Providence Bruins Clinch Victory Over Utica Comets in Shootout

The game went the distance, with the Bruins winning 3-2 in a shootout.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:48am

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The Providence Bruins defeated the Utica Comets 3-2 in a shootout on Wednesday, April 01, 2026. The game was tied 1-1 after regulation, with the Bruins taking a 2-1 lead in the third period before the Comets tied it up. Matej Blümel scored the game-winning goal in the shootout for the Bruins.

Why it matters

This was an important win for the Providence Bruins as they continue to battle for a playoff spot in the AHL's Eastern Conference. The Comets, meanwhile, missed out on an opportunity to gain ground in the standings.

The details

The first period was scoreless, and late in the second period, the Comets took the lead when Josh Filmon scored. The Bruins made it 1-1 with a goal from John Farinacci. Matej Blümel gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead in the middle of the third period, but Mike Hardman tied it up for the Comets one minute later. The game went to a shootout, where Blümel scored the decisive goal to give the Bruins the victory.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 01, 2026.
  • The Comets will take on the Belleville Senators on Saturday, April 04, 2026.
  • The Bruins will match up against Syracuse on Friday, April 03, 2026.

The players

Matej Blümel

A forward for the Providence Bruins who scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.

Josh Filmon

A forward for the Utica Comets who scored the team's first goal.

John Farinacci

A forward for the Providence Bruins who scored the team's first goal.

Mike Hardman

A forward for the Utica Comets who scored the team's second goal to tie the game.

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What’s next

The Comets will look to bounce back when they take on the Belleville Senators on Saturday, April 04, 2026, while the Bruins will face off against Syracuse on Friday, April 03, 2026.

The takeaway

This was an exciting and close game that came down to a shootout, highlighting the competitiveness of the AHL and the importance of each game as teams jockey for playoff positioning.