Apr 13, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie
Martin Brodeur(30) knocks the puck away after making a save on Boston Bruins center
Alexander Khokhlachev(76) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Bruins 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
While the season may be over for the NHL Bruins, the AHL Providence Bruins are still fighting their way to a Calder Cup Trophy. Tonight, the Providence Bruins defeated the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins tonight by a final score of 4-1 in game six of the Eastern Conference semifinals. That win now forces a winner take all in Game seven.
This is one of those times where you will see members of the Boston organization at the game to see which players are working hard at the AHL level, and who among them could be invited to the Boston training camp in September. One of those players who will be on the short list is Alexander Khokhlachev. Khokhlachev had a three point game tonight (two goals and one assist) to lead the P-Bruins.
Providence special teams came out in force to keep the Bruins in the season tonight. The power play went perfect on the attack with their one man advantage, and kept the Penguins scoreless during four penalty kills.
Another one of those players that will be getting a serious look over in next season’s training camp is P-Bruins goaltender Niklas Svedberg. Svedberg had an outstanding night as he stopped thirty six of thirty shots (.973 save percentage). On the other side of the crease, Penguins goaltender Peter Mannino stopped twelve of fifteen shots(.667 save percentage) that were thrown at him. The performance of those two Bruins earned them top honors tonight. Alexander Khokhlachev was selected as first star of the game, and Niklas Svedberg was chosen as the second.
In game six of the Bruins-Canadiens series we saw a surging Montreal squad take it to the Bruins, and the Bruins who weren’t playing to their potential seemed to give up in the last two games. This time around, the Providence Bruins are the surging team looking to push a higher seeded squad out of the playoffs. The Bruins are playing desperate but focused hockey, and if they can maintain this level of intensity and momentum, they should be able to defeat the Penguins handily. The winner of that game will move on to the Conference Finals where they will take on the St. John’s Ice Caps.