PROVIDENCE EXTENDS STREAK TO FOUR

Tardif Hat Trick Leads Bruins to 6-3 Win Over Springfiled

Providence, RI -- The Providence Bruins defeated the Springfield Falcons 6-3 this evening at The Dunkin' Donuts Center and improve to 13-8-0-2. Jamie Tardif scored a hat trick, including the game-winner, and Chris Bourque added his team-leading 20th point, an assist (2g, 18a). Lane MacDermid, Craig Cunningham and Ryan Spooner also scored. Niklas Svedberg posted 27 saves en route to earning his 11th win of the season.

Tonight's matchup provided the Bruins with a crucial opportunity to continue their ascent in the Eastern Conference standings. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy was eager to build off the momentum gained from last weekend's highly successful stand, highlighted by key victories over divisional rivals Manchester Monarchs and Worcester Sharks. Both Svedberg and his Springfield counterpart Curtis McElhinney have been amongst the AHL's top goaltenders this season; thus it wasn't too surprising to see the clubs head into the first intermission in a scoreless tie. Both Svedberg and McElhinney were perfect, turning aside 12 and 9 shots, respectively.

Lane MacDermid took advantage of a sloppy Falcon power-play effort and provided the Bruins with the ever-important first goal, beating McElhinney for his 2nd marker of the season four minutes in. The Bruins were riding high after the MacDermid shorthanded marker, and fed off the energy of the crowd to build upon their lead. Tardif would take advantage of a Springfield tripping minor and increase the Bruins lead, netting his team-best 11th goal. A mere 13 seconds later, Carter Camper would send Craig Cunningham on a one-on-duel against McElhinney, with Cunningham getting the better of the Falcon netminder for his 3rd goal on the season.

The second period would come to a close with the Bruins lead in tact as Svedberg stopped all 8 Springfield opportunities he faced.

The Northeast Division leaders would refuse to go down without a fight, showing great resolve in beating Svedberg twice in eighteen seconds in the opening moments of the third period, setting up for a dramatic finish. Tomas Kubalik and Nick Drazonevic were the goal-scorers for Springfield, registering their 6th and 8th goals of the season. The Falcons wave of momentum was short-lived however, as Tardif would deliver for the Bruins yet again just moments later, re-enforcing a Bruin two-goal advantage.

Cam Atkinson built on a hot-streak of his own, tallying his 6th goal in the past five games to cut the Bruins lead back to one entering the final ten minutes of regulation.

With just over 7 minutes remaining, Ryan Spooner sealed the Bruin victory with a beautiful breakaway goal, good for his 6th of the season.

Svedberg, just as he has done multiple times this season so far, closed the door on a barrage of Falcon opportunities. Tardif sent the Bruins' faithful home happy, completing the hat trick with an empty-net goal in the waning moments.

The horn would finally sound on Springfield's prospects, thus confirming that the Bruins had indeed picked up their fourth victory in as many games.