By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Providence Bruins have played the first two games of their final three-game weekend of the 2025-26 American Hockey League season. Today, the final game of the weekend for Providence has arrived, and it’s a showdown against a team that has given them trouble all season, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Puck drop for today’s game is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Providence began its three-game weekend with a 4-1 road win at PeoplesBank Arena against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday night, then won 6-3 last night at home against the Rochester Americans to now have 108 points on the season. After the Grand Rapids Griffins lost 5-2 last night to the Chicago Wolves, Providence has a five-point cushion for the AHL’s best record, with each team having three games remaining in the season. In last night’s win against Rochester, Providence scored two goals in each period and was solid throughout.
Georgii Merkulov, Matej Blumel, Fabian Lysell, Riley Tufte, Patrick Brown, and Christian Wolanin each recorded a two-point game. Lysell made his return to the lineup for the first time since March 14 after suffering a concussion and scored two goals in the win, including the game-winning goal. Brown scored his 20th goal of the season, and goaltender Simon Zajicek made 21 saves to earn his 14th win of the season.
A Look at the Opponent
Springfield enters today in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with 68 points. Springfield suffered a tough 3-1 loss at home last night to Hartford, the Atlantic Division’s last-placed team. Last night’s loss for Springfield ended its five-game winning streak. Springfield trailed 3-0 just 9:40 into the first period, then Hugh McCing scored to cut the deficit to 3-1 before the period ended. However, Hartford goaltender Callum Tung was impressive against Springfield by making 36 saves.
Chris Wagner’s 24 goals and 45 points each lead Springfield this season, leading by example as the team’s captain. Wagner is the only 40-point player on Springfield’s roster. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki’s 18 goals and 39 points are each second on Springfield’s roster. Goaltending has been an issue for Springfield this season, as its top two goaltenders, Vadim Zhenerko and Georgi Romanov, each have a GAA of at least 3.05.
Springfield Has Been Challenging for Providence
Despite having the AHL’s best record, Providence has struggled against Springfield this season. In 11 meetings against Springfield, Providence has won six. Providence’s five losses against Springfield are the most they have against any AHL team played this season.
Providence and Springfield split their four meetings in March. In the last meeting between the two teams on March 29, Springfield won 4-2 on the road. Springfield scored the first four goals of the game, then Providence got two goals from Riley Duran and Merkulov late in the third period, but it was too little too late for a comeback win. Zajicek also made 38 saves to earn the loss, and Zherenko made 35 saves to earn the win.
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