Providence split its first two games at Hershey. Providence won Game 1 3-1 on Saturday and led Game 2 on Sunday 2-1 with 2:30 left in the third period when Hershey defenseman Christian Djoos scored to tie the game. Hershey won 3-2 in overtime. The series moves to Providence for Games 3-5 starting Thursday.
Despite finishing with 96 points, sixth-most in the AHL, Providence finished fourth in the Atlantic Division.
Providence has continued its history of winning while producing talent for the Bruins. This season forwards Peter Cehlarik, Danton Heinen, Anton Blidh and Noel Acciari, and defenseman Charlie McAvoy spent time with the Bruins.
On-ice success is linked with successful player development, according to John Ferguson, Bruins executive director of player personnel and Providence general manager.
"[The goal] is to develop NHL players in a competitive, successful environment," he said. "There is no mutual exclusivity between winning and development. They go hand in hand. Frankly one helps the other. You can't do one without the other, and you can't win without development."
Providence coach Kevin Dean is in his first season after spending nine seasons as an AHL assistant coach and has drawn positive reviews for his work.
"Kevin had a really good base of knowledge of these players, having been [Bruins coach] Bruce Cassidy's assistant for five years [with Providence]," Ferguson said. "He paid his dues, earned his way up, and has done a tremendous job."
Dean has a well-balanced mix of players that can grind opponents down by blending speed, defensive diligence and the ability to counterstrike offensively.
"When we play our best hockey we're hard on the puck and make the simple, little plays that in the big picture add up," Providence goaltender Zane McIntyre said.
McIntyre continues to lead the push with a 2.22 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in seven games.
"He is a very diligent worker on and off the ice," Ferguson said of McIntyre. "Not just studying opponents but his own technique, working with our goalie coach [Bob Essensa], working in the weight room with our trainers. That diligent, professional approach is paying dividends for him. He has made a substantial step forward."
Dean said he knows Hershey gained momentum from its come-from-behind Game 2 win.
"Like I said going into overtime, we're one shot away from going up 2-0," he said after Game 2. "That's pretty good. We ended up getting out 1-1.
"I've liked our game. I think we've got to create a little more offense, both off the rush and in the offensive zone. But I think defensively we were playing pretty stout."
Here is a breakdown of each of the other three second-round series:
