By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Through their first two games of the 2026-27 American Hockey League season, the Providence Bruins are struggling. Providence lost its first two games of the season at home this past Friday and Sunday. However, a three-game home weekend is a great way to get back on track against an Atlantic Division rival, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Providence hosts Hartford at Amica Mutual Pavilion with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Tonight marks the first of 12 meetings this season between Providence and Hartford, and it will be important for both teams.
Two games into the season, Providence’s offense has scored just one goal. After losing 2-1 to the Utica Comets in the season opener last Friday, Providence was blanked 2-0 by the Springfield Thunderbirds in its last game this past Sunday. New forward Brendan Gaunce scored Providence’s only goal of the season. If Providence has one bright spot two games into the season, it’s goaltending.
Goaltender Jiri Patera faced 24 shots on goal in the season opener, finishing with 22 saves against Utica, while Simon Zajicek allowed one goal and made 20 saves against Springfield. The best save between the two goaltenders in the first two games came when Zajicek robbed Springfield forward Dylan Peterson in the third period. Both goaltenders have shown they can be solid for this season, and it’s an early good sign. However, Providence’s offense has lacked goal-scoring support early into the season.
A Look at the Opponent
Hartford has won its first two games of the season, both on the road, a good head start after finishing last season with the worst AHL record, 60 points. Hartford won its first game of the season 5-2 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at PPL Center this past Saturday, then won 3-2 against the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins at Mohegan Sun Arena this past Sunday. Hartford’s eight goals in two games tie for the most in the Eastern Conference.
Seven players on Hartford’s roster have scored a goal this season, including forward Taylor Raddysh, who leads the team with two goals. Ten players have also recorded one point. Goaltenders Gabriel Carriere and Callum Tung each have a 2.00 GAA and a save percentage of .930 or better. In Hartford’s last game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Tung made 38 saves in the win.
Last Season’s Play & Early Important Game
Last season, Providence dominated the series against Hartford, winning eight of ten meetings. At Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence won four of the five meetings. However, even though Providence dominated Hartford last season, both teams have made roster changes since then, and both are off to different starts to the new season.
Providence is searching for its offensive identity, scoring one goal and losing its first two games, while Hartford has found excellent goaltending and offense in its first two wins. Even with Hartford’s strong goaltending, Providence has also gotten strong goaltending. Both teams will look to take control of the season series early tonight, as one team seeks its first win and the other aims to remain undefeated.
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