P-Bruins Week in Review
November 5, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release
The Providence Bruins concluded one of their two weekend trips to Charlotte this season, and unfortunately caught the hottest team in the AHL at the wrong time. The first-place team in the Atlantic Division has lost just once this season, and continued their dominance with a two-game sweep of the P-Bruins. Providence is off to a 3-7-1 start, and their seven points is tied for the second fewest the team has had through 11 games in team history.
Weekend Recap
Game one started promising for Providence as Jan Kovar blasted a shot in from the point to give the P-Bruins a 1-0 lead just 3:36 into play. The Checkers took over from there, scoring just 26 seconds later to tie the game and ultimately scoring four unanswered goals. Of those goals, two came via the power play and one came shorthanded. Trent Frederic and Jordan Szwarz scored late goals to make it close, but Charlotte hung on for the 4-3 win. The Checkers special teams struck early again in the second game of the road trip, scoring twice in the opening period on a power play and shorthanded break. Peter Cehlarik scored in the second, but another quick response goal from Charlotte seconds later kept it a two-goal game into the third. Ryan Fitzgerald trimmed the deficit to one midway through the final period, but the Checkers stopped the P-Bruins comeback there and won 3-2.
Donato Debuts
Ryan Donato was assigned to Providence November 1 and made his P-Bruins debut the next night after beginning his professional career with 23 games at the NHL level. With just one goal in 11 games this year, Boston decided the best step for his development was letting him play at the AHL level to regain his form. Donato immediately slotted in on the team's top power play unit and at left wing on fellow prospect Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson's line. After recording an assist in his first AHL game, Donato joined the team's top line of Kovar and Szwarz.
While he only registered one assist in two games, his skill was on display during the entire road trip. He fired seven shots on net to lead the team and used his speed to draw multiple opponent penalties. One of those awarded him a penalty shot, however, his chance was ultimately stopped. He will continue to see time on the wing with all the P-Bruin's top talent, so it is a safe bet that he will start racking up the points in the coming games.
Kovar continues to shine
Jan Kovar continues to be a nice addition to the P-Bruins offense as he looks to prove himself on a PTO. Kovar was waived by the New York Islanders at the end of camp, but their loss has certainly been Providence's gain. Kovar has been a point-per-game player through five games, scoring three goals and two assists including one of each this weekend. He has been skating on the top two lines and on the power play, showing off his ability to make plays, set-up teammates and light the lamp himself. It is encouraging to see his KHL playmaking has translated into the AHL, something the Boston organization was hoping to see when they signed him.
Key Returns
Peter Cehlarik had missed multiple games with an upper body injury, but returned on Saturday and scored his first goal of the season. Despite missing three games so far, he is tied for third on the team with six points and is tied for second with five assists. Jordan Szwarz suffered a concussion on October 19, but the P-Bruins captain returned for both games this weekend. He moved to right wing for the pair of games and scored his first goal of the season Friday night. Forsbacka Karlsson also missed time due to a personal matter, but played in both games this weekend.
What's Ahead
Providence has a busy week forthcoming as they will play a three-in-three for the second time this season. Their slate of games kicks off Friday night at the Dunk with a 7:05pm face-off with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. The team travels to Bridgeport Saturday night at 7pm for a road match-up with the Sound Tigers before returning home Sunday for a rematch with the Penguins at 3:05pm.
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