By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Although it wasn’t the 2026-27 American Hockey League regular season opener, the Providence Bruins were eager to return to action, playing their first preseason game of 2026 against the Springfield Thunderbirds. Even in the preseason, Providence wanted a win against the team that eliminated them from the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs, and they earned a tough road win. In a tough game, Providence would grind out a road win, and now it’s one more dress rehearsal before the real games count.
Providence hosts Springfield at Amica Mutual Pavilion, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Tonight’s preseason game concludes the home-and-home series between Providence and Springfield.
Last night at MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, Providence earned a 4-3 overtime win over Springfield. Despite Providence’s major offseason roster haul, last night gave new players a chance to get their feet wet in the AHL. It wouldn’t take long for new players to make their presence felt.
Forward Robert Cronin, who hasn’t played an AHL game in his career, scored the opening goal on the power play just 1:14 into the game against Springfield goaltender Parker Gahagen to give Providence a 1-0 lead. Cronin spent all of last season in the ECHL with the Maine Mariners and recorded 56 points. Scoring quickly is a good sign for a young forward and a good sign for what’s to come. With 4:20 remaining in the first period, forward Kalle Vaisanen, who spent last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, scored to extend Providence’s lead to 2-0, which was the score heading into the first intermission.
The second period was scoreless between Providence and Springfield. As in the first period, Providence scored early to start the third period. Forward Ryan Tattle, who recorded zero points and played just five AHL games for Providence last season, scored 50 seconds into the third period to extend Providence’s lead to 3-0. Then, Providence faced a scare late in the period. Springfield forward Chris Wagner snapped Simon Zajicek’s shutout with 7:15 remaining in regulation.
Less than two minutes later, forward Matthew Demelis scored to cut Providence’s lead to 3-2. With 1:20 remaining in regulation, forward Justin Carbonneau scored for Springfield to tie the game at three. Springfield scored three goals in a span of 5:55 to force overtime, but a costly mistake by Springfield helped Providence. Just 1:12 into overtime, Carbonneau was called for a slashing penalty. Then, another new player made an impact for Providence.
Fifty-seven seconds into the power play, forward Cross Hanas scored Providence’s overtime winner. Hanas spent last season in the AHL with the Texas Stars. Three of Providence’s four goals came from players who didn’t play a game for the team last season, and they made an immediate impact. Hanas recorded a two-point game, including an assist on Cronin’s goal. Forward Max Andreev was the only other player with two points, recording two assists. Zajicek looked solid, making 25 saves to earn the win.
Tonight’s game for Providence offers another chance for players to prove their worth and earn a roster spot before the season opener on Oct. 2 at home against the Utica Comets. Tonight also gives Providence a chance to build momentum before the season opener and close out the preseason perfectly by earning two wins against the team that eliminated them in last season’s playoffs.
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