By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Providence Bruins headed into Sunday afternoon for a clash against the Springfield Thunderbirds to conclude their final three-game weekend of the 2025-26 American Hockey League season. Despite the five losses in 11 meetings against Springfield this season before today’s game, Providence earned a pivotal 1-0 shutout win against Springfield at Amica Mutual Pavilion to close out the season series.
Providence extended its winning streak to three games and improved to 54-14-2-0 overall on the season. The win today helped Providence clinch the Mcgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as the AHL’s best team. Providence now has 110 points this season, but today’s win was a tough one to grind out.
The First 40 Minutes Were a Stalemate
Through two periods, Providence and Springfield were scoreless. Providence applied pressure throughout both periods, recording 20 shots on goal against Springfield goaltender Georgi Romanov heading into the second intermission. Springfield gave Providence difficult games throughout the season, and Romanov’s goaltending gave the team the belief to split the season series.
One Period Decided the Game
Providence and Springfield were scoreless past halfway through the third period. With 8:31 remaining in regulation, Riley Tufte scored his 32nd goal of the season to give Providence a 1-0 lead. Tufte’s incredible season scoring goals arrived at the right time for Providence in a tie game.
Behind Tufte and goaltender Michael DiPietro, Providence stood tall to earn the win. DiPietro made 20 saves to record his third shutout and 34th win of the season. AHL MVP talks for DiPietro continue to rise with another dominant game when Providence was seeking to clinch the AHL’s best record.
AHL and Team History Made by Providence
Providence’s 54th win of the season meant AHL history. Providence broke the record for most wins recorded in a 72-game AHL season, which dates back to the 2022-23 season. Providence also broke the franchise record for the highest point percentage in one season.
Providence made more team history today by clinching the AHL’s best record. This season marks the fourth time in Providence history that the team clinched the AHL’s best record, and the first since the 2012-13 season. Providence can tie the franchise record for most wins in a season with 56 if they win its next two games to close out the season. The 56 wins were set by Providence back in the 1998-99 season.
Final Games of the Season
Providence will be back in action with a back-to-back this weekend against the Utica Comets. Puck drop for Friday’s game is scheduled at 7:05 p.m. ET at Adirondack Bank Center. Puck drop for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Against Utica this season, Providence has won all four games, but three have been decided by one goal. In the last meeting against Utica on April 1, Providence won 3-2 in a shootout on the road. John Farinacci and Matej Blumel scored the goals for Providence in the win. Blumel scored the shootout winner in the sixth round, and DiPietro made 23 saves in the game.
Leave a Reply