It’s been a while since Providence College’s hockey team last lost a game — Nov. 23 to be precise. The Friars are 5-0-3 over the eight games since that 3-1 loss at Denver in the first of a two-game series in the Mile High City.
That streak continued this past weekend as Providence defeated Miami, 4-2, on Friday night before skating to a 3-3 tie in the series finale a night later. Over the eight game unbeaten streak, the Friars are averaging 3.625 goals per game.
A major reason for the uptick in offense has come from the team’s first line as it was constituted this weekend and for six of the eight games. Junior captain Kasper Bjorkqvist has been on the left wing with freshman Jack Dugan on the right wing and junior Josh Wilkins in the middle.
Before Saturday night, Bjorkqvist had scored at least a point in seven straight games. He had three goals and seven assists during that span. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect has been good in all three zones. On Friday, he made a great backcheck to break up a play in his own zone just seconds after a great chance in the attacking end.
“I didn’t think (Bjorkqvist) had his ‘A’ game tonight,” commented head coach Nate Leaman, who always seems to hold his top players to very high standards.
Dugan had two really pretty assists on Friday night and he followed that up with another helper on Saturday night. He’s able to wheel and deal throughout the offensive zone and he’s continuing to evolve into a more well-rounded player, according to Leaman.
“The past two games Jack’s been playing the game much more complete,” said Leaman immediately following Friday’s win. “He’s moving his feet really well. The puck is coming to him a lot more. He was getting pucks and just looking to score right away. Now he’s working to get the puck. It showed in his game. He’s been out the last shift because he’s good on the wall.”
Dugan has seven goals and 15 assists over his first 20 college games after playing for Northwood School and the Chicago Steel in the USHL. A 2017 fifth round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, Dugan has certainly proven he’s a future pro player with his play this season.
Despite Saturday’s late collapse in which the Friars surrendered a two-goal lead late, Providence has the ability to wear teams down with their heavy lineup. In addition to Bjorkqvist, the Friars’ coaching staff counts on Brandon Duhaime, Greg Printz and Vimal Sukumaran to be agitators and disrupt the opposition’s flow.
Duhaime, a Minnesota Wild prospect, had an assist in both games. Leaman was particularly impressed after Friday’s win.
“Brandon was outstanding tonight. He had jump all week so I knew he was going to play well tonight,” said Leaman.
“We have to be heavy. We have to drive. We have to make teams really, really work to get the puck back. If we continue to do that, we’ll be a load,” continued Leaman.
After Providence unexpectedly lost freshman Mikael Hakkarainen following just one game, the coaching staff was in search of a reinforcement for the second semester. They found that in the form of Marblehead, Mass., native Matt Koopman, who was originally slated to join the program next September.
“I knew they had lost a player, but I never really thought I’d be the one. I was just having a good year out in Waterloo and was just focusing on that. When coach Leaman calls, you can’t say no to that. The goal for me was always to play college hockey. It was a no-brainer.”
Koopman had the game-winning goal Friday night, but was noticeable all over the ice with his puck pursuit and skating ability.
“He’s been excellent. He’s exactly what our lineup needed. We needed speed, we needed some tenacity and he has a good stick. Every game I’ve liked him. It was nice to see him get rewarded,” Leaman complimented.
Koopman hopes his style can continue to help the Friars without disrupting what should be a terrific year.
“Coming to Providence, they’re obviously a good team so you don’t want to do anything to get in the way,” said Koopman, who played prep hockey at Berkshire.
Koopman and the Friars get back to Hockey East action with a Friday tilt at Boston College before returning to Schneider Arena Saturday to host Boston University.
