By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter / X @BlackAndGold277
The Providence Bruins are on the road tonight to face the Bridgeport Islanders at the Total Mortgage Arena in downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut. This is the second time in seven days that the top minor-pro affiliate of the Boston Bruins has traveled south to face the Islanders.
Tonight’s game is number two of 12 in the season, and the last time these American Hockey League teams faced each other, the Providence team came out on top with some overtime heroics courtesy of forward Matej Blumel, who scored his first of the season in the 3-2 victory.
Providence is currently tied for the Atlantic Division lead with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, with both clubs having a 2-0 record and four points. After what seemed like an offensive struggle the last time the Bruins and Islanders faced each other, it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of game the Bruins are going to bring. This past Sunday afternoon, the Providence offense was certainly on display in a 6-3 home opening victory at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
Bruins forwards Fabian Lysell, Matt Poitras, and Alex Steeves all had four-point nights against the Charlotte Checkers, along with goaltender Michael DiPietro stopping 34 of 37 shots for his first victory of the season. After a full week of practice, I’m sure head coach Ryan Mougenel and staff want to build off of that offensive momentum and carry that motto throughout the 2025-26 AHL regular season.
Looking at the Bridgeport Islanders, the team is currently sitting right behind the Providence team in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 1-0-1 record and three points on the year. Isles defenseman Marshall Warren leads the team in scoring with 2-2-4 numbers, forward Liam Foudy is next with 1-2-3 numbers, and finishing off the top-three Bridgeport scoring leaders is forward Matthew Highmore, who has 0-3-3 totals. Turning to who’s leading the way offensively for Providence, forward Lysell has 3-1-4 numbers, forward Alex Steeves has 1-3-4 numbers, and to cap off the top-three for the B’s, forwards Matthew Poitras has 0-4-4, and Georgii Merkulov has 1-3-4 totals.
Providence goaltender Michael DiPietro is expected to get the start in goal this evening vs. Bridgeport. DiPietro is 1-0-0 on the year and has a goals-against-average of 3.01 and a save percentage of .919 after playing in one game in this early season. With 12 games last season and one already in the books against Bridgeport, Providence is 12-1 in the last 13 games against the Islanders and looks to extend that solid play against the Atlantic Division rival when the puck drops at 7 pm.
If you happen to be traveling to see a hockey game or any other event at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. I highly recommend a pregame meal at Joseph’s Steakhouse. You can find this amazing restaurant at 360 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport, CT, and also check out the website HERE for the full menu and hours of operation.
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