Providence Bruins Secure a Playoff Spot Despite Challenging Week

By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky

After a successful week where the Providence Bruins traveled to Pennsylvania and won both games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The team then capped off their road trip in Charlotte before returning home to face the Hartford Wolfpack and the Springfield Thunderbirds. Unfortunately, Michael DiPietro was unavailable this week following his one-period performance against the Charlotte Checkers, during which he made eight saves out of nine attempts. It is believed that DiPietro is dealing with a lingering injury from when he left practice early in Wilkes-Barre. As a result, Brandon Bussi will be the primary starter for the time being, while the P-Bruins seek a backup goaltender.

The team encountered challenges in Charlotte, as Vinni Lettieri, Patrick Brown, Ian Mitchell, Michael Callahan, and Fabian Lysell were unavailable and remained in Boston. Additionally, injuries sidelined John Farinacci and Michael DiPietro, preventing them from participating this week. Furthermore, Tyler Pitlick and Jake Gaudet were unavailable during the first half of the week.

Since DiPietro could not play on Wednesday, P-Bruins General Manager Evan Gold announced the signing of Pierce Charleson to a Professional Tryout Agreement. Charleson, a goaltender, previously played for Michigan State, Alaska Fairbanks, and Niagara before signing a contract in the East Coast Hockey League with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits this season. He was brought in due to his proximity to Charlotte and served as a backup for the night before being released. Following the team’s return to Providence, they called up Nolan Maier, the starting goaltender from their ECHL Affiliate, the Maine Mariners.

The P-Bruins had a few opportunities to clinch the playoffs during Tuesday and Wednesday’s games but squandered both. Both games were boring, and the Bruins looked tired in the matchups. The team was not a hundred percent. The first game was a 6-3 loss on Tuesday, and then the team suffered a 5-2 loss on Wednesday. I do not put too much weight into these games, as the P-Bruins were clearly under weird circumstances, but it also means they needed to come home and find a way to clinch.

On Saturday, the team received some reinforcements with the return of Tyler Pitlick, and they signed former 7th-round pick Jake Schmaltz from the University of North Dakota. Schmaltz made his Providence debut against the Wolfpack. The P-Bruins only needed one point to secure a playoff spot. Still, things weren’t looking good as the team struggled to score against Hartford Netminder Dylan Garand until Tyler Pitlick finally managed to break through in the third period, tying the game at 1-1. Fortunately, Brandon Bussi played exceptionally well, keeping the team competitive until Jaxon Nelson scored his second goal in as many games, giving the P-Bruins a 2-1 lead. The score held, and the Baby Bs clinched their spot in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. Bussi made 28 saves on 29 shots in the victory.

On Sunday, the Providence Bruins faced off against the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds were eager to earn any points they could, as they were vying for the final playoff spot. Brandon Bussi was starting in goal for the fourth time this week. Unfortunately, the Thunderbirds struck first, taking a 1-0 lead with a rebound goal scored by Mackenzie MacEachern. With just 35 seconds remaining in the period, Tyler Pitlick blocked a shot, went down, and managed to fire a shot past Thunderbirds’ goaltender Vladim Zherenko, tying the game at one as the teams headed into intermission.

The game remained scoreless as the teams headed into the third period. Halfway through the third period, Matthew Poitras scored on a rebound courtesy of Georgii Merkulov to take the 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, the T-Birds would strike with the net empty to tie the game at two. With just 18 seconds left, the T-Birds would score again to crush the Bruins and win 3-2. It was a fitting end to a disastrous week, but at least the P-Bruins secured a playoff birth. Bussi stopped 26 of 28 shots in the loss.

This week’s storyline highlights that the P-Bruins have finally secured a playoff spot with seven games remaining in the season. With a comfortable lead over the teams trailing behind, these upcoming games hold less significance. Clinching this spot at home, in front of enthusiastic Providence fans, is a significant achievement for the team. Now, the P-Bruins have the flexibility to adjust their lineups as needed to rest players who are not 100%. This roller coaster of a season isn’t over yet, and I’m sure they wouldn’t want it to be any other way.

Catch the Providence Bruins next week, as they play three games in three days. They will face the Checkers twice at home and head to Utica, New York, to take on the Comets at the Adirondack Bank Center. While these games may not have significant implications, the team still strives to earn points for a first-round bye. We hope the players will be well-rested after this four-game week and return determined to succeed.