By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Providence Bruins began a three-game home weekend two nights ago after dropping their first two games of the 2026-27 American Hockey League season. The Bruins opened the weekend with a 2-0 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday, then defeated the Charlotte Checkers 6-2 last night to win their first game of the season. The final game of the three-game weekend awaits the Bruins against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, with a chance to cap off the weekend on a high note.
The Bruins host the Penguins at Amica Mutual Pavilion with puck drop scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET. Today is the first of four meetings between the Bruins and Penguins this season.
Last night, the Bruins finally broke through to win their first game against the Checkers. After trailing 1-0 just 1:35 into the game, the Bruins scored two goals before the first period ended from forwards Brendan Gaunce and Mikey Eyssimont. After each team scored once in the second period, the Bruins scored three goals in the third. Two of the three goals were empty-netters that helped players reach milestones.
Goaltender Simon Zajicek made 30 saves to earn his first win as a Bruin, but he got credited on the Bruins’ empty-net goal to make it 5-2. Eyssimont scored the empty-net goal to make it 6-2, completing his hat trick. A goalie goal and a hat trick in the same game is incredibly rare, but the Bruins did it last night. Trent Whitfield also earned his first win as Bruins head coach.
Despite the milestones in the team’s first win, the Bruins are still struggling on the power play through four games this season. The Bruins went 0/5 on the power play against the Checkers, which included a four-minute double-minor power play in the second period while up 3-1. Combined this season, the Bruins are 0/20 on the power play. The Bruins remain one of three AHL teams that haven’t scored a power play goal. The Bruins had a double-mino
A Look at the Opponent
The Penguins enter today’s game with a 1-1-1 record. The Penguins lost their first two games by one goal but dominated the Wolf Pack, winning 7-1 on the road in Hartford. The Penguins scored seven unanswered goals after trailing 1-0 heading into the first intermission. The Penguins scored five goals in the second period, then scored twice in 50 seconds less than three minutes into the third.
Forward Avery Hayes leads the Penguins with three assists and five points, while forward Atley Alvert leads the team with three goals. Goaltenders Joel Blomqvist and Taylor Gauthier have a combined 2.31 GAA. Blomqvist started for the Penguins last night against the Wolf Pack and made 24 saves.
Last Season’s Results
The Bruins and Penguins met four times last season, and the Penguins won three. In the four games, the Bruins’ offense struggled against the Penguins, scoring five goals combined. In the two Providence meetings, the Bruins scored just one goal. However, after last night’s win, the Bruins hope to turn the tables on the Penguins this afternoon.
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