplexed fans, as they were the only line consistently producing. However, it may have given the rest of the team the motivation they needed, resulting in a victory with contributions from various scorers.
Jordan Oesterle was again absent from the lineup, which raises concerns since he leads Providence in points this season. The last significant change involved Michael DiPietro starting in goal instead of his usual tandem partner, Brandon Bussi. These adjustments proved effective, but the future lineup decisions remain uncertain.
Last night, the Bruins experienced a barrage of penalties, severely affecting their performance throughout the game. Some of their usually calm players even commit unnecessary penalties. This pattern cannot continue, as the penalty kill faces several challenges. While the power play was adequate, the penalty kill struggled, highlighting the need for special teams to work harmoniously. Achieving this coordination will be crucial for the team’s success.
After securing two hard-fought points, the Bruins are set to play two more games on their Canadian road trip. They will face the Laval Rocket in a back-to-back series in Quebec. This will be an excellent opportunity for them to seek a rematch against the Rocket. You can watch the game on FloHockey at 7:00 PM this Friday.
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