AHL Providence Bruins

P-Bruins Fall to Falcons in Home Opener

Published on October 8, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins fell to the Springfield Falcons 5-1 in the 2010-11 season home opener in front of 10,461 fans Friday evening at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Providence's lone goal came on a power play from Kirk MacDonald in the third period. The P-Bruins return to The Dunk on Friday, October 15 at 7:05 p.m. in another matchup with Springfield.

The first period started off slow as both Providence and Springfield went scoreless. Both teams struggled to get their legs steady in the opening minutes, but were quick to recover for the remainder of the opening period. Providence controlled the play in the offensive zone throughout the period and had many odd-man rushes, yet was unable to capitalize. Veteran defenseman Nathan McIver reminded fans why he was brought into the Bruins organization with a fight with Springfield's Steven Goertzen at the 3:03 mark. Both received five minutes for fighting. Despite controlling the offensive zone and having multiple quality chances in front of Springfield goalie Dan Taylor, Providence was unable to connect. An otherwise quiet period ended with Lane MacDermid dropping the gloves with Kyle Neuber with 30 seconds left on the clock. MacDermid and Neuber received fighting penalties on the play.

Springfield took an early lead in the second with a Michael Blunden short-handed goal that trickled through the legs of Providence goalie Matt Dalton in the opening minute. The P-Bruins continued to struggle in their defensive zone and Chad Kolarik took advantage of it at the 4:30 mark when he scored Springfield's first power play goal of the game. Just over a minute later, Springfield connected for their third goal of the period off of a shot from Matt Calvert during a delayed penalty. Providence capitalized on Springfield mistakes in the neutral zone, but was unable to connect in front of Taylor. However, with just .1 second remaining in the period, Kolarik notched his second power play goal of the game off a scuffle in front of the net to send the P-Bruins into the locker room down by four.

Providence struggled early in the third period but gained some much needed momentum with a short-handed goal from Macdonald at the 5:46 mark. MacDermid got the assist on the play after a two-on-one break into the Springfield zone. MacDermid was able to connect with a rushing MacDonald who ripped a shot from the top of the circle. Providence gained more momentum following the goal as Max Sauve and Zach Hamill undressed Springfield defenders in the offensive zone. However, Providence was unable to capitalize on a five-on-three power play midway through the period. Springfield answered the P-Bruins' lone goal of the game with a short-handed goal at the 16:11 mark from Grant Clitsome.

Dalton suffered the loss, stopping 12 of 16 shots in 40 minutes before being relieved in the third frame by rookie Michael Hutchinson, making his professional debut. Hutchinson faced only one shot in 20 minutes, allowing a goal. Taylor earned the win with 38 saves in 60 minutes.

The P-Bruins, who out-shot the Falcons 39-17, including 17-1 in the third, failed to score on five power play chances and went just 2-for-4 on the penalty kill. Springfield was assessed 20 penalty minutes to Providence's 18.

Providence continues the weekend at Springfield's MassMutual Center on Saturday, October 9 at 7 p.m. against the Falcons. P-Bruins season tickets and Flex Tix packages are on sale for the 2010-11 season. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the P-Bruins ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or log on to www.providencebruins.com.

For all the latest Providence Bruins news, updates and special offers, become a fan of the P-Bruins on Facebook at www.facebook.com/providencebruins or follow the club on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AHLBruins.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2010


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