AHL Game Recap: Providence Wins Hagens Debut

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Chris Lavallee | Last updated Mar 26, 2026 2:47 AM ET

The Providence Bruins and Springfield Thunderbirds faced off tonight. Providence comes in off back-to-back wins over the Utica Comets over The Weekend. The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, are coming in off a win over the Senators on Saturday. Michael DiPietro got the start for Providence, bringing in a 29-7-0 record with a 1.92 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage, and two shutouts. Will Cranley got the start for the Thunderbirds, bringing in a 3-3-0 record with a 2.17 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage, and two shutouts.

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Providence Bruins vs. Springfield Thunderbirds

First Period

The opening period saw Providence record the first shot on goal. That was followed by back-to-back Springfield shots on goal before James Hagens, in his debut, recorded his first shot on goal a little over three minutes into the game. The two teams dropped the gloves as Narvin Mutter and Wyatt Newpower got five for fighting. Brooklyn Kalmikov also got a penalty for holding, which led to the melee. Just under nine minutes, Springfield got another power-play chance as Christian Wolanin went to the box for holding. It was back and forth until a little over eight minutes left, Riley Tufte scored his team’s leading 28th of the season. The period ended 1-0 Bruins, with Providence outshooting Springfield 18-10.

Second Period

It was quiet to start the middle period. Providence had the first two shots on goal, then got a power-play opportunity as Zach Dean went to the box for holding. The Bruins continued their dominance early until almost halfway through the period, Springfield got a power-play chance with Matej Blumel going to the box. Providence killed the penalty off, but with just over six minutes left, Julien Gauthier scored his seventh goal of the season to tie it at 1-1. Springfield rode that momentum until they got called with a penalty as Dylan Peterson went to the box for cross-checking. Providence had a shot on goal, but that was it as the middle frame ended tied 1-1 with the Bruins outshooting Springfield 8-5 in the period.

Third Period

In the final period, it continued back and forth, but just before the four-minute mark of the period, Jake Schmaltz gave Providence the lead with his eighth of the season. Providence got a power-play just over five minutes into the period as Aleksanteri Kaskimaki went to the box for tripping. Providence, after the penalty was called, had seven shots on goal before heading on another power-play as Chris Wagner went to the box for holding the stick. Late in the third, after a Providence penalty to Patrick Brown, who went to the box for tripping, Springfield turned up the pressure. They had five shots on goal, but couldn’t put the equalizer home. Providence outshot Springfield in the final period 15-11.

Wrap up

DiPietro stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced. Cranley, on the other side, stopped 39 of the 41 shots he faced, finishing as the third star of the game. Schmaltz, with his goal, was the first star, while Tufte, with his goal, was the second star.

Next Up

Providence heads home to face the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday night with puck drop set for 7:05 PM EST. The Thunderbirds will hit the road on Friday night to face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, with that game set to start at 7:05 PM EST.

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This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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