Graham Mink’s game winning goal going in the net on Sunday afternoon (Photo Credit: Steph Vail/Flickr)
On Friday night, Graham Mink was putting his son to bed when he got a call from his agent about an offer from the Providence Bruins to join the team on a Professional Tryout Contract. 2 days later, he scored the game-winning goal for the P-Bruins to give them a 2-1 win over the Manchester Monarchs, finally breaking the deadlock in the stands between the 2 Atlantic division rivals.
Mink’s goal came on the power play and broke a 1-1 tie in the 3rd period. Craig Cunningham scored just 58 seconds into the game to give Providence a 1-0 lead. It was Cunningham’s 7th of the season and came unassisted. The P-Bruins out-shot the outmatched Monarchs 13-10 in the 1st period, but goaltender Peter Mannino played well for the Los Angeles Kings farm team. Manchester came into the game with only 15 skaters dressed (rather than the usual 18) due to sudden call-ups to the LA Kings training camp. Although Providence also saw it’s roster recently depleted with its best players due to call-ups to Boston for training camp – as well as devastating injury, of which they lost 2 more players on Friday (Jared Knight and Zach Trotman) and at least one more on Sunday (Justin Florek took a puck to the ear) – recent call-ups from ECHL teams and a few new signings such as Mink filled out Providence’s roster coming into Sunday.
The 2nd period saw shots even up at 12-12 apiece, and with 9 seconds left in the period, Brandon Kozun tied the game at 1 for the Monarchs with his 10th of the season from Linden Vey and Bryan Rodney. Providence took control again in the 3rd period, out-shooting Manchester 16-3 (for a total of 41-25 in the game), and on one of many power play chances in the game, were able to capitalize when Mink deflected in a pass from Max Sauve, with a secondary assist to Carter Camper. Also of note – Camper had 10 shots on net in the game on Sunday, although he was poor in the face off circle. In the absence of the team’s tops players to Boston training camp, Camper and Cunningham have seen significant increase in ice time. Cunningham has been playing extremely well, although Camper seems to be struggling at times as he has ever since he returns from injury earlier this season.
Niklas Svedberg made a couple key saves in the final minutes of the game as Providence was able to hold on to the 2-1 lead and rebound from an embarrassing 4-1 loss on Saturday night to the Springfield Falcons.
Providence is now 19-14-0-2 (40 points), placing them 3rd in the Atlantic division – 2 points ahead of Manchester (17-16-2-2) and just 1 point behind Worcester (19-15-1-2). Providence is also 4-2-0-0 against Manchester this season, and will face them 6 more times before the season ends. The next meeting is Saturday, January 19th in Manchester.
But the next “game” for Providence is tomorrow night – Tuesday, January 15th. The team will travel to Boston to scrimmage the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden in front of a sold out crowd. Chris Bourque, Ryan Spooner, Jamie Tardif, Lane MacDermid, David Warsofsky, and Matt Bartkowski will suit up for Boston (presumably). As for Providence?
I’m told that pretty much every healthy Prov. player under contract w/Boston will play in Tuesday night Garden scrimmage . . .Robins & MacKinnon, who are on AHL deals will play, too. Mink (PTO) and Randell will not play. (Mark Divver, The Providence Journal.)
Bobby Robins and Kyle MacKinnon, although they do not have contracts with the Boston Bruins organization – only with Providence in the AHL – will play for Providence against Boston tomorrow night. However, since Mink is still on a Professional Tryout Contract, he will not play.
If you aren’t able to make it to the game in Boston tomorrow, it will be streamed online for free. Make sure to tune in because there’s nothing better than watching Boston and Providence at the same time…even if Providence is sure to get their butts kicked.
Chris Bourque was placed on a line with Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley while Lane MacDermid, Ryan Spooner, Jamie Tardif, and Jay Pandolfo wore green jerseys and split duties on a 5th line. (Photo Credit: Steph Vail/Flickr).
Speaking of which – I went to training camp on Sunday before swinging down to Providence for the P-Bruins game (see training camp pictures here, P-Bruins game pictures here). Chris Bourque was the only forward call-up from Providence who already had a spot on the forward lines – right on the wing of the 3rd line with Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly (just like I have been saying). He also has been practicing on the power play unit with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. I would say it’s almost a sure thing that he will be the guy that stays with Boston out of training camp. But I guess we will have a better idea about where everyone stands after tomorrow’s scrimmage. Or maybe not. Maybe we will just be thoroughly entertained!
A Cup A Bruin 