Matthew Poitras Scores Late as Providence Beats Hartford 3-2

Matthew Poitras snapped a deadlock with 1:49 left, ringing a quick shot from the right-wing circle past Hartford goaltender Dylan Garand to give the Providence Bruins a 3-2 victory at PeoplesBank Arena on March 4, 2026. Michael DiPietro finished with 39 saves and earned first-star honors as Providence rallied from a two-goal deficit.

Hartford opened the scoring 2:38 into the game when Trey Fix-Wolansky ripped a shot from the right-wing circle that beat DiPietro. Hartford dominated the opening frame offensively, outshooting Providence 11-6, and the goal was recorded as Fix-Wolansky’s team-leading 19th of the season and his sixth against the Bruins.

The Wolf Pack extended the lead early in the second when Fabian Lysell’s high-sticking infraction created a four-minute power play. Derrick Pouliot stepped into a blast 6:36 into the middle stanza to make it 2-0; Adam Sýkora picked up the primary assist, his second of the night. Providence’s goaltending kept the visitors within reach, and the Bruins finally found traction midway through the period.

Frederic Brunet got Providence on the board at 12:32 of the second with a five-on-five finish after John Farinacci was sprawled on top of Garand; Hartford protested for goaltender interference but officials allowed the goal to stand. Just 1:28 later Riley Tufte tied the game at 2-2 on the power play at 14:00, settling a bounced puck in the slot and ripping a shot by Garand. Providence’s social post hailed Tufte’s tally as his team-leading 23rd of the season, and team materials also noted it was his third goal against the Wolf Pack this year.

The third period turned into a goaltender duel, with DiPietro and Garand trading stops and both teams generating sporadic high-quality chances. Overtime appeared likely until Poitras chased down a loose puck in the right circle and released the winner at 18:11 of the period (58:11 game clock). Hartford could not solve DiPietro again in the final seconds, and the game ended 3-2 in Providence’s favor.

The win improved Providence to 42-10-1-0 and, by The Rink Live’s tally, extended the Bruins’ winning streak to four games. Hartford dropped its second straight decision. Period shot details reported included Hartford firing 11 shots in the first and 18 in the second; Providence managed six in the opening frame. Providence’s next scheduled trip is to Bridgeport on March 7, while Hartford is set to visit Bridgeport on March 6.