By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Last night at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut, the Providence Bruins started another back-to-back with a 2-0 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack. After going 1-2 in their first three road games of the 2026-27 American Hockey League season, the Bruins return home to welcome the Utica Comets, look to avenge their season-opening loss, and regain momentum.
The Bruins host the Comets at Amica Mutual Pavilion, with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Tonight marks the second meeting of the season between the Bruins and Comets, and the second in Providence, Rhode Island, in 22 days.
The Bruins put in a solid 60-minute effort last night, but still fell to the Wolf Pack. The two teams remained scoreless through the second intermission, then Wolf Pack forward Liam Greentree scored a power play goal 57 seconds into the third period. Despite constant pressure on Wolf Pack goaltender James Reimer, he played excellently and recorded a 35-save shutout. Forward Carey Terrance iced the game with an empty-net goal, and forward Glenn Gawdin recorded an assist on both third-period goals.
Simon Zajicek made 15 saves in the loss. In six periods against the Wolf Pack this season, the Bruins’ offense failed to score. The Bruins had a great chance to tie the game on a third-period power play after Greentree’s goal, but they failed to score and went 0-for-3 on the power play last night.
A Look at the Opponent
After getting blanked 4-0 against the Laval Rocket this past Saturday, the Comets rebounded in their last game with a 5-3 road win against the Rochester Americans this past Wednesday. The Comets sit in sixth place in the North Division with a 4-1 record, an early surprise this season after missing the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Forward Lenni Hameenaho leads the Comets with five points, and his three goals tie with forward Marc McLaughlin for the most on the roster. Forwards Gabe Klassen and Ben Steeves each have two goals. Goaltenders David Rittich and Jakub Malek have formed a solid duo this season, having a combined 2.20 GAA and a .903 save percentage. Rittich has won all three starts, posting a 2.00 GAA and a .915 save percentage. Together, Rittich and Malek have allowed 11 goals this season, tied for the second-best in the AHL. Rittich and Malek’s goaltending has helped the Comets early this season, despite the team’s offense scoring a combined 13 goals, tied for the Eastern Conference’s lowest total.
A Tough First Game
The Bruins hosted the Comets for the season opener on Oct. 2. The Comets won 2-1, spoiling the home crowd’s opening night. The Bruins trailed 2-0 at the second intermission after goals from Klassen and Steeves. Forward Brendan Gaunce scored in the third period to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Bruins couldn’t finish the comeback. Rittch made 20 saves to earn the Comets’ win, while Jiri Patera made 22 saves in defeat.
Leave a Reply