Providence has itself a tough weekend, drops two of three

(This piece was written by Gary Azera.)

The Providence Bruins had a rough weekend, losing 2 of 3 games. Shorthanded due to guys like Zane McIntyre, Austin Czarnik and Danton Heinen being called up to the NHL, the Bruins simply couldn’t get it together.

Providence began its weekend at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Friday with a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The Bruins were without Jeremy Lauzon and Peter Cehlarik, as they were out due to injuries.

Both teams started the game with some heavy hitting, pushing and shoving between whistles. Eventually, Providence enforcer Sena Acolatse fought Bridgeport’s Ross Johnson, earning a 2 minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, 5 minutes for fighting, and a 10 minute misconduct.

Bridgeport’s Sebastian Aho scored the first and only goal of the game midway through the first, assisted by Casey Bailey and John Stevens.

Providence was very lucky to only allow one goal the entire game, as Bridgeport had many chances throughout.

Goaltender Dan Vladar showed true resilience with save after save. Vladar stopped 31 out of 32 for Providence and earned the third star of the game for his efforts.

However, his counterpart, Bridgeport goalie Christopher Gibson, was one save better, stopping all 27 shots he faced and earning the first star of the game.

Saturday, Providence traveled to Hartford to face the Wolf Pack at the XL Center. Lauzon and Cehlarik were still out for Saturday’s games with injuries, and goaltender Jordan Binnington got the start for Providence.

Providence drew first blood as Zach Senyshyn scored 5 minutes into the first, assisted by Colton Hargrove. The Bruins scored again 2 minutes later on the power play, with Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson assisted by the returning Kenny Agostino and Matt Grzelcyk.

In the second period, Providence continued pushing with a goal by Josh Hennessy assisted by Acolatse and Tommy Cross five minutes into the frame.

Providence added two more goals, scored by Kenny Agostino and Colton Hargrove, finishing with five in a 5-0 rout; Jordan Binnington stopped all 33 shots he faced.

Providence returned to the Dunkin Donuts Center Sunday to face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the second game of the weekend.

Returning from Boston earlier in the day, Goaltender Zane McIntyre got the start.

Providence played a solid opening half of the first period before Bridgeport’s Sebastian Aho opened up the scoring with a power play goal with 7 minutes left in the first. Steve Bernier added a second goal two minutes later, putting Bridgeport up 2-0.

The Sound Tigers would add four more goals, including two more by Aho for his first hat trick. The Bruins couldn’t muster much in the way of chances and fell by a score of 6-0. McIntyre allowed 6 goals on 37 shots.

The Bruins now sit 4th in the Atlantic Division.

For more game recaps and game previews on the Providence Bruins, check out the Something Bruin in PVD podcast on iTunes or like us at www.facebook.com/somethingbruininpvd.