Providence hangs on for series-opening win

Rask

The Providence Bruins (AHL) withstood a furious rally by Hershey and hung on for a 3-2 win over the host Bears in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals last night.

Providence will continue its pursuit of the conference title tonight in Gam2 of the series, also in Hershey.

Goaltender Tuukka Rask made 11 of his 30 saves while defending a one-goal lead in the third period. Rask was also helped by a Bears shot off the crossbar. The P-Bruins were outshot, 11-5, in the third period, but had already built their lead on the strength of two power-play goals.

Defenseman Jeff Penner scored on a man-advantage 8:03 into the game and then forward Jordan Knackstedt doubled the lead with a power-play goal at 16:19. Matt Marquardt scored an even-strength goal in the second period for a 3-1 lead. Oskar Osala scored both of Hershey’s goals.

Forwards Peter Schaefer and Zach Hamill recorded two assists apiece for Providence.