01:00 AM EST on Saturday, November 20, 2004

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

PROVIDENCE -- Providence Bruins coach Scott Gordon has given Hannu Toivonen every opportunity to succeed this season, and the young goaltender continues to impress each game.

Last night was no different.

Toivonen, 20, has played in 13 of 15 games for the P-Bruins this season and while he continues to be a work in progress, the netminder hasn't suffered through a sophomore jinx -- knock on wood.

He made 23 saves last night to help Providence to 4-2 victory over the Springfield Falcons and had one of his most consistent efforts of the season.

"He did a tremendous job controlling rebounds and securing the puck," said Gordon. "When we talk about his development that's an area that we [stress]. We've had great goaltenders here in Andrew Raycroft and Tim Thomas and they were vacuums. Hannu's starting to become a vacuum and he's sucking everything in and that's part of his development."

He's among the league leaders in games played. Going into last night's action against the Falcons, he ranked first in saves with 356 and was fourth with his .939 save percentage. He's tied for 10th with a 1.97 goals-against average and has had two shutouts.

The Boston Bruins' first pick (29th overall) in the 2002 NHL entry draft, Toivonen started nine straight games to start the season and hasn't slowed down a bit.

"If you get to play a lot," said Toivonen, "each and every game you feel more comfortable. You have certain routines before every game and in time you start feeling better. No goalie is going to complain about playing a lot."

His biggest save of the night came early in the third period with the P-Bruins clinging to a one-goal lead. At the seven-minute mark Toivonen stoned the Falcons' Shane Willis, who had a tremendous point-blank opportunity.

Henderson back in action

P-Bruins captain Jay Henderson returned to action last night after serving a three-game suspension for his actions against the Hershey Bears on Nov. 12. Henderson and the Bears' Jeff Finger, who was suspended for one game, were involved in an on-ice incident and continued it off the ice after both were sent to the locker rooms. Before last night's game against the Falcons, Henderson had a goal, 2 assists and 55 minutes in penalties.

Leahy, Walsh on shelf

Last season the P-Bruins were plagued by hamstring injuries. This season the ailments have headed south. Forwards Pat Leahy and Brendan Walsh are both out of the lineup, Leahy with a broken kneecap and Walsh with a broken foot. Leahy will likely miss 8-10 weeks. He suffered the the injury on Wednesday in Bridgeport. Walsh broke his foot last weekend, and could be back sooner rather than later. Leahy missed 19 games last season after breaking his ankle on Dec. 20.

Defenseman Kevin Dallman was injured in the first period last night when he was leveled behind his own net and did not return. He was taken for x-rays but the tests were not immediately known last night.

Background on Allen

Earlier this week the P-Bruins signed goaltender Andrew Allen and released Peter Hamerlik from his contract. Allen, 28, a native of Vankleek Hill, Ontario, is playing in his fourth professional season. He's out of the University of Vermont, where he followed former Providence netminder Tim Thomas. Allen was 4-1-1 with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in 6 games with the Trenton Titans this season. As a rookie in 2001-2002, he set an East Coast League record when he made 78 saves in a 5-4 triple-overtime win with the Jackson Bandits. He also tied an ECHL mark in 2002-03 with three consecutive shutouts in his first three games in Trenton. Also, in 12 career AHL games (with Hershey, Binghamton and Utah) he's 3-6-0 with a 2.50 GAA and a .926 save percentage. Hamerlik was 1-1-1 with a 4.02 GAA and a .877 save percentage in three games with Providence.

Food drive tomorrow

The Providence Bruins will conduct a food drive before tomorrow's game at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods to the box-office lobby. The team will donate all items to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.