AHL: Merkulov Carries Providence Into the Christmas Break

The Providence Bruins faced the Syracuse Crunch tonight as they head to the holiday break. Providence entered tonight off a 2-1 overtime loss to the Penguins. The Crunch picked up their fourth straight win last night. Simon Zajicek got the start in net for the Bruins, bringing in a 9-1-1 record, a 1.93 goals-against average, and a .934 save percentage. Ryan Fanti got the start for the Crunch; he brought in a 6-5-1 record, posting a 2.31 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage, and two shutouts.

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Syracuse Crunch vs. Providence Bruins

First Period 

Providence got on the board first as Georgii Merkulov scored his ninth goal of the season to make it 1-0. Conor Geekie tied this up with under five minutes left in the opening period. It was Geekie’s seventh goal of the year. Both teams had eight shots on goal.

Second Period 

Providence took the lead up with 9:01 left in the second as Merkulov scored his second of the game and tenth of the season. The Bruins were outshot 10-7 in the period.

Third Period 

In the final period, Merkulov completed the hat trick on an empty net goal with 19 seconds left in the game. Providence outshot the Crunch 14-9 in the period.

Wrap Up

Zajicek stopped all 23 of the 24 shots he faced, finishing as the second star. Fanti stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced. Merkulov was the first star, while Riley Tufte finished as the third star.

Next Up

Providence returns from the break on Saturday as they face the Springfield Thunderbirds, with puck drop set for 6:05 PM EST. The Crunch returns on Saturday to face the Laval Rocket at 3:00 PM EST.