Projo Bruins Blog

By MARK DIVVER
Assistant Sports Editor

NORTH SMITHFIELD -- Zach Hamill and Drew Fata, who missed all three of last weekend's games, remain out with lower-body injuries. Neither skated at practice this morning.

"If they can't practice, they're not going to be able to play'' this weekend, coach Rob Murray said.

Hamill has a goal and seven assists and is minus-5 in 14 games.

Fata has one goal and is minus-11 in 9 games.


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Sunday's win in Worcester capped a confidence-building weekend in which Providence won two of three -- including their first road wins -- and broke out of a slump in which they'd lost seven of eight since Vladimir Sobotka, Brad Marchand and Trent Whitfield were recalled to Boston.

"We proved to ourselves that we can win on the road, win the tough games and gut it out,'' said Murray. "Friday's (2-1 shootout win) in Syracuse was just a grinding game, and we found a way. And on Sunday we showed a lot of resiliency.''

After Worcester tied the game with 1:40 left, Providence responded just seven seconds later.

Drew Larman won the center-ice draw to Jeff Penner. He lugged the puck into the offensive zone and gave it to Craig Weller, whose goal-mouth pass was stuffed in by Larman.

"It was the most emotion I've seen out of this group this year. Those kind of things bond guys. It was fun,'' Murray said.

It was Larman's first goal in 18 games this season.

"It was good to see Larman get on the board,'' said Murray, who called the Larman-Weller-Lefebvre trio Providence's best on Sunday.

"As a group, we're playing a lot better,'' Murray said.


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PC alum Jon Rheault made it to town just in time for Tuesday night's Mayor's Cup game between the Friars and Brown. He said he texted PC head coach Tim Army and assistant Dave Berard for tickets.

"It feels a little different being back in the city I went to school in,'' said Rheault, who had been playing for Ontario, Calif., of the ECHL. "It's starting to bring back memories of why I loved it so much.''

Needless to stay, playing hockey in California isn't like playing in New England. "You walk outside and it's 85-90 degrees every day. In the winter, people are complaining because it's 65 or 70 degrees,'' Rheault said.

Rheault played all three of last weekend's games.

"I'm doing whatever it takes to stay here. Every day is an opportunity and I'm trying to live up to that. I'm on the fourth line so I know the role that goes along with that. I'm trying to be an energy guy, win all my battles. Get pucks in, get pucks out . . . . Doing whatever it takes.''

"On Sunday in Worcester he made some nice plays,'' Murray said. "He's enthusiastic, he's all fired up to be playing here. He's a good skater -- he gets around the ice well.''


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Mark Derlago was released on Monday. He had a goal and was minus-2 in five games. He's headed back to Idaho of the ECHL.

 Tags  Boston Bruins Providence Bruins

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