It’s not easy being a hockey fan if you live in Providence, Rhode Island. Fans there have waited 10 games for their Bruins to play this season’s home opener. Perched atop the Atlantic Division of the American Hockey League, Providence earned 17 of a possible 20 points (.850) on their long stretch of road games. It’s still early in the season but some analysts have the Bruins on their way to a 10th consecutive berth in the Calder Cup playoffs
Led by fifth-year head coach Scott Gordon, Providence ranks first in the league this season in both shots on goal taken (36.3 per game) and shots allowed (21.3 per game), while ranking second in scoring (3.80 goals per game) and fifth in defense (2.40 goals against per game). Highly-touted rookie Tuukka Rask is 6-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average after starting seven of Providence’s first eight games this season.
Expect an excited crowd this Wednesday as Providence finally hosts a home game, against the 3rd place Portland Pirates.