By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
The Providence Bruins began the 2026-27 American Hockey League season with two home losses to the Utica Comets and Springfield Thunderbirds. After not playing since Sunday afternoon, Providence welcomed the Hartford Wolf Pack to start a three-game home weekend. In the first of 12 meetings this season against an Atlantic Division rival, Providence’s goaltending continued to play well, but the offense stayed quiet yet again.
Hartford defeated Providence 2-0 at Amica Mutual Pavilion. With the loss, Providence fell to 0-3. Through three games, Providence has scored just one goal and was shut out for the second consecutive game. After last season’s tremendous depth, Providence’s depth is now a major concern, with just one goal scored in three games.
First Period
After a slow start for both teams, Providence got a power play opportunity at 6:20 but failed to score. At 10:01, forward Glenn Gawdin scored against Providence goaltender Jiri Patera to give Hartford a 1-0 lead. Providence had a golden opportunity to get back when the team got a two-minute 5-on-3 power play just 2:02 after Gawdin’s goal. However, Providence failed to capitalize. Hartford had its first power play opportunity of the game before the period ended, but didn’t capitalize, and the score remained 1-0 heading into the first intermission.
Second Period
Penalties were a constant thing in the second period. At 10:52, Providence and Hartford combined for seven penalties, with five called on Providence. However, Providence killed off every penalty it was called for. With 29.4 seconds remaining, Gawdin was called for a delay-of-game penalty, but Providence failed to score before the period ended, and Hartford still led 1-0 heading into the second intermission. The period saw eight penalties combined.
Third Period
Providence started the third period on the power play for the first 1:31 but failed to score. Six minutes into the period, Providence got another power play opportunity when Hartford forward Brody Lamb was called for tripping, but it also failed. Providence finished going 0/7 on the power play. Providence made its last-ditch effort to tie the game by pulling Patera in the final minutes of regulation, but forward Justin Dowling scored an empty-net goal with 11 seconds left to ice the game and give Hartford the 2-0 victory.
Forward Taylor Raddysh recorded two assists for Hartford, and goaltender Callum Tung recorded a 28-save shutout. In defeat, Patera made 23 saves. Patera has made 45 saves and allowed just three goals in his first two starts, so he’s looked sharp.
Providence’s Next Opponent
Providence returns to action tomorrow night, hosting the Charlotte Checkers in the second game of the three-game home weekend. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Charlotte split its first two games of the season against the Hershey Bears at Giant Center this past weekend. Forward Nate Smith leads Charlotte in goals and points with three goals. Providence won all four games against Charlotte last season, outscoring them 18-6.
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