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AHL Providence Bruins

Smith's Shutout Eliminates IceCaps from Playoff Contention

April 3, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Jeremy Smith shut out the St. John's IceCaps as the Providence Bruins skated to a 3-0 win Friday night at the Mile One Centre. The loss for the home team officially eliminated them from Calder Cup Playoff contention. Smith made 37 saves on the night, including 16 in the third period.

The Bruins struck twice in the first period, and had a few other quality chances. The first scoring chance of the game came for St. John's, but Smith made a couple of consecutive saves in front, and it fueled an Alexander Khokhlachev breakaway. Conor Hellebuyck made the save, and blocked the first ten that came his way.

Later in the frame, the P-Bruins had their first power play, and Justin Florek was robbed from the doorstep. After collecting the rebound, Joel Armia sprung into a breakaway, but missed the net high. Rob Flick scored the game-winner with a slapper from the right wing circle at 17:12. He shot so hard that he fell over, and the puck zipped over Hellebuyck's shoulder for the lead. Ben Sexton scored to double the lead only 1:16 later, with a wrister past Hellebuyck.

The IceCaps' best scoring chance of the game came in the middle period, when Brandon MacLean was knocked over, fell into the crease, and saw the puck land in front of him. MacLean's momentum carried him into the near post, knocking the cage away just before he could drag the puck in with him. Tyler Randell sealed the deal with an interception in the left wing circle, then deposited a wrister from the slot to make it 3-0 visitors with 1:12 left in the frame.

With about 3:30 remaining in regulation, Hellebuyck was pulled, as the IceCaps continued a five-minute power play. However, the team mustered just a pair of shots on net during the 6-on-4 stretch, and the Bruins held on for the win.

The victory guarantees the Bruins will be no worse than seventh place in the Eastern Conference after Friday's games, and as high as fifth, depending on the Worcester Sharks and Hartford Wolf Pack contests.

The Bruins cap off their road trip with another game against the St. John's IceCaps Saturday at 6pm EDT.

PROVIDENCE SCORING:

#10 Rob Flick (#16 Zack Phillips, #28 Paul Carey)

#34 Ben Sexton (#11 Tyler Randell, #6 Chris Casto)

Randell

PROVIDENCE GOALTENDING:

#30 Jeremy Smith (37 saves on 37 shots)

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