(falconsahl.com) — The Springfield Falcons were defeated by the Providence Bruins by a score of 2-1 in overtime Friday night at the MassMutual Center.
Providence evened the best-of-five series at 1-1 with Game 3 set for Saturday in Springfield.
Bruins forward Matt Fraser scored the game-winning goal 3:54 into the extra period, receiving a drop pass from Nick Johnson and firing a wrist shot past Springfield netminder Mike McKenna to break the tie and end the game. For Fraser, it was his first goal and second point of the 2014 postseason after registering an assist in Game 1 Wednesday.
Former Falcons defenseman Blake Parlett scored Providence’s only goal in regulation, giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 7:29 of the first period on a shot from the high slot. Parlett played 37 games with the Falcons during the 2013-14 regular season before being traded to the Boston Bruins organization in an exchange for forward Carter Camper.
Springfield’s Michael Chaput evened the score at the 4:43 mark of the second period, finishing on the doorstep off of a feed from the point by defenseman Tim Erixon. The tally was Chaput’s first of the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs and second of his postseason career.
McKenna made 34 saves on 36 shots between the posts for Springfield, falling to 1-1 in the 2014 postseason.
Providence goaltender Niklas Svedberg improved to 1-1, stopping 23 of 24 shots faced Friday night.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Series “B” (best-of-5)
2-Springfield Falcons vs. 7-Providence Bruins
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 23 – Springfield 3, PROVIDENCE 2 (OT)
Game 2 – Fri., Apr. 25 – Providence 2, SPRINGFIELD 1 (OT)
Game 3 – Sat., Apr. 26 – Providence at Springfield, 7:00
Game 4 – Tue., Apr. 29 – Springfield at Providence, 7:05
*Game 5 – Sat., May 3 – Providence at Springfield, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern