By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Not playing a game since April 18, the Providence Bruins showed rust when the team fell 3-2 in Game 1 to begin the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs in their Atlantic Division Semifinals series against the Springfield Thunderbirds at home. Providence had a chance to regroup and get a much-needed win in Game 2 before the best-of-five series shifted to Springfield for Game 3.
In a chippy game throughout which saw a total of 28 penalty minutes, Providence defeated Springfield 2-1 at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Providence’s win evens the series at one and guarantees at least a fourth game to be played. Providence needed to get a win to avoid being on the brink of elimination. While it wasn’t the prettiest win, Providence will take it.
First Period
Providence’s offense generated quality scoring chances early in the first period. Then, a defensive lapse gave Springfield forward Chris Wagner a breakaway chance, but he was unable to score on Providence goaltender Michael DiPietro. Not too long after Wagner couldn’t score on his breakaway chance, forward Matej Blumel scored against Springfield goaltender Georgi Romanov 8:34 into the game to give Providence a 1-0 lead.
However, Providence’s lead was short-lived when Springfield forward Dillon Dube scored a power play goal to tie the game at one 2:56 after Blumel’s goal. Providence applied more offensive pressure after Dube’s goal, and forward Georgi Merkulov scored 2:32 later to give Providence a 2-1 lead. Merkulov’s goal was his first career AHL Playoff goal. Providence led 2-1 heading into the first intermission, outshooting Springfield 13-8.
Second Period
The second period was scoreless to keep Providence leading 2-1 over Springfield heading into the second intermission, but penalties on both teams made it absolutely chippy. During the period, both Providence and Springfield had four power play opportunities but failed to score. In total, during the period, ten combined penalties were called on both teams. Providence defenseman Billy Sweezey was called for an elbowing penalty in the final minute of the period. While Springfield didn’t score before the period ended, the team had 1:20 of power play time carry over to begin the third period.
Third Period
Providence began the third period by successfully killing off the remaining 1:20 of Sweezey’s penalty. After that, the rest of the period would be another stalemate, as in the second period. In the end, Providence’s defense and goaltending helped them secure the win, including killing off two Springfield power plays after Sweezey’s penalty expired.
After Dube scored on the power play in the first period, Providence killed off the remaining six power plays Springfield had. DiPietro was solid with making 27 saves to earn the win, including 13 saves in the third period alone. In a losing effort, Romanov was still solid for Springfield, making 29 saves.
The next two games of the series will be played in Springfield, Massachusetts. Game 3 of the series will resume on Tuesday night at MassMutual Center, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. In six road games against Springfield during the regular season, Providence won four, including the last, a 2-1 win on March 25.
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