By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Providence Bruins recently swept their final three-game weekend of the season to clinch the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, as the American Hockey League’s best team in 2026. Providence has earned 110 points this season. Now, Providence will play its final road game of the season against the Utica Comets at Adirondack Bank Center. Puck drop for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Providence grinded out a tough 1-0 shutout win this past Sunday against the Springfield Thunderbirds at home to clinch the AHL’s best record for 2026. After two scoreless periods, Riley Tufte scored the only goal in the game with 8:31 remaining in regulation. Goaltender Michael DiPietro made 20 saves to secure his 34th win and third shutout of the season.
Providence made AHL and team history with its win on Sunday. This season marks the fourth time in Providence history that they finished with the AHL’s best record. This season also marks the highest single-season point percentage in Providence history. Providence’s 54 wins this season are the most for any AHL team for a 72-game season. Providence needs to win its next two games against Utica to tie the franchise record for most wins in a single season with 56.
Yesterday, Providence made two big moves to its roster. The first was recalling 20-year-old defenseman Loke Johansson from the ECHL’s Maine Mariners, and signing 27-year-old forward Max Andreev to a professional tryout. Johansson recorded zero points in 12 AHL games he’s played in Providence this season and hasn’t played in the AHL since Dec. 20, but he has recorded four points with a +3 rating in 36 games with the Mariners. Andreev has spent the whole season with the Mariners, recording 62 points to be tied for first on the roster.
A Look at the Opponent
Utica is mathematically still alive to make the 2026 playoffs as the North Division’s sixth seed with 67 points. However, Utica has to win both games against Providence this weekend and needs the Rochester Americans to lose all three of their remaining games in regulation to make the playoffs. Utica earned a 3-0 shutout win this past Wednesday against the Belleville Senators to remain alive in the playoff race.
Utica doesn’t have a single 40-point player on its roster. Xavier Parent’s 38 points lead Utica this season. Angus Crookshank’s 24 goals lead Utica, and his 35 points are second on the roster. Goaltenders Jakub Malek and Nico Daws have formed a steady duo as well. Malek recorded a 25-save shutout against Belleville.
Providence’s Success Against Utica is Obvious
This season, Providence and Utica have played each other four times. All four games resulted in Providence winning. Three of the four games this season have been decided by one goal, so Utica has given Providence a tough time. The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 3-2 shootout win for Providence on the road on April 1.
John Farinacci and Matej Blumel were Providence’s goal scorers in the win. Blumel scored the sixth-round game-winning goal in the shootout for Providence in the end. DiPietro made 23 saves to earn the win.
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