For Boston Bruins’ minor league affiliates Providence and Maine, the excitement of making the playoffs quickly turned to disappointment as both teams were eliminated in the first round of their respective postseasons last week.
The Providence Bruins, who entered the playoffs as the three-seed in the Atlantic Division, lost their final eight contests across regular and postseason play. Providence faced the six-seeded Bridgeport Islanders in the first round, a matchup that hadn’t been favorable in the regular season, and dropped a pair of 2-1 heartbreakers in overtime.
In Maine, the Mariners lost in their opening round series of the ECHL’s Kelly Cup Playoffs to the Reading Royals (Philadelphia Flyers), 4-2.