After a long offseason, the Providence Bruins opened the 2023-24 AHL season over the weekend with a pair of divisional matchups. After claiming an Atlantic Division crown a year ago, Providence was dumped out of the postseason by regional rival Hartford Wolfpack (New York Rangers).
With a chance for immediate retribution in the season opener at home, Providence struggled to shake off the rust on both ends of the ice, falling 3-2 in a shootout on Friday. In Sunday’s contest at the Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis Blues), the teams put on an enthralling display, but the hosts wrestled away the points with a late winner, 4-3.