By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
This past Sunday, the Providence Bruins ended March with a tough 4-2 loss at Amica Mutual Pavilion to the Springfield Thunderbirds, falling to 49-14-1-0 overall on the season. Now, the first April game has arrived for Providence tonight, and it’s a road game at Adirondack Bank Center against the Utica Comets. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and it’s the fourth and final meeting of the season between the two teams. Tonight also marks the start of a four-game road trip for Providence.
Providence had its four-game winning streak snapped with its loss to Springfield. Providence fell behind 4-0, which turned into too big a deficit. Providence goaltender Simon Zajicek was pressured throughout the game by facing 42 shots on goal by Springfield’s offense.
Providence did score two late goals in the third period from Riley Duran and Georgii Merkulov in a span of 1:56 in the final minutes of the period, but it was too little too late for a comeback win. However, a big positive came on Merkulov’s goal when James Hagens recorded the primary assist, marking his first assist in the American Hockey League. Hagens has recorded two points in three AHL games since joining Providence last week.
A look at the opponent
Utica has struggled this season, currently having a 25-30-5-4 overall record. Utica trails the Rochester Americans by six points for the North Division’s fifth seed. Still trying to fight for a spot in the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs, Utica has won its past three games, with the past two wins being on the road against the Cleveland Monsters at Rocket Arena this past weekend on a back-to-back.
Utica’s offense has struggled this season, with no player on the roster having recorded 35 points or 20 goals. Xavier Parent’s 34 points lead Utica, and his 19 goals are tied for the most on the roster along with Brian Halonen and Angus Crookshank. Utica’s goaltenders, Jakub Malik and Nico Daws, have also struggled this season, with both of their GAA’s being 2.80 or higher.
Eager to complete the sweep and make history
This season, Providence has owned the season series against Utica by winning all three games. The two most recent games were a home-and-home on a back-to-back less than two weeks ago. Providence won 4-3 in the first game of the back-to-back on March 20 on the road, then won 5-2 in the second game of the back-to-back the very next day at home. In the second game, Riley Tufte scored two goals for Providence.
Tonight, Providence is looking to win its 50th game of the season and eclipse the 100-point mark. Providence is looking for its fourth 50-win season and earning 100 points in a single season for the fifth time in team history. Providence currently sits with 49 wins and 99 points, which both lead the AHL this season, but the Grand Rapids Griffins trail by two points in the overall standings.
The 2012-13 season was the last time in which Providence won 50 games and recorded over 100 points in a single season. Providence still has a chance to make team history if they win its final eight games of the season to set a new team record for most wins in a season with 57. Providence’s team record for most wins in a single season is 56, which was set back in the 1998-99 season.
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