Providence, RI:The Bruins split the weekend series, going 1-1 against the high-flying Springfield Thunderbirds and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. This upcoming weekend, the Baby B’s are heading out to Charlotte for a date with the Checkers–one of the best teams in the AHL. They’ll play two games in Charlotte on Friday and Saturday, returning home to the Ocean State on Sunday.

Taming Wild Animals:

The P-Bruins played Saturday 10/27 and Sunday 10/28 against the high-octane Springfield Thunderbirds and Bridgeport Sound Tigers respectively, playing Springfield at the MassMutual Center and Bridgeport at the Dunk for the annual “Pink in the Rink” game. Providence played neck and neck with Springfield, but they couldn’t hold on near the end, ultimately losing 4-2.

In the loss, Zane Mclntyre didn’t seem like his usual self and allowed 3 goals on 21 shots against. Despite leaving Springfield empty, Providence’s penalty kill was effective, killing all 3 penalties. The Providence offense came charging out of the gate in the third, tying it up at 2 with a goal under 5 minutes in. Springfield had the last laugh, however–a late goal at 16:16 from Harry Zolnierczyk put the Thunderbirds ahead. After than, an empty-net goal from Springfield Captain Paul Thompson capped off the loss.

Finally, Providence returned home for a rematch with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after last facing them at the Dunk for their first home win. Providence shut down the Sound Tigers, allowing only one goal and chasing them out of Providence with a 6-1 thrashing. Cameron Hughes scored his first professional hat-trick during the second period. Jan Kovar set Hughes up at 3:36, Cave-to-Fyten-to-Hughes for his second at 6:41, and incredibly, a penalty shot at 12:43 gave Hughes the hat-trick.

Providence Bruins Roster Notes:

Jeremy Lauzon returned briefly, but was recalled to Boston for the NHL Bruins trip to Raleigh. With both iterations of Bruins in the Carolinas, Lauzon may stay in the area if sent down to Providence and join the team later in the week.

Next up in the Merry-go-round of emergency basis call-ups, Colby Cave was called up to Boston on Monday morning. Cave leads Providence in scoring with 5 goals, 5 assists, and a total of 10 points on the young season. The organizational announcement did not specify who Cave would replace. Cave has since been returned to the Providence Bruins and will play in Charlotte.

Today, Ryan Donato has been sent down to the Providence Bruins. He will join the team in Charlotte and may play as early as Friday.

Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson has returned from a family matter in Sweden. was at practice for Tuesday.

Jordan Szwarz, Peter Cehlarik, and Emil Johansson attended practice Tuesday in red, non-contact jerseys.

Providence Bruins Line Combinations:

(In no particular order)

Blidh-Cave-Senyshyn

Fyten-Frederic-Hughes

Fitzgerald-Szwarz-Kovar

Cehlarik(Donato)-Pond-Kuhlman

Credit: Mark Divver, Providence Journal

Games Ahead:

The Providence Bruins will hit the road this weekend with back-to-back games with the Charlotte Checkers at Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes AHL affiliate) are coming off one of the hottest starts in the league, with 16 points, 8 wins, and lead the Atlantic Division. After the Hershey Bears won four straight games, Providence still sits in last place in the Atlantic. Providence can still do damage though and cut their lead for first place down with at least a loss. The gap can open for the Providence Bruins rivals down the street, the Springfield Thunderbirds, who currently sit in second place.

This will be one of the toughest road trips of the season for Providence. But with the Bruins traveling with momentum after a 6-1 win at home should make for a good series. Charlotte will also be momentum driven and well rested, coming off a 5-2 win over the Crunch in Syracuse. With opportunity in their reach, the P-Bruins must play well to move out of the basement and to overtake Charlotte’s strong playing style.