December 1, 2006

Providence preview, Boston review.

Tonight, Providence takes on the Lowell Devils at the Dunk. This will be the second game Providence has played against Lowell, the first game being last Sunday, where Lowell blanked Providence, 2-0.

Providence is tied with Manchester for third place in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 11-7-1-0 for a total of 23 points. They have scored a total of 63 goals this season and allowed 63 goals against. They've lost their last three games, and I'd really like them to win this one. At this point in the season, every team in the division has played at least one more game then Providence, with Manchester and Lowell having played 2 more games and Portland having played 3 more games. Providence is 6-3-1-0 when at home, allowing 30 goals and scoring 36.

Lowell currently sits second in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 11-8-1-1 for a total of 24 points. They've also scored 63 goals, but have only allowed 59 goals against. They've won their last two consecutive games. Lowell is 5-4-0-1 when away, allowing 30 goals and scoring 28. Lowell's penalty kill is 18th in the league when away, and Providence's power play ranks 27th in the league when at home, captializing only 6 times on 44 advantages. Providence is dead last in the league in penalty killing when at home, and Lowell's power play unit is 5th in the league when away, captializing on 10 of 48 chances.

Providence's top six scorers are:
Kris Versteeg (18 GP, 9 G, 12 A)
Ben Walter (15 GP, 8 G, 7 A)
Pascal Pelletier (19 GP, 7 G, 10 A)
Martins Karsums (14 GP, 6 G, 5 A)
Jonathan Sigalet (19 GP, 6 G, 3 A)
Dave Krejci (16 GP, 5 G, 12 A)

Lowell's top six scorers are:
Nicklas Bergfors (17 GP, 8 G, 7 A)
Justin Papineau (17 GP, 7 G, 11 A)
Chris Minard (12 GP, 7 G, 3 A)
Dan McGillis (21 GP, 5 G, 10 A)
David Clarkson (17 GP, 4 G, 5 A)
Barry Tallackson (16 GP, 3 G, 8A)

Providence's goaltenders:
Philippe Sauve: 12 GP, 5-6-0, 3.75 GA, 0.883 SV%
Jordan Sigalet: 4 GP, 3-0-0, 3.81 GA, 0.874 SV%

Lowell's goaltenders:
Frank Doyle: 15 GP, 6-7-1, 2.69 GA, 0.907 SV%
Jordan Parise: 7 GP, 5-2-0, 2.82 GA, 0.923 SV%

Recent transactions: Boston sent defenseman Nate Dempsey on loan to Providence, and returned Nate Thompson after Tuesday's game in Toronto. Thompson had four whole shifts in the game, for a total of 2 minutes of ice time. He had one shot on goal, in the first period. With Boston returning Thompson and so graciously loaning us Dempsey, we now have a trifecta of Nates. I'm thrilled. This means we have nine defensemen and thirteen forwards (six centers, five right wings, and two left wings). For the time being, we only have two goaltenders, as Brian Finley is still with Boston (IR- groin strain; day-to-day).

And ten links about the Boston game last night, because I'm feeling linky and ten seemed like a good number to stop at:

Bruins 4, Lightning 3, SO [ Globe ]
Chara has been a big help [ Globe ]
Kessel takes charge [ Globe ]
Thomas as quick as lightning [ Globe ]
Thomas rescues B's -- Shuts door on Lightning in shootout [ Herald ]
Goalie on roll with lucky 7 [ Herald ]
Lewis is all ears in shootout [ Herald ]
Lightning is struck down [ ProJo ]
Heroes and zeros [ Bruins Rumors and News ]
Revved Rookie [ NE Hockey Journal ]

by Heather | 2:46 PM | 3
filed under: 06-07 season