By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
Michael DiPietro, a reliable goalie in the American Hockey League for years, is now one of the best statistical goalies in the league. This year, he’s poised to make a run at the AHL Goalie of the Year award, a prospect that should excite fans and analysts alike. The Providence Bruins will be counting on him and Brandon Bussi to be at their best if they want to capture the Calder Cup at the end of the season.
Last season, DiPietro was a top-15 goalie in the league. With his .918 save percentage, Michael was dominating the competition. The AHL schedule can be grueling, so it was vital for both Providence netminders to play well. Both goaltenders complement each other’s games and continue to do so this year. If you look at the back-to-back champion Hershey Bears, both goalies were ranked first and second in the league.
At the start of the season, DiPietro was challenged to secure the first win following a brutal loss on opening night to the Laval Rocket. Michael played at the Total Mortgage Arena, the home of the Bridgeport Islanders, and led the struggling Bruins to a 3-2 victory. He stopped 28 of the 30 shots from the Islanders. Providence only had 20 shots on goal in that game, and the ice was in Bridgeport’s favor all night.
During the preseason in Boston, we witnessed the Canadian goalie struggling with his confidence. Fans eagerly awaited his response after Pierre Engvall scored a soft goal early, just trickling a shot through the arm of DiPietro in the second period during his Bridgeport Islanders debut. The 6-foot-1 goaltender performed exceptionally well for the rest of the game, only letting in two goals in total. Even in the heat of the moment, Michael remained calm, and most importantly, his rebound control was impeccable. He looked like he was in mid-season form for his first game of the season.
Just over a week later, DiPietro would start his second game of the season, looking to tie up the season series against the Springfield Thunderbirds. This game was much different, as Providence started hot, scoring two goals in the first period. The P-Bruins would keep pressure on behind the phenomenal play of the Ottawa 76ers product. Whenever the Bruins found themselves in trouble, DiPietro was there to stop Springfield in their tracks. Michael had a massive part in the penalty kill, stopping every shot and ensuring the rebounds stayed away from the front of the net.
With a 2-0 lead, the Baby Bs were looking to secure the win with six minutes remaining in the third period. The T-Birds, seeming defeated, were given a golden opportunity when Fabian Lysell made a costly turnover, resulting in a breakaway. However, Michael DiPietro made an incredible glove save, preserving his shutout. With 24 saves, he completed the shutout and was awarded the second star of the night.
This week, Providence faced off against the two-time reigning champion Hershey Bears. DiPietro played very well in the 2-1 loss to the division leaders. He remains in the top 10 in the league, and the team will need him to continue his success on the upcoming Canadian road trip. As goalie partner Brandon Bussi tries to find his footing, it makes it critical that DiPietro keeps up his fantastic play.
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