3/22/09
By T. Chace Jr.
In a game that had the atmosphere of a playoff series, the Providence Bruins defeated the first place Hartford Wolf Pack 5-3 to close within a point of Hartford, with a game in hand. Things did not start off too well for the home team as Hartford scored twice in the first seven minutes. As deflating as that was, the B's were able to get one back before the period ended on a goal by Johnny Boychuck, with assists from Marty St. Pierre and Vladimir Sobotka.
In the second period, Zach Hamill scored his 11th goal unassisted at the 2:43 mark to tie the game at two. The game was chippy and physical all day, referee Nygel Pelletier saw fit to call 15 penalties in all. Hartford scored on a power play a little over halfway though the period to go up 3-2. The resilient Bruins were able to respond however with a Kirk MacDonald goal with only 45 seconds remaining in the period to once again tie the score as the teams headed to the third period in a 3-3 tie.
The Bruins came out flying in the third period and their offensive pressure led to two penalties called on Hartford which created a two man advantage. The Bruins wasted little time in taking the lead for good on another goal by Johnny Boychuck. A huge blast from inside the blue line that beat Hatford goaltender Maxime Daigneault. Wacey Rabbitt followed up with an empty net goal with twenty seconds left in the game. Final score: Providence 5 Hartford 3.
*Hartford chirped, slashed, and shoved Providence players all day trying to goad them into retaliation penalties. The Bruins showed great restraint. Jared Nightingale started a fight with Vladimir Sobotka in a short wrestling match in the third period for the only fisticuffs.
*Brodie Dupont stood in front of the Providence bench for well over 2 minutes during one timeout, while the officials were busy. The Providence bench wished him and his teammates all the best.
*The three stars were Boychuck, Hartford D-Man Brian Fahey and St. Pierre.
* Tuukka Rask gets the win, and no suspension thus far for his temper tantrum against Albany last Friday night.
*All of the Rhode Island High School Hobey Baker Award recipients were introduced after the second period. Congratulations to all our high school boys & girls winners.
* Attendance was 7327. Providence is seventh in the league in attendance, averaging about 6100 fans.
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