Hockey East: Friars’ unbeaten streak continues

Providence center Josh Wilkins (Rich Gagnon)

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.