BRUINS FALL TO FALCONS IN SHOOTOUT

Back at The Dunk Sunday, March 3

Springfield, MA -- The Providence Bruins fell to the Springfield Falcons 2-1 in a shootout this evening at the MassMutual Center. Jordan Caron scored for Providence. Michael Hutchinson posted 24 saves as the Bruins registered their fifth shootout loss of the season. Despite the loss, the Bruins sit in first place in the Atlantic and have a two-point cushion going into tomorrow's matchup with the second place Portland Pirates.

The Bruins, hot off a  3-1 win over the Worcester Sharks last night in Providence, got in sync early in the game. Caron, alone in front of Allen York, tapped a centering pass from Bobby Robins past the Falcons' goaltender at 7:21 of the first frame. Christian Hanson also assisted on the opening goal. Less than two minutes later, tough guy Tyler Randell single handedly, literally as one of his hands was stuck in his jersey, sent Mike Banwell to the ice with a right hook. Play continued to be very physical throughout the remainder of the frame, but Providence held on to their 1-0 lead.

Springfield came out hungry for a goal in the second period. Their pressure paid off just over halfway through the frame at 12:38 when Cody Bass sent a rocket past Hutchinson  from the slot.

The Bruins kept up the pressure, throwing shots at York throughout the remainder of the game. However, York was flawless in between the pipes, standing on his head to make some saves. However, neither team could find the back of the net and the game was forced to overtime. This was the first time in the season series between the teams that the game was not decided in regulation.

After a scoreless overtime, the Bruins and Falcons went to a shootout. Both Hutchinson and York stopped their first shooters, respectively. However, Hutchinson would not have that luck in the remaining rounds. The Bruins, who shot first, could not get past York in four rounds, which forced Hutchinson to save the game. Despite a solid effort, Jonathan Audy-Marchessault scored the shootout winner in the third round to take the 2-1 win.