AHL Game Recap: Utica Holds Providence Takes Season Opener

The Providence Bruins and Utica Comets kicked off their 2026-27 seasons tonight, with Utica earning a 2-1 victory. The Comets built a two-goal lead through the first two periods before the Bruins mounted a late push. Brendan Gaunce scored in the third period, but Providence couldn’t find the equalizer.

Jiri Patera made his Providence debut in net, while David Rittich got the start for Utica. Riley Tufte also returned to Providence, where he spent the previous two seasons.

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Utica Takes First-Period Lead

Providence generated the first scoring chance just 27 seconds into the game. However, Utica struck first at the 4:30 mark when Gabe Klassen found the back of the net to give the Comets a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins earned their first power-play opportunity just over eight minutes into the opening period after Anton Silaev received a holding penalty. Providence couldn’t generate a shot on goal during the man advantage, and Utica successfully killed off the penalty.

Utica controlled the opening frame, outshooting Providence 9-3 while carrying a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Comets Extend Their Lead in the Second Period

The second period featured several special-teams opportunities for both sides.

Providence earned an early power play before the two-minute mark after Vladislav Kolyachonok was called for holding the stick. Utica killed off the penalty before heading to its own power play at 4:29 when Tobie Paquette-Bisson received an interference penalty.

The Bruins successfully killed that opportunity and returned to the power play at the 8:30 mark after Ben Steeves was called for hooking.

Brian Halonen received a delay-of-game penalty just over a minute into the power play, creating a brief 4-on-4 situation. Both penalties expired without a goal.

Kolyachonok took another penalty for cross-checking with just under seven minutes remaining. Providence couldn’t capitalize again.

With just over two minutes left in the period, Steeves scored to extend Utica’s lead to 2-0. The Comets carried that advantage into the third period, with both teams recording eight shots on goal in the middle frame.

Bruins Make a Late Push

Utica controlled the early stages of the third period, and Tufte appeared to add another goal for the Comets. However, officials waved off the goal for offside, keeping the score at 2-0.

Providence took advantage of the opportunity to get back into the game just over six minutes into the period. Brendan Gaunce beat Rittich to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Bruins called a timeout just under a minute and a half later as they looked to build momentum and find the tying goal.

Despite outshooting Utica 10-7 in the third period, Providence couldn’t get another puck past Rittich. The Comets held on for a 2-1 season-opening victory.

Patera and Rittich Deliver in Net

Patera stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced in his Providence debut. Rittich turned aside 20 of 21 shots to secure the win for Utica.

Tufte, who recorded 98 points on 53 goals and 45 assists over his previous two seasons with Providence, made his return to the Bruins organization. He also finished tied for third in the AHL in goals last season.

Next Up:

The Providence Bruins will look to bounce back on Sunday when they face the Springfield Thunderbirds at 3:05 p.m. EST. Meanwhile, the Utica Comets won’t return to action until next weekend. They will face the Rochester Americans at home on Saturday as they begin their season.