By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
After a grand weekend sweep against their Connecticut rivals, the Bridgeport Islanders and Hartford Wolf Pack, the Providence Bruins are eager to keep their momentum going as they host the Cleveland Monsters tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The team has seen significant changes, but the core group remains intact and is ready to elevate its game as it faces another three-in-three weekend.
The Providence Bruins recently achieved a solid 4-2 victory over their rivals, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Goaltender Michael DiPietro’s outstanding performance allowed him to rise to the ranks of the Top Five goalies in the American Hockey League based on statistics. His exceptional play and consistency make him one of the most difficult goalies to face in the league.
Max Jones recorded his first point since being assigned to the Providence Bruins last Tuesday in this past game. Both Georgii Merkulov and Vinni Lettieri continued their point streaks by contributing assists. Additionally, Fabian Lysell had his best game of the season, doubling his points with two assists of his own.
The Cleveland Monsters are entering this game on a solid note, boasting a four-game winning streak. Their most recent victory was a Wednesday 3-2 win over the Toronto Marlies. The Monsters are in second place in the North Division, just three points behind the Laval Rocket. They are also tied with the Marlies for second place. The North Division is one of the most competitive divisions in the AHL this season.
Providence has some standout players heading into the game. Georgii Merkulov is currently on a five-game point streak, while Assistant Captain Vinni Lettieri has extended his point streak to four games after assisting Patrick Brown, who scored an empty-net goal to seal the victory against Hartford. Additionally, Jordan Oesterle has been called up to the Boston Bruins due to Hampus Lindholm’s injury. Oesterle was recognized as one of the top offensive defensemen in the league and contributed to the P-Bruins’ power play success. The team has also added a talented forward, Matthew Poitras, who has been sent down and will play in his first AHL game Today.
The Cleveland Monsters also boast several standout players this season. Trey Fix-Wolansky and Owen Sillinger lead the team in points, showcasing their impressive performances. Luca Del Bel Belluz and Rocco Grimaldi have also played exceptionally well lately. On defense, Denton Mateychuk is also recognized as one of the best offensive defensemen in the league. While Cleveland’s roster is filled with talent, their one notable weakness is goaltending; starter Jet Greaves has faced challenges, currently holding a 3.54 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
This will be an excellent opportunity for Providence to evaluate its performance against another skilled team, similar to the Laval Rocket, with whom they have struggled this season. If Providence plays as it did last week, this matchup could be very entertaining.
Catch the P-Bruins Tonight at 7 pm as they take on the Cleveland Monsters at the Amica Mutual Pavillion. The team looks to break into the top three in the Atlantic Division. With another solid performance this week, the Baby B’s can realistically challenge the Wilkes Barrie-Scranton Penguins for that top spot as soon as next week. Hopefully, Providence can parlay its recent success and keep building for the future.
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