Bruins, Moose capture critical Game 2 wins at home


PROVIDENCE 2, PORTLAND 1

Providence captain Jeremy Reich scored through a screen at 10:32 of the third period to break a 1-1 tie and give the Bruins a 2-1 win over visiting Portland in Game 2 of their Atlantic Division semifinal at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Friday.

The best-of-7 series is now tied at one game apiece, with Game 3 set for Sunday afternoon in Portland.

After a scoreless first period, the Bruins netted their first goal of the series when Vladimir Sobotka beat Pirates goaltender Jhonas Enroth at 2:01 of the second frame.

Providence maintained that 1-0 advantage into the third period before Pirates captain Tyler Bouck scored shorthanded at 3:33, taking a wrist shot from the high slot that deflected in off Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask.

That set the stage for Reich’s game-winner, which went through a maze of bodies in front of the Portland net. Wacey Rabbit and defenseman Adam McQuaid picked up helpers on the goal.

Rask finished with 27 saves on 28 shots to help the B’s snap a five-game playoff losing skid, all against the Pirates. Enroth made 38 saves in the losing effort.

Attendance at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center was 6,040.


MANITOBA 4, TORONTO 2
Manitoba jumped to a quick 3-0 lead and weathered a Toronto comeback attempt to emerge with a crucial 4-2 win over the Marlies on Friday before 9,111 fans at the MTS Centre.

The regular-season champion Moose evened their North Division semifinal at a game apiece and snapped a seven-game losing skid to the Marlies.

Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Sunday in Toronto.

Jason Jaffray and Michael Grabner scored just 15 seconds apart in the first period for Manitoba, and Maxime Fortunus made it a 3-0 game on the power play 4:21 into the second.

Jiri Tlusty put the Marlies on the board midway through the second frame, and Darryl Boyce made it a 3-2 game 5:41 into the third. But Toronto could not find the equalizer, and Jaffray sealed Manitoba’s victory with an empty-net tally in the game’s final minute.

Moose goaltender Cory Schneider earned the win with 27 saves on 29 shots, and Manitoba held Toronto scoreless on three power play chances.

Manitoba had not beaten the Marlies since a 4-2 triumph on Nov. 15.