Affiliate Report: Swayman, Senyshyn stay hot in weekend split

The Providence Bruins remain in command of the Atlantic Division after securing a weekend split against its Connecticut rivals thanks to some late heroics on Saturday in Hartford.

A three-goal third period propelled Providence past the host Wolfpack, 4-2. The win came two days after a tough loss to Bridgeport at home, 3-2, with the Sound Tigers scoring a pair of power-play tallies in the final frame.

In the opening game of the week, Providence cruised out to a 2-1 lead after a period thanks to goals from Brady Lyle for a second-straight game and Joona Koppanen. Defenseman Josiah Didier picked up an assist in his season debut, as did Paul Carey and Zach Senyshyn.

Dan Vladar played the game in goal for Providence, looking sharp early and finishing the day with 27 saves. The wheels fell off in the third period, however, with a pair of untimely penalties both leading to power-play goals from Simon Holmstrom and Arnaud Durandeau.

Providence rebounded on Saturday at Hartford, getting two-point performances from four different players. Jack Ahcan led the way early, assisting on Senyshyn’s team-leading fourth goal of the season in the first period before adding his first goal of the year early in the third.

Paul Carey provided two assists during a three-goal third period, adding to his team-best eight on the year. Both Carey and Senyshyn extended their point streaks to five games in the win. Senyshyn also added a third-period assist.

Cameron Hughes picked up a pair of helpers as well, including the primary assist on Jakub Lauko’s game-winning goal midway through the final period.

Swayman, who made 27 saves in the victory, improved his record to 4-0-0 to start his rookie season and ranks 13th among all AHL goaltenders in goals against average (2.00) and 15th in save percentage (.929).

Player of the Week: Zach Senyshyn — The former first-round draft choice seems to have finally found his footing at the pro level and has put together quite the point-streak early in 2021. With a goal and two assists over the weekend, Providence’s leading scorer is vying for an NHL call-up in the near future.

Up next: It’s a quick turnaround for Providence, heading back to Hartford on Tuesday for a 1 PM puck drop against the Wolfpack.

That contest will be followed by a Thursday afternoon matchup with Bridgeport in Marlborough, Mass. to cap the week with faceoff set for 1 PM.