By: Tim A Richardson | Follow Me On Twitter @TimARichardson
Ladies and gentlemen, week two of the AHL season has arrived. The Providence Bruins skate into it 2-0 (4 points). That is good for first in the Atlantic Division and first in the Eastern Conference. Our boys in black and gold are coming off a week that saw them beat Bridgeport 3-1 before defeating the Springfield Thunderbirds 4-3. The Bruins have three games this weekend you won’t want to miss.
The hockey action starts on Friday, October 21, 2022, when the Bridgeport Islanders come to town to take on the Bruins at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The weekend continues on Saturday, October 22, 2022, when the Utica Comets travel to Providence to take on the Bruins at the Dunk. The weekend ends with another home game on Sunday, October 23, 2022, when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town to battle our Bruins. Don’t miss a minute of the action.
Friday, October 21, 2022, Providence Bruins vs. Bridgeport Islanders (HOME)
The Friday battle marks the second of 12 that Bridgeport and Providence will have this season. Our boys in black and gold won game one 3-1, getting goals from Georgii Merkulov, Fabian Lysell, and Chris Wagner.
The Islanders finished last 31-30-7-4 (73 points). That was good for sixth in the Atlantic Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Providence went 6-6 against the New York affiliate last season. Over the past five seasons, the Bruins are 30-18-5-4 against Bridgeport, including 16-9-3-1 at the Dunk. The Islanders would make it to the Atlantic Division semifinals, where they fell to Charlotte in four games. They are 1-1 (2 points) to start the season. That is good for fourth in the Atlantic Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference. This game should be fun and tightly contested!
Saturday, October 22, 2022, Providence Bruins vs. Utica Comets (HOME)
The Saturday night contest marks the first of six the Utica Comets and the Providence Bruins will play this season. The New Jersey affiliate was 43-20-8-1 (95 points) last year. That was good for first the North Division and first in the Eastern Conference. They also boasted one of the best defenses in the AHL, giving up only 2.86 goals a game. They would lose to the Rochester Americans in the North Division Semifinals. The Providence Bruins went 0-3-1 against the Comets last season. Over the past five seasons, they have an 8-4-1 record. It should be an exciting game from the Dunk!
Sunday, October 23, 2022, Providence Bruins vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (HOME)
The Sunday afternoon battle game marks the first of six the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Providence Bruins will have this year. The Pittsburgh affiliate went 35-33-4-4 (78 points) last season. That was good for fourth in the Atlantic Division and tenth in the Eastern Conference. Though they made the playoffs, they would get swept in the second round by the Springfield Thunderbirds. Providence went 4-2 against the Penguins in 2021-2022. They have a 14-5-2-2 record against them over the past five seasons.
My Players To Watch This Weekend
Up Front
Georgii Merkulov came to the Bruins last season as an undrafted NCAA free agent. He joined Providence after a successful year at Ohio State University. The talented forward has started the year hot, scoring two goals in his first two games.
On The Blue Line
Kai Wissmann came to the Bruins this off-season. The young defenseman spent the last seven seasons with Eisbaren Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Germany’s top league. He’s a defensive-minded defenseman and has played well in two games. Look for him this weekend.
In Net
Keith Kinkaid is a name you probably recognize. The veteran goalie made his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils in 2012-2013. He spent the bulk of last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He played exceptionally well in his first game with Providence, stopping 42 of the 43 shots he faced on opening night in the 3-1 victory against Bridgeport. Look for him this weekend.
The AHL season is in full swing. I hope everyone enjoyed the opening weekend. The Providence Bruins played as well as you could want to start the year. Enjoy the games this weekend! Feel free to send me any comments or questions on Twitter. As always, GO, Bs, GO!
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