By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
A strong goaltending duo is essential for any team aiming for a Calder Cup Playoff run. Last season, the Hershey Bears demonstrated this by ranking their goalies among the top two in nearly all goaltending statistics. Hunter Shephard and Clay Stevenson exemplified the level of performance needed from goalies to secure a Calder Cup victory.
This year, the Providence Bruins have a similar advantage with their goaltending tandem of Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro. Both have significant experience and consistently perform at a high level. Despite the ups and downs of the P-Bruins’ season, Michael DiPietro has remained the top goalie in the American Hockey League. At the same time, despite a rough start, Brandon Bussi has made impressive strides in his performance.
Michael DiPietro ranks among the top two in all AHL goaltending metrics. The former Team Canada netminder boasts an impressive 2.02 Goals Against Average, a .928 Save Percentage, and a record of 23-8-6. Although DiPietro is on the shorter side for a goalie, he plays with a commanding presence. He uniquely challenges shooters while maintaining technical soundness and quick lateral movement. DiPietro has been on the shelf lately with a nagging injury, but with six games remaining in the 2024-25 campaign, we believe he’ll be back in time before the Calder Cup Playoffs begin.
DiPietro, previously with the Vancouver Canucks, was acquired by the Boston Bruins in exchange for former second-round pick Jack Studnicka. His performance earned him a spot on the AHL Atlantic Division All-Star Team, where he received the CCM Top Goaltender Honors during the skills competition.
Brandon Bussi struggled at the beginning of the season, with a record of 0-4-1 in his first five starts. However, I believed he was too talented for a rough patch to define his season. The Sound Beach native faced unexpected setbacks from the organization.
The first was during the summer when the Boston Bruins traded for Joonas Korpisalo, and the second came just hours before the season opener when Jeremy Swayman re-signed. Despite this challenging start, Bussi has been outstanding, demonstrating why he deserves to be a starter for any team. This season, the Western Michigan alum has achieved a 2.79 Goals Against Average, a .907 Save Percentage, and a record of 14-14-1 in 31 games played this season.
The one-two punch that the Bruins have created is among the toughest in the AHL. Facing the Providence Bruins is sure to be a challenging matchup, regardless of which netminder starts in goal. The P-Bruins boast the second-best goal differential in the league, sitting at plus 45, just behind the Colorado Eagles, with a plus 66 goal differential. A significant factor in their success is that the Baby Bs possess the best defense in the AHL, primarily due to their outstanding goaltending.
Both goaltenders are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. I hope both players re-sign, but there is a hurdle at the top, despite their poor performances this season in Boston. Bussi and DiPietro have earned the opportunity to compete for a job in the National Hockey League, especially given their impressive play this season. Both are performing at their best, leading a depleted P-Bruins team into a Calder Cup playoff position.
Leave a Reply