Backhanders Beat Pasquale, Bruins Win 3-2
Tonight the Providence Bruins took on the St. John’s IceCaps at the Mile One Centre and went on to defeat them 3-2 in a shootout victory. Alden Hirschfeld, who was called up last week from the South Carolina Sting Rays(ECHL), scored his first AHL goal while Ryan Spooner added another regulation goal and the game-winning shootout goal.
While the first time these two teams met this season the scoring began just 22 seconds into the game, it wouldn’t be until the remaining 5 seconds of the second frame that in his second game with the Bruins, Hirschfield would give the Bruins a 1-0 lead with Bourque and Cunningham getting the assists.
Just 58 seconds into the third and final frame the IceCaps’ Zach Redmond would tie the game, but it wouldn’t be for long as Ryan Spooner went five-hole on Eddie Pasquale just 37 seconds later. Chris Bourque, once again picking up an assist. At 16:45 the IceCaps would strike again for the final tally of regulation as captain Jason Jaffray tied the game at 2 and sent the game into an additional five minutes.
Through the added frame there was a lot of back and forth battle with an interesting 3-on-3 as each team received matching minor penalties. Despite the excitement the five minutes wasn’t enough and the game was sent into a shutout.
The first shooter for the Bruins was forward Ryan Spooner who, once again, went backhand and was able to put the puck past Pasquale. Five shooters went up against Niklas Svedberg who stood like a concrete wall between the pipes, not budging as he shut each of them out insuring a 3-2 victory for the Bruins. The victory is Svedberg’s second shutout win of the season.
Game Notes…
Goaltending…
Providence: Niklas Svedberg 31 saves out of 33 shots faced. Shootout: No shots allowed out of 5.
St John’s: Eddie Pasquale 38 saves out of 40 shots faced. Shootout: 1 shot allowed out of 5.
Power Play Opportunities…
Providence: 0/5 St Johns: 1/6
Three Stars of the Game…
1. Zach Redmond 1G, 1A (St. John’s)
2. Ryan Spooner 1G, 1SOG (Providence)
3. Niklas Svedberg SOV (Providence)
*All statistical information courtesy of AHL.com and Official Game Sheet.