By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
This past Sunday in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the Providence Bruins began November off strongly with a dominating 8-0 win against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at PPL Center. Tonight, the Bruins play their first game of the American Hockey League season in Canada as they take on the Hamilton Hammers, and it’s their chance to keep their offense red hot.
The Bruins take on the Hammers at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Tonight is the first of two meetings this season between the Bruins and Hammers, and the only one played in Hamilton. After tonight, the Bruins and Hammers won’t meet again until March 12 at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Bruins began the season losing six of their first eight games. Now, the Bruins are on a three-game winning streak. Over the past three games, the Bruins have scored 20 goals. In their last two road games, the Bruins have scored 15 goals. In their last game this past Sunday, the Bruins dominated the Phantoms by defeating them 8-0 win on the road to improve to 5-6 overall this season.
Twelve different Bruins recorded at least one point. Forward Alex Steeves led the way with a five-point game, including four assists. Brendan Gaunce recorded a three-point game with two goals. Forwards Dans Locmelis and Lukas Reichel each scored a goal and added an assist. Defenseman Jordan Harris recorded two assists, and goaltender Jiri Patera made 21 saves to record his third win of the season and his first shutout as a Bruin.
A Look at the Opponent
The Hammers enter tonight’s game in last place in the North Division with a 3-8-0-2 record. After Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Toronto Marlies, the Hammers are on a three-game losing streak. The Hammers are the worst team in the Eastern Conference, and the third-worst overall team in the AHL with eight points. Offensively and defensively, the Hammers have struggled through 13 games. The Hammers’ 31 goals are tied for the lowest in the Eastern Conference, while the team’s 53 goals allowed are the most in the AHL.
Forward Liam Foudy has been one of the Hammers’ few bright spots, leading the team with eight assists and 11 points. Forward Pierre Engvall’s five assists and seven points are each second on the Hammers’ roster. Forwards Mitchell Chaffee and Matthew Highmore are tied for the most goals on the Hammers, with four each. Goaltenders Josh Kotai and Vitek Vanacek have struggled, posting a combined 3.87 GAA and .872 save percentage.
Last Season’s Dominance
After 25 years of playing in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Bridgeport Islanders relocated this past offseason to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and were renamed the “Hamilton Hammers.” While they were the “Islanders,” the Bruins played them 12 times last season. Overall, the Bruins beat the Islanders 11 times, including five of the six road games. However, despite losing 11 times, the Islanders played the Bruins tough, as six of the games were decided by one goal.
Leave a Reply