In the longest game in Providence Bruins history, and 22nd longest game in American Hockey League history, Seth Griffith beat Hartford Wolf Pack netminder Yann Danis at 2:00 of the third overtime period to win it 2-1 for the Bruins.
The win gives Providence the 2-1 lead in the teams’ Eastern Conference quarterfinals series, with Game 4 coming Tuesday night at 7:05 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Brady Skjei netted his first professional goal midway through the first period to draw first blood for the Wolf Pack for the third straight game. Michael Kostka and Danny Kristo nabbed the assists on the power-play tally that would hold as the lone goal until 19:54 of the second, when Alexander Khokhlachev sent one home for his second goal in as many games.
A scoreless third passed, and it was Griffith who ended the game two minutes into the third overtime with his first of the playoffs.
Providence goalie Malcolm Subban stopped 46-of-47 shots, while Danis stopped 45-of-47, each having played the full 102 minutes.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Series “C” (best-of-5)
3-Hartford Wolf Pack vs. 6-Providence Bruins
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 22 – HARTFORD 3, Providence 1
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 25 – Providence 2, HARTFORD 1
Game 3 – Sun., Apr. 26 – PROVIDENCE 2, Hartford 1 (3OT)
Game 4 – Tue., Apr. 28 – Hartford at Providence, 7:05
*Game 5 – Fri., May 1 – Providence at Hartford, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern