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Bruins Outlast IceCaps in OT Thriller

December 9, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release


Craig Cunningham scored just over a minute into overtime as the Providence Bruins emerged victorious 5-4 over the St. John's IceCaps in a wild back-and-forth affair at Mile One Centre on Tuesday night.

Eric O'Dell snapped his seven-game goalless skid with a pair of goals and Brenden Kichton added a pair of assists for the IceCaps, who have now dropped three games against the Bruins this season in extra time.

The Bruins opened the scoring on the power play just under five minutes into the game as Steve Eminger snuck a wrist shot from the point that got behind a screened Peter Budaj at 4:57.

Providence pushed the lead to two with just over a minute remaining in the opening period as Rob Flick beat Budaj up high with a quick shot for his fourth goal of the season and his third in his last two games at 18:41.

The Bruins kept their foot on the gas into second period as Alexander Khokhlachev took a perfect tape-to-tape pass from David Pastrnak and tapped in his sixth of the year at 9:27.

But the IceCaps didn't give up.

St. John's cut the deficit to two just over a minute later as Eric O'Dell pounced on a loose puck in front of Bruins starting goaltender Jeremy Smith and snapped the puck into the net for his eighth goal of the season and his first in seven games with 9:03 left in the second.

With 6:32 left in the period, the IceCaps cut into the Bruins lead again. Scott Kosmachuk was hauled down on a breakaway resulting in the first penalty shot of his professional career. He moved in on Smith slowly down the left wing and cut to the middle before roofing a shot behind the goaltender.

O'Dell completed the comeback less than a minute later as he forced a Bruins turnover and headed in alone down the left wing. He made a great move to cut into the middle of the ice and slid the puck under Smith's left pad for his second of the period with 6:11 remaining in the frame.

The IceCaps took the lead just over five minutes into the third period. After a failed two-on-one attempt, John Albert fired a shot toward the net that hit a defender and landed back on his stick. He made no mistake on the second chance and beat Smith at 5:06.

With time ticking away in the third period, the Bruins clawed their way back to tie the game. Frankie Simonelli jumped on a puck behind the net and banked it in off the back of Budaj's leg to even the score with 2:56 remaining in the game.

Just over a minute into the extra frame, Cunningham jumped all over a rebound in front of the IceCaps net and beat Budaj to earn the win for the Bruins.

The IceCaps are back at Mile One Centre tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 10, as they host the Bruins for their last game at Mile One Centre before the Christmas break. Catch all the action with broadcaster Brian Rogers at www.stjohnsicecaps.com and 930 AM This is Newfoundland Labrador, or watch on Rogers TV or online at www.ahllive.com. Pregame show begins a half hour before puck drop.

Notes: Not dressed: Keaton Ellerby, Brandon MacLean, Blair Riley, Patrick Holland, and Ralfs Freibergs. Patrice Cormier was recalled by Winnipg late Monday ... St. John's went 0-for-4 with the man advantage and 3-for-5 on the penalty kill... The IceCaps were outshot 35-28... Captain Jason Jaffray returned to the IceCaps lineup for the first time since Oct. 10... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Eric O'Dell 2. Alexander Khokhlachev 3. Craig Cunningham ... Mary Brown's Hardest Working Player: Julian Melchiori.

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