AHL: Providence Ends 2025 with a Loss to Springfield 

The Providence Bruins wrapped up 2025 this afternoon against the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Bruins are 3-1-0-0 against the Thunderbirds this season. The Bruins beat Springfield on Saturday 7-1 as they returned from the Christmas break. The Thunderbirds enter today’s game off a 4-3 overtime win against the Bridgeport Islanders. Simon Zajicek got the start in today’s game bringing in a 10-1-1 record with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. Zajicek entered the game third in the AHL in goals-against average and second in save percentage. Vadim Zherenko got the start for the Thunderbirds; he brought in a 6-6-3 record, posting a 3.01 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage. Zherenko got the start on Saturday against Providence lasting only a period and a quarter allowing four goals on 16 shots. 

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Providence Bruins vs. Springfield Thunderbirds 

First Period 

Providence got the scoring started once again as Victor Soderstrom scored his second of the year just over four minutes into the game. Just over a minute later Matt Luff scored his team-leading tenth goal of the season to tie things at one. Springfield later in the period took the lead behind Jakub Stancl’s sixth of the year. Stancl’s goal came on the power-play as Riley Tufte went off for holding. Providence dominated the period outshooting Springfield 17-7. 

Second Period 

The middle period saw Springfield add to their lead. Just over halfway through the period Springfield got a goal from Sam Strange. It was his third of the year. Providence once again outshot the Thunderbirds, this time 12-9. 

Third Period 

In the final period, Providence had their head coach Ryan Mougenel ejected from the game as he was heated about a non call. Chris Wagner hit Georgii Merkulov along the boards while he didn’t have the puck. Providence forward Riley Tufte took exception and chaos broke out. Tufte was also handed a game misconduct along with a roughing penalty ending his night. Providence later in the period would get one back as captain Patrick Brown scored a power-play goal. It was his 12th goal of the year. Springfield added the empty netter to secure the win as Aleksanteri Kaskimaki scored his sixth of the season. Providence once again outshot Springfield this time 13-9. 

Wrap Up 

Zajicek stopped all 21 of the 24 shots he faced. Zherenko finished with 40 saves on 42 shots. Luff was the first star, while Strange was the second star and Pekarcik was the third star. 

Next Up

Providence returns on Friday night with another road matchup this time against the Hartford Wolf Pack, with puck drop set for 6:00 PM EST. The Thunderbirds are back Friday when they welcome in the Bridgeport Islanders, puck drop is at 7:05 PM EST.