THIS WEEK IN PROVIDENCE: THE FIRST THREE-IN-THREE

The Providence Bruins (23-6-1-0) have a tall task ahead: the first three-in-three of the season. They will host the Bridgeport Islanders (12-6-2-1) on Friday, January 9 at 7:05 p.m., before traveling to Hartford to face-off with the Wolf Pack (11-15-4-1) on Saturday, January 10 at 6:00 p.m. Providence will conclude the three-day stretch of games hosting the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (18-11-2-2) on Sunday, January 11 at 3:05 p.m.

The Bruins have won all three of the prior matchups against the Islanders, outscoring them 12-6. They have also taken all three contests against the Wolf Pack this season and outscored them 12-5. The P-Bruins and Phantoms have met once this season, resulting in a 3-2 victory for Providence at home on November 21.  

Dans Locmelis has been red hot as of late, scoring three goals in his last two games. The Jelgava, Latvia, native found the back of the net twice, including the game-winning goal, in last Friday’s 4-1 victory at Hartford. He tallied a goal and an assist in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Springfield. The forward totals 12 goals and nine assists through 30 games played in his first full season of professional hockey. 

Georgii Merkulov has tallied points in five straight contests and nine out the last ten games. The Ryazan, Russia, native ranks first on the team with 13 goals and second with 27 points. The forward is second all-time in Providence Bruins scoring with 206 career points, trailing Andy Hilbert (2001-05) who recorded 210. 

Captain Patrick Brown extended his point streak to five games and totals 10 points in his last seven contests. The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, native ranks fourth in the AHL with 34 points through 30 games played. The forward leads the P-Bruins in assists (22), points (34), plus/minus (+22), and power play goals (5).

Both of Providence’s goaltenders are in the top three of major statistics in the AHL. Michael DiPietro ranks second in the league with a 1.86 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. Simon Zajicek is third in the AHL with a 2.02 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. 

BRUINS AND ISLANDERS BY THE BOOK

BRUINS

Record: 23-6-1-0

Division Ranking: 2nd Atlantic

GF: 100

GA: 61

PP: 25.8% (23/89)

PK: 82.6% (15/86)

Goals: Merkulov (13)

Assists: Brown (22)

Points: Brown (34)

GAA: DiPietro (1.86)

Save %: DiPietro (.935)

Wins: DiPietro (12)

ISLANDERS

Record: 12-16-2-1

Division Ranking: 8th Atlantic

GF: 92

GA: 106

PP: 13.1% (14/107)

PK: 77.9% (23/104)

Goals: Larson (12)

Assists: Maggio (15)

Points: Larson (21)

GAA: Tikkanen (2.62)

Save %: Tikkanen (.900)

Wins: Högber, Tikkanen (5)

LOOKING AHEAD

• Bruins vs. Islanders | Amica Mutual Pavilion | Fri. Jan. 9, 7:05 p.m. | FloHockey

  • Retro Weekend

    • Me+3 ticket offer and more at providencebruins.com

• Bruins at Wolf Pack | PeoplesBank Arena | Sat. Jan. 10, 6:00 p.m. | FloHockey

• Bruins vs. Phantoms | Amica Mutual Pavilion | Sun. Jan. 11, 3:05 p.m. | FloHockey

  • Retro Weekend

    • Me+3 ticket offer and more at providencebruins.com

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01.06.2026