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Providence Bruins

Empty-Netter Seals Game One for Hartford

April 22, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


HARTFORD, C.T. - The Providence Bruins had ample opportunities to score at even strength, on the power play, and even with a sixth skater, but the Hartford Wolf Pack iced a 3-1 Game One victory with an empty-net goal at the XL Center on Wednesday.

Hartford scored the first goal of the series at 4:58, when former P-Bruin Steve Spinell's slapper was tipped in from the slot by Tyer Brown. The Bruins had the game's first power play and some great chances on each of its early man advantages, plus the stretch of 4-on-4. David Pastrnak broke free, but Mat Bodie stripped him from behind just in time to prevent a shot while the teams were at reduced but even strength. On the ensuing power play, Providence started with a minute-plus in the offensive zone, with three shots on goal. Two rebounds hopped over P-Bruins sticks, including one just between the near post and Alexander Khokhlachev. Just after one of the Wolf Pack's man advantages ended, Bruins goalie Jeremy Smith made an impressive kick save just by the far post, as Ryan Haggerty had a spin-around wrister on target.

Each team scored in the second, including a power play bid for the visitors. The Wolf Pack started the period shorthanded and got a pair of shots on Smith less than 0:30 into the frame. Wolf Pack Goalie Yann Danis made a big save on a Chris Casto wrister later in the period, which was the Bruins' last shot before Hartford expanded the lead. Danny Kristo guided one in from the slot on a pass from Chris Mueller by the goal line at 3:19. Tyler Randell dropped the gloves with public enemy #1 Justin Vaive (who had two game-winning goals against Providence in the regular season), though the larger Vaive won the quick bout. Randell got the last laugh though, as his actions added fuel to the fire. On their next power play, Providence finally got on the board. Zach Trotman scored backdoor on a feed from Khokhlachev from the other side of the crease with 11:26 left in the period. Smith added another couple of big near-side saves on bids from Tommy Hughes when the teams were back at even strength. It was 2-1 Wolf Pack after a pair of frames...

The Bruins' best scoring chance of the third came with 11:34 left, when David Pastrnak had a puck hop over his stick just before he crossed the goal line. Carl Klingberg added an empty-net tally with 3.5 seconds remaining, though Hartford nearly had two other empty-netters.

Game Two of the series is Saturday at 7pm, also at the XL Center.

PROVIDENCE SCORING:

#37 Zach Trotman (#13 Alexander Khokohlachev, #24 Ryan Spooner, PPG)

PROVIDENCE GOALTENDING:

#30 Jeremy Smith (22 saves on 24 shots)

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