Reich, Dalton make sure Providence’s slide doesn’t slip too far into 2011
Reich/Courtesy P-Bruins
As far as ways to end a calendar year, the way the Bruins’ Providence (AHL) farm club closed out the 2010 portion of this season’s schedule probably ranks near the bottom of the list.
The P-Bruins dropped their last three games of 2010 by a combined score of 16-8 and dropped five of their last seven prior to the start of 2011. The club’s doldrums continued with a 6-2 loss to Connecticut Jan. 1, but a pair of unexpected sources made sure the slump ended Sunday with a 2-1 win over Bridgeports.
Rugged forward Jeremy Reich snapped a nine-game goal-less drought with the game-winning score at 6:49 of the third period. Goaltender Matt Dalton, back after a few months with Reading of the ECHL, stopped 21 of 22 shots to bounce back from allowing six goals the night before.
Reich now has six goals in 29 games this season and on a team that ranks near the bottom in almost every key team statistic is an impressive plus-2. While the adage goes that the P-Bruins could probably still finish last without him, Reich has obviously continued to be a hard worker and a key influence for Boston’s prospects.
Dalton certainly paid his dues down with the Royals. In 18 games, he was 11-6-1 with a 2.88 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. While those numbers might not smack of a player ready to move up from the ECHL league and salvage a team’s AHL season, keep in mind that veteran Nolan Schaefer and rookie Michael Hutchinson (who was swapped down to Reading) both sport save percentages of less than .900 and GAAs well above 3.00. Dalton might not be able to lift the P-Bruins out of 28th in the league in goals against, but he can’t hurt them much either.
Who’s hot
Forward Zach Hamill has a three-game points streak and has registered a point in five of his last six games (1-6-7 in those six games). … Winger Jordan Caron scored his first goal with the P-Bruins Jan. 1 and added an assist in the win Sunday.
Who’s cold
Winger Max Sauve is point-less and minus-3 in his last three. … Providence’s power play is last in the AHL and 2-for-24 in its last five games.
Roster report
In addition to the Hutchinson/Dalton swap with Reading, the P-Bruins also sent Cody Wild down and recalled Ryan Donald, who skated in two games over the weekend. … Colby Cohen remains sidelined with injury.
Upcoming games
Friday, Jan. 7 vs. Manchester
Saturday, Jan. 8 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Sunday, Jan. 9 vs. Binghamton
Young team with no talent in goal.
They will be good soon.
And BK they got Cohen, a 2nd round pick, for Hunwick. Shatt was their first round pick. We would have had to offer a lot more then Hunwick. (2assists -6 since trade)
And no Ryder and Wheeler would not have gotten it done. (imo)
My wife and I went to the New Year’s Day game in Hartford. The team looked pretty awful. Max Sauve, in particular, was having a terrible afternoon. But Jordan Caron looked good, as did Ryan Donald, who surprised me with his effort and skill (and aggressiveness). Donald is a bit slow, but I wonder if he could be developed. Opinions?
Yeah, this team needs help…man do they suck the life out of the building this year. Who’s making talent decisions this year? Where’s the better talent in AHL guys?? ?We seem to get the 2nd rate ones…..time for a shake up….
The Bruins have traded away 3 legitimate NHL players in the last 5 months. Sobotka, Hunwick, and Sturm…. in return for these trades they have recieved zero NHL roster players, a low regarded prospect in Cohen, Dave Warsofsky who has never played professional hockey, and well no one for Sturm. You would think that they would be able to get some sort of talent to help their farm team out.
PS. to bad they didnt swap Hunwick for Shattenkirk, he is a stud