By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
After a triumphant weekend where the Providence Bruins emerged victorious over both Connecticut rivals at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the team is now geared up for a road trip this Wednesday to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Following this game, the Bruins will enjoy a day of rest before diving into a home-and-home series against the Hartford Wolfpack. The first game will unfold on Friday at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, while Saturday will mark the last home game for the Baby B’s until the new year. Providence is riding a seven-game winning streak, culminating in their 5-2 triumph over the resurgent Wolfpack.
The Providence Bruins have been on a roll, winning both games this season against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. These victories, achieved at the Amica Mutual Pavilion a month ago, started a remarkable journey for the Bruins. Despite a brief stumble against the Utica Comets, the team rallied to secure an impressive six-game winning streak in December, positioning them in second place in the Atlantic Division. In contrast, after facing the Bruins, the Phantoms found their footing, winning three consecutive games to close November. However, they have only secured one victory so far in December.
The opening game in the series was a dominant 3-0 victory, with Providence goaltender Brandon Bussi earning a shutout by stopping 30 shots. The following game was a thrilling overtime match, where the P-Bruins secured the win thanks to Georgii Merkulov, who managed to slip a wrist shot under the arm of Phantom goalie Parker Gahagen. This matchup is exciting for both teams as they look ahead to the new year.
The Wolfpack-Bruin rivalry has been intense this season, with the Pack eliminating the Baby Bs in last year’s playoffs. All three matchups this season have been physical and entertaining for the fans. Providence currently leads the series 2-1-0, with the most recent game taking place on Sunday, where the Bruins secured a convincing 5-2 victory.
Several Bruins players are currently thriving on the ice. Georgii Merkulov, Matthew Poitras, and Vinni Lettieri are the standout pairings for Coach Ryan Mougenel. Poitras is enjoying a six-game goal streak, with each goal being a fantastic shot. The chemistry among the line members has been impressive, as both Merkulov and Lettieri are on seven-game point streaks of their own. In their last game, the entire line achieved multi-point performances: Merkulov and Poitras each recorded a goal and an assist, while Lettieri contributed two assists. It would be great if this line could stay intact throughout the season, as their success is evident.
Fabian Lysell, another top prospect, had a very successful weekend. He scored a goal on Friday against the Bridgeport Islanders and recorded three assists on Sunday against the Wolfpack. After a challenging start to the season, Lysell is improving with each game.
Goaltending was a concern at the start of the season, as Brandon Bussi struggled initially. However, he has found his rhythm, winning his last three starts and allowing three or fewer goals in each game. Bussi also recorded a shutout against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Meanwhile, Michael DiPietro remains a top-five goalie in the league. If both goalies continue to perform at this level, the Bruins will keep climbing the standings in the Atlantic Division.
If the Baby B’s can sweep the week again, it will mean ten straight wins for the team heading into the Christmas break. Catch the Bruins this Wednesday against the Phantoms. The puck drops at 7:05 PM on Flo Hockey.
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