AHL Providence Bruins

P-Bruins Defeat Pirates 3-2, Clinch Playoff Birth

Published on April 4, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins defeated the Portland Pirates 3-2 Saturday evening in a shootout in front of 8,917 fans at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The P-Bruins got their goals in regulation from Vladimir Sobotka and Brad Marchand and in the shootout from Martin St. Pierre. The P-Bruins return home to the Dunkin' Donuts Center Sunday for a Family Game versus the Manchester Monarchs at 7:05 p.m.

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead at the 17:21 mark of the opening period, while on the power play. Colton Fretter tallied his 22nd goal of the season, with Colin Murphy and Marc-Andre Gragnani recording the assists. Portland led 1-0 after the first period.

Providence tied the game at one only 14 seconds into the second period, while shorthanded. Johnny Boychuk picked up the puck behind his own net and banked it off the glass to Sobotka. He skated in front of the net and scored his 18th goal of the season. Portland retook the lead at the 13:56 mark. Mathieu Darche netted his 27th goal of the season, while Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy picked up the assists. Portland led 2-1 going into the second intermission.

The P-Bruins tied the game at two at the 10:30 mark of the third period. Matt Stephenson had the puck behind the P-Bruins net and sent it halfway up the boards to Sobotka. He sent it into the neutral zone for Marchand who weaved pasted a Pirates defenseman and backhanded the puck top shelf into the net for his 17th goal of the season. The game went into overtime tied at two.

After a scoreless overtime, the game went into a shootout. St. Pierre scored in round one and no one else scored as the P-Bruins went onto a 3-2 shootout victory to clinch a playoff birth.

Tuukka Rask stopped 26 of 28 shots in regulation and five of five shots in the shootout, while Jhonas Enroth made 30 saves in regulation and four saves in the shootout for the Pirates. The P-Bruins were 0-for-5 on the power play and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Sunday the P-Bruins take on the Manchester Monarchs for a Family Game at 4:05 p.m. Receive a ticket, hot dog and soda for one low price. Information on P-Bruins tickets can be obtained by calling the team ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or by logging onto the team website at providencebruins.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2009


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