P-Bruins: Hutchinson’s heroics vs. Manchester earn rare home win

Hutchinson/Courtest P-Bruins

Entering Sunday’s home date with Manchester in possession of just a 2-8-1-1 record at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Sunday, the Providence Bruins needed some more Michael Hutchinson magic to bedazzle Manchester.

Lo and behold, Hutchinson made the P-Bruins’ two goals stand up in a 2-1 win — his third win over the Monarchs this season, and Providence’s first home victory since Nov. 14.

In each of Hutchinson’s three wins over Manchester, he has allowed the current Atlantic Division-leading club just one goal. So as they go on this season, the P-Bruins know they can count on the first-year pro to lift his level of play as high as the level of the competition.

Hutchinson is now 7-4-0 on the season with a .909 save percentage and 2.73 goals-against average.

The win over the Monarchs was huge for the P-Bruins, who were in danger of a win-less weekend after falling to Bridgeport and Connecticut by a combined score of 7-2 the previous two nights.

Who’s hot?

Defenseman Steve Kampfer now has 1-5-6 totals and a plus-7 rating in his last six games played. … Joe Colborne snapped a five-game goal-less drought with a score against Manchester. … With an assist against the Monarchs, Andrew Bodnarchuk snopped a 10-game pointless drought.

Who’s not?

Matt Bartkowski registered an assist Sunday but still suffered through a minus-5 weekend. … Zach Hamill is point-less in six straight games. … Goaltender Nolan Schaefer has now lost his last four decisions after allowing four goals on 28 shots Saturday night.

Injury update

Winger Max Sauve had the cast removed from his recuperating broken wrist and has started practicing. He is still sore and had a cortisone shot, but head coach Rob Murray was hopeful the speedster could get back this weekend. … Jeremy Reich remained out this weekend after blocking a shot with his foot last Sunday. … Colby Cohen came to Providence with a wrist injury that he re-aggravated in a practice and has yet to make his P-Bruins debut.

Coming up

Dec. 10 vs. Portland

Dec. 11 at Springfield

Dec. 12 vs. Springfield