Providence, R.I. – The Providence Bruins closed out the regular season with a 4-2 home win against the Hartford Wolfpack on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins Trevor Kuntar opened scoring at the 13:29 mark of the first period. The Wolfpack would get the next two with goals by Jake Leschyshynand and Blake Hillman. They have a 2-1 lead at the end of one. The Bruins tied the game in the second as Georgii Merkulov netted his 29th of the season. Former Boston University forward Nick Zabaneh, recently signed to an amateur tryout. Zabaneh would score the game-winner with his first goal in his first pro game. The Wolfpack pulled goalie Dylan Garand. Georgii Merkulov made them pay with the empty netter at 17:42 for his second and 30th of the game. The Bruins replaced starting goalie Brandon Bussi after two periods. Recent Maine Mariners call-up Kyle Keyser played net for the third.
The Calder Cup Playoffs start this week. The Bruins earned a first-round bye, and the Wolfpack will travel to Charlotte for a three-game series with the Checkers starting Thursday.
See my gallery of game photos by Brian Stone Sr for The Calder Times:
