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Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Captain Is Back


WHITFIELD RETURNS FROM BOSTON
Providence Captain has Appeared in 14 NHL Games on Year
January 27, 2010


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have assigned forward Trent Whitfield to Providence. With the move, the P-Bruins have 23 players on their roster, including 15 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders.

Whitfield, 32, returns to Providence from his second stint in Boston this year. During his most recent NHL run, which began on January 8, the veteran appeared in seven games for the parent Bruins, averaging 19 shifts and 14 minutes per game. Whitfield registered his first Boston point with an assist on January 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In 26 games for Providence, the club's captain is tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 20 points and shares third place with nine goals. Whitfield registered points in three straight P-Bruins games just prior to his recall from Dec. 29 - Jan. 2, totaling two goals and two assists. The 12th year pro and native of Alameda, Saskatchewan, was signed by Boston as a free agent on July 13, 2009. Whitfield was originally selected by the Bruins 100th overall in round four of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.


P-BRUINS TRIM ROSTER BY TWO
Marquardt & Ross Head to Reading of ECHL
January 26, 2010


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have reassigned forward Matt Marquardt to the ECHL's Reading Royals. Defenseman Jared Ross has also been assigned to Reading. With the moves, the P-Bruins have 22 players on their roster, including 14 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders.

Marquardt, 22, has spent the majority of the season in Providence, tallying eight points, all assists, 19 penalty minutes and a minus-eight rating in 33 games. The second-year pro also appeared in three games for Reading, where he registered one assist after being reassigned to the Royals on December 28, 2009. He returned to the P-Bruins on January 8.

As a rookie last season, Marquardt suited up for 71 regular season games for Providence, recording nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points. The forward added one goal and one assist in nine postseason outings after missing 11 straight games in April due to injury. Prior to turning pro, Marquardt enjoyed four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Moncton Wildcats and Baie-Comeau Drakkar. The North Bay, Ontario, native was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets 194th overall in round seven of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft before later being traded to Boston for defenseman Jonathan Sigalet on May 27, 2008.

Ross, 25, returns to Reading, where he has appeared in 20 games, totaling three goals and two assists. Over two call-ups to Providence, the defenseman recorded two assists in 18 contests, along with a minus-five rating. Both points came since the rookie's latest recall on December 11, 2009 as he tallied his first AHL helper against the Lowell Devils on December 20, 2009.

Prior to turning pro, the undrafted Ross spent four seasons with the St. Lawrence University Saints, where he recorded 48 points (22g, 26a) in 134 collegiate games. The Stony Island, Nova Scotia, native later made his pro debut during the 2009 ECHL playoffs following the conclusion of his senior season, collecting one assist in two playoff games for the Elmira Jackals. Ross signed an AHL contract with Providence on August 11, 2009 and participated in the P-Bruins' training camp this season before being assigned to Reading.


*Information gathered from www.providencebruins.com
**All photos taken by T.Chace Jr.

Monday, January 25, 2010

The Bruin Shuffle: One Week's Worth of Transactions

Both the Boston Bruins and the Providence Bruins are in the midst of a season in which neither team can score goals or stay healthy. The result is numerous moves to and from the big club in Boston. Here are a weeks worth of transactions between the two teams.

LARMAN BACK FROM BOSTON
January 25, 2010
Forward has Appeared in Four NHL Games this Season

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have assigned forward Drew Larman to Providence. With the move, the P-Bruins have 24 players on their roster, including 15 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.

Larman, 24, has enjoyed two recalls to Boston this season, going scoreless in four games overall while averaging roughly eight minutes of ice-time per contest. The undrafted center was first recalled by the parent Bruins on January 18, making his Boston debut that afternoon against the Ottawa Senators. In Providence this season, Larman has appeared in 43 games with nine points, including five goals and four assists.

Prior to signing with Boston on July 13, 2009, Larman spent the majority of his first four pro seasons with the Rochester Americans, twice winning the team's McCulloch Trophy for outstanding community service. The fifth-year pro enjoyed previous NHL experience with the Florida Panthers, dressing for 22 games with three points (2g, a) from 2006-08. In his career, the Canton, Michigan, native has suited up for 296 games between the regular season and playoffs, amassing 106 points (55g, 51a).


McQUAID RETURNS TO BOSTON
January 23,2010
Defenseman has Appeared in Eight NHL Games this Season

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have recalled defenseman Adam McQuaid. With the move, the P-Bruins have 23 players on their roster, including 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.

McQuaid, 23, earns his third recall to Boston this season after being assigned to Providence on January 20. The blue-liner appeared in one game for Providence during his latest stint, going scoreless in the club's 4-1 loss to the Lowell Devils on January 22.

McQuaid has suited up in eight games for the parent Bruins this year after receiving his first career NHL promotion on December 15, 2009. The native of native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, made his NHL debut on December 19, 2009 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and went on to total 14 penalty minutes during his time in Boston.

This season in Providence, McQuaid has dressed for 30 contests, totaling 10 points (3g, 7a) and 66 PIM. In his professional career, he has appeared in 184 regular season games with 34 points (8g, 26a) and 294 PIM, along with three assists and 35 PIM in 26 playoff contests. Last season, the third-year pro set personal-highs with four goals, 11 assists, 15 points and 141 PIM in 78 regular season games to earn Providence's Fan Appreciation Award. As a rookie with the P-Bruins in 2007-08, McQuaid was named the team's Man of the Year and Community Service Award winner. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets 55th overall in round two of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and was later traded by Columbus to Boston on May 16, 2007 for the 129th overall pick (Jamie Benn) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.


P-BRUINS RECEIVE REINFORCEMENTS
January 22,2010
Providence Hosts Lowell with Marchand & McQuaid Returning

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins (20-21-3-0, 43 PTS, 7th Atlantic) host the Lowell Devils (25-16-3-1, 54 PTS, 3rd Atlantic) this evening at the Dunkin' Donuts Center for the teams' seventh of 10 regular season meetings in 2009-10. On the year, the P-Bruins are 2-4-0-0 against the Devils, including 2-1-0-0 in Rhode Island.

American Hockey League action resumes tonight after the league's All-Star break, which featured the Canadian AHL All-Stars besting the PlanetUSA AHL All-Stars 10-9 in a shootout on Tuesday night in Portland. Providence's Mikko Lehtonen and Andy Wozniewski participated in the event, representing PlanetUSA. Lehtonen scored two goals in his first career All-Star appearance while Wozniewski added an assist.

The P-Bruins take a two-game winless skid (0-1-1-0) into tonight's play as they sit just six points out of a potential playoff spot. The Devils have points in two straight contests at 1-0-0-1 and they have won three road games in a row.

Providence is led offensively by Lehtonen's 32 points, including a team-best 12 goals. He and Wozniewski have each tallied 20 assists to pace the team. The club's offense is likely to get a boost with the addition of Brad Marchand, who has been out due to injury since December 13, a span of 16 games, during which the team went 5-9-2-0. On defense, Providence welcomes back Adam McQuaid from the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins, where he appeared in eight games since a December 15 recall. To make room for both, Scott Fletcher and Kenny Roche have been returned to the ECHL.


FLETCHER ASSIGNED TO READING
January 21,2010
Rookie Appeared in Eight Games for Providence

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that they have assigned defenseman Scott Fletcher to the Reading Royals of the ECHL. With the move, the P-Bruins have 24 players on their roster, including 14 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Fletcher, 22, received his first career AHL recall on December 4, 2009 after beginning the season in Reading, where he registered two goals, one assist and 34 penalty minutes in 16 games. The rookie blue-liner appeared in eight games for Providence, going scoreless with 22 PIM, before missing the team's last 11 games due to injury. Prior to starting the regular season with the Royals, Fletcher participated in the P-Bruins' training camp after signing an AHL contract on August 11, 2009.

Before turning pro, Fletcher enjoyed five seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, splitting time between the Plymouth Whalers, Niagara IceDogs, Mississauga IceDogs and Saginaw Spirit. In juniors, the undrafted native of Haslett, Michigan, appeared in 236 regular season contests with 15 points (2g, 13a) and 632 PIM. Fletcher also suited up for 25 playoff games, going scoreless with 48 PIM.


McQUAID RETURNS, LARMAN RECALLED
January 20,2010
Neither Player Appeared in a Game Since Most Recent Moves

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have assigned defenseman Adam McQuaid to Providence and recalled forward Drew Larman on an emergency basis. With the moves, the P-Bruins have 25 players on their roster, including 14 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders.

McQuaid, 23, was recalled to Boston this morning for the second time this season and practiced with the club prior to his assignment to Providence. The blue-liner has appeared in eight games for the parent Bruins this year after receiving his first career NHL promotion on December 15, 2009. McQuaid, a native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, made his NHL debut on December 19, 2009 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and went on to total 14 penalty minutes during his time in Boston.

Prior to joining Boston, McQuaid began this season in Providence, appearing in 29 contests with 10 points (3g, 7a) and 66 PIM. In his professional career, McQuaid has dressed in 183 regular season games, totaling 34 points (8g, 26a) and 294 PIM, along with three assists and 35 PIM in 26 playoff contests. Last season, the third-year pro set personal-highs with four goals, 11 assists, 15 points and 141 PIM in 78 regular season games to earn Providence's Fan Appreciation Award. As a rookie with the P-Bruins in 2007-08, McQuaid was named the team's Man of the Year and Community Service Award winner. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets 55th overall in round two of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and was later traded by Columbus to Boston on May 16, 2007 for the 129th overall pick (Jamie Benn) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Larman, 24, was assigned to Providence on Monday after a one-day, one-game NHL recall. The undrafted center made his Boston debut that afternoon, going scoreless against the Ottawa Senators. Prior to his first call-up, Larman appeared in all but one of the P-Bruins' 44 games this season, recording nine points, including five goals and four assists. The fifth-year pro and first-year member of the Bruins organization enjoyed previous NHL experience with the Florida Panthers, dressing for 22 games with three points (2g, a) from 2006-08.


McQUAID SUMMONED TO BOSTON
January 20,2010
Defenseman Recalled from Providence After Brief Assignment

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have recalled defenseman Adam McQuaid from Providence. With the move, the P-Bruins have 25 players on their roster, including 15 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

McQuaid, 23, was assigned to Providence on Monday after appearing in eight games for Boston during his first career NHL promotion. The AHL is currently in its All-Star break; therefore McQuaid did not suit up for Providence during his assignment. The native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, made his NHL debut on December 19, 2009 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and went on to total 14 penalty minutes during his time in Boston.

Prior to joining the parent Bruins on December 15, 2009, McQuaid began this season in Providence, appearing in 29 contests with 10 points (3g, 7a) and 66 PIM. Despite missing 15 P-Bruins games since his first recall, McQuaid continues to rank third among Providence defensemen in scoring and he leads the team with a plus-13 rating.

In his professional career, McQuaid has dressed in 183 regular season games, totaling 34 points (8g, 26a) and 294 PIM, along with three assists and 35 PIM in 26 playoff contests. Last season, the third-year pro set personal-highs with four goals, 11 assists, 15 points and 141 PIM in 78 regular season games to earn Providence's Fan Appreciation Award. As a rookie with the P-Bruins in 2007-08, McQuaid was named the team's Man of the Year and Community Service Award winner. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets 55th overall in round two of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and was later traded by Columbus to Boston on May 16, 2007 for the 129th overall pick (Jamie Benn) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.


McQUAID & LARMAN RETURN
January 18,2010
Pair Combined to Appear in Nine Games for Boston

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have assigned defenseman Adam McQuaid and forward Drew Larman to Providence. With the moves, the P-Bruins have 26 players on their roster, including 15 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders.

McQuaid, 23, earned his first career NHL promotion on December 15, 2009, going on to appear in eight games for Boston with 14 penalty minutes. The native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, made his NHL debut on December 19, 2009 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to joining Boston, McQuaid began this season in Providence, suiting up for 29 contests with 10 points (3g, 7a) and 66 PIM. Despite missing 15 P-Bruins games since his recall, McQuaid continues to rank third among Providence defensemen in scoring and he leads the team with a plus-13 rating.

In his professional career, McQuaid has appeared in 183 regular season games, totaling 34 points (8g, 26a) and 294 PIM, along with three assists and 35 PIM in 26 playoff contests. Last season, the third-year pro set personal-highs with four goals, 11 assists, 15 points and 141 PIM in 78 regular season games to earn Providence's Fan Appreciation Award. As a rookie with the P-Bruins in 2007-08, McQuaid was named the team's Man of the Year and Community Service Award winner. He was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets 55th overall in round two of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and was later traded by Columbus to Boston on May 16, 2007 for the 129th overall pick (Jamie Benn) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Larman, 24, returns to Providence after a one-day, one-game NHL recall. The undrafted center made his Boston debut on January 18, going scoreless against the Ottawa Senators. Prior to his call-up, Larman appeared in all but one of the P-Bruins' 44 games this season, recording nine points, including five goals and four assists. The fifth-year pro and first-year member of the Bruins enjoyed previous NHL experience with the Florida Panthers, dressing for 22 games with three points (2g, a) from 2006-08.

Prior to signing with Boston on July 13, 2009, Larman spent the majority of his first four pro seasons with the Rochester Americans, twice winning the team's McCulloch Trophy for outstanding community service. In his career, the Canton, Michigan, native has suited up for 293 games between the regular season and playoffs, amassing 106 points (55g, 51a).


*Information gathered from providencebruins.com & ahl.com.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Providence Bruins Updates

WOZNIEWSKI BACK IN PROVIDENCE
Veteran Served as Healthy Scratch During Latest NHL Stint

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have assigned defenseman Andy Wozniewski to Providence. With the move, the P-Bruins have 26 players on their roster, including 16 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Wozniewski, 29, was recalled to Boston on January 14 but served as a healthy scratch in two games for the big club. The NHL call-up was the veteran blue-liner's second of the season after appearing in two road games for the parent Bruins in December. In Providence this year, Wozniewski is a PlanetUSA All-Star and currently ranks second on the P-Bruins with a career-high 27 points, including seven goals and a team-best 20 assists in his 38 games. His point and assist totals also place him in the league's top 10 among defensemen. Wozniewski's best month of the year came in October when he was named Providence's Player of the Month after recording 15 points (5g, 10a) in just 10 games.

LEHTONEN NAMED PLANETUSA STARTER
First Time All-Star Enters Starting Line-Up

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that forward Mikko Lehtonen has been added to the PlanetUSA team's starting line-up for the 2010 Time Warner Cable AHL All-Star Classic, scheduled for Tuesday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Lehtonen, a first-time All-Star, replaces former P-Bruin and current Norfolk Admirals forward Brandon Bochenski, who will miss the event due to his National Hockey League recall.

Lehtonen, 22, paces Providence with 12 goals and 32 points, while his 20 assists and five power play goals are tied for the team-lead. In 44 games for the P-Bruins, the second-year pro has taken 152 shots, which slots him second in the AHL. Lehtonen has also appeared in one game for the Boston Bruins this season during a brief November recall.

Last season, Lehtonen led the P-Bruins with 28 goals and finished his rookie campaign with 53 points (28g, 25a) in 72 regular season games. He added seven points (2g, 5a) in 14 postseason contests. Lehtonen also enjoyed his first career NHL recall on April 10, 2009, going scoreless in his NHL debut for Boston the following night against the Buffalo Sabres. The native of Espoo, Finland, was selected by Boston 83rd overall in round three of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

LARMAN RECALLED BY BOSTON
Center Earns First NHL Promotion of Season

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have recalled forward Drew Larman from Providence on an emergency basis. Larman will be available for Boston's game against the Ottawa Senators this afternoon. With the move, the P-Bruins have 25 players on their roster, including 15 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Larman, 24, is in his fifth professional season and first in the Bruins organization after signing with Boston on July 13, 2009. The undrafted center has appeared in all but one of Providence's 44 games this season, recording nine points, including five goals and four assists. This is his first recall to Boston after previous NHL experience with the Florida Panthers. Larman enjoyed parts of two seasons with the Panthers from 2006-08, appearing in 22 games with three points (2g, a).

Prior to signing with Boston, Larman spent the majority of his first four pro seasons with the Rochester Americans, twice winning the team's McCulloch Trophy for outstanding community service. In his career, the Canton, Michigan, native has suited up for 292 games between the regular season and playoffs, amassing 106 points (55g, 51a).

ROCHE RELEASED BY PROVIDENCE
Forward Tallied One Assist in Three Games for P-Bruins

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that they have released forward Kenny Roche from his Professional Tryout Agreement. With the move, the P-Bruins have 24 players on their roster, including 14 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Roche, 26, was recalled by Providence on January 15 from the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers, where he began the season with 27 points (16g, 11a) in 33 games. The fourth-year pro appeared in three games for the P-Bruins, registering an assist on January 16 in Providence's 3-2 overtime loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack.

The South Boston, Massachusetts, native and four-year standout for the Boston University Terriers has enjoyed previous AHL experience with the Lake Erie Monsters and Hartford Wolf Pack, appearing in 35 games with seven points (2g, 5a) between the two squads. In his professional career, Roche has 84 points (37g, 47a) in 138 regular season games and five points (2g, 3a) in 12 postseason contests. The center was selected by the New York Rangers 75th overall in the third round of the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

*INFO COURTESY OF WWW.PROVIDENCEBRUINS.COM

Friday, January 15, 2010

Wozniewski Called Up To Boston Again


AHL All-Star Earns Second NHL Recall of the Season

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins have recalled defenseman Andy Wozniewski. With the move, the P-Bruins have 24 players on their roster, including 15 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.

Wozniewski, 29, returns to the NHL after a one week recall to Boston in December. The veteran blue-liner appeared in two road games for the parents Bruins, going scoreless. In the AHL this season, Wozniewski is a PlanetUSA All-Star and currently ranks second on the P-Bruins with a career-high 27 points, including seven goals and a team-best 20 assists in his 38 games. His point and assist totals also place him in the league's top five among defensemen. Wozniewski's best month of the year came in October when he was named Providence's Player of the Month after recording 15 points (5g, 10a) in just 10 games.

The seventh-year pro signed with Boston as a free agent on September 9, 2009. In his career, Wozniewski has appeared in 291 regular season games, amassing 101 points (24g, 77a), along with 25 postseason contests, registering 11 points (5g, 6a). Among his totals, Wozniewski has suited up for 79 career NHL games with Boston, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues, recording 12 points (2g, 10a) overall. Prior to turning pro in 2003-04 with the St. John's Maple Leafs, the undrafted native of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, played at the college ranks for four seasons, the first for the UMass-Lowell River Hawks and the final three with the University of Wisconsin Badgers. His NCAA career finished with 40 points (11g, 29a) in 133 contests.

*INFO COURTESY OF WWW.PROVIDENCEBRUINS.COM

Providence Adds Foward From Alaska

John Lammers Joins Providence from ECHL's Alaska

Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, in their 18th year in the American Hockey League, announced that they have signed forward John Lammers to a Professional Tryout Agreement. With the move, the P-Bruins have 25 players on their roster, including 15 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Lammers, 23, began the season with the ECHL's Alaska Aces, where he has registered 35 points in just 25 games. His 20 goals rank tied for fourth in the league and lead the Aces, as do his nine power play goals and his plus-seven rating. The fourth-year pro also enjoyed an 11-game scoreless stint with the AHL's Manitoba Moose this season, spending roughly one month with the club. In the ECHL, Lammers has nine multiple-point games and four point-streaks of at least three games.

The native of Langley, British Columbia, has considerable AHL experience, appearing in 121 regular season games for the Iowa Stars, Houston Aeros and Manitoba. Lammers spent the entire 2008-09 campaign with Houston, totaling 26 points (12g, 14a) in 57 regular season games, plus eight assists during an 18-game playoff run. As a pro, which includes time in the AHL, ECHL and overseas play in Finland, the Western Hockey League product has 126 points (67g, 59a) in 214 regular season games, plus 30 points (7g, 23a) in 44 postseason contests.

Lammers was selected 86th overall in round three of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars.

*INFO COURTESY OF WWW.PROVIDENCEBRUINS.COM

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Providence Bruins Season Half Over


Halfway To Where
by T.Chace Jr.
January 12, 2010

The halfway point in the regular season occurred last weekend in Worcester for the Providence Bruins and their pursuit of the Calder Cup in their 18th year in the American Hockey League. The 2009-10 season has been a series of ups & downs in both player movement and wins and losses.

Since last season Providence has developed several players who will not be returning any time soon including Byron Bitz, Tuukka Rask, David Krejci, Matt Hunwick, Johnny Boychuck, and Vladimir Sobotka. All have been playing substantial NHL minutes with the parent club in Boston.

Providence has also lost the services of Brad Marchand, Trent Whitfield, Guillaume Lefebvre, Mikko Lehtonen, Adam McQuaid, and Andy Wozniewski on call-ups by the Boston Bruins throughout the season.

Marchand who is the only Providence player to average nearly a point a game has been sidelined with a torn tendon in his foot after having his foot skated over in a freak injury in mid-December. He was expected to miss 6-8 weeks of play. Many other veteran and young players have been given professional try-outs (PTO) this season but nothing has panned out with great success. Recently returning from injury was QMJHL scoring champion, Yannick Riendeau. Riendeau captured an assist in his first professional game against Springfield on December 29th. Head coach, Rob Murray stated that “he’s on the power play, and that’s where he’ll be successful. The fans can’t expect miracles out of this kid. He’s gonna be a good player, but you’ve got to be patient with him. It’s his first professional game; no exhibition games, no training camp, no anything and these games are more difficult after Christmas.”

The Bruins are having horrible difficulty scoring goals. Their leading scorer, Mikko Lehtonen, has just 30 points, including 11 goals to lead the team. Their total of 101 goals is second to last in the Eastern Conference only ahead of the Adirondack Phantoms, whom they defeated at the Dunkin Donuts Center on Friday, January 8th, 3-1. Through 41 games the Providence Bruins have 40 points, including nearly identical home and road records, a true reflection of their season. Their season’s longest winning streak of five games was followed by Marchland’s injury and losing their next six of seven contests. However, they are in almost every game, with solid goaltending provided by NHL veteran Dany Sabourin. Sabourin has logged the fourth most minutes played and is second in the AHL in saves. With one shutout and a 2.52 GAA, Sabourin has limited the opposition, allowing Providence to keep it close throughout the season.

The Bruins are without an identity and also very young, as they hope to gain confidence as the second half of the season begins. With the addition of Riendeau and a healthy Brad Marchand, the Bruins could see a bump in their scoring, but will it be enough? They are halfway there, but where are they going? That’s the question for this team.