Boyes' o.t. goal lifts Providence in Game 3

09:04 AM EDT on Tuesday, May 24, 2005

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

PROVIDENCE -- After losing the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals on the road, the motley crew known as the Providence Bruins returned to their home sweet home last night.

Journal photo / Bill Murphy

The P-Bruins' Thomas Kurka goes down at the feet of Philadelphia defensemen Joni Pitkanen, and Freddy Meyer in the first period of last night's game.

The familiar surroundings at the Dunkin' Donuts Center certainly helped.

Despite the losses to the Philadelphia Phantoms in Games 1 and 2, the P-Bruins had had plenty of opportunities. The Phantoms, it seemed, benefitted from some fortunate bounces.

For much of last night's game, it was much of the same for Providence until lightning struck with 5:52 remaining in the first overtime period.

In the midst of a scramble in front of the Phantoms' net, the P-Bruins' Brad Boyes poked in the game-winning goal as Providence skated away with Game 3 of the series, 2-1.

Providence now trails the best-of-seven series, 2-1, with Game 4 here tomorrow night.

After Boyes scored the winning tally, bedlam unfolded on the ice. Lying on his back in celebration, Boyes took a punch to the face as both teams emptied onto the ice. Fans littered the ice with debris as separate donnybrooks broke out, including Boyes and the Phantoms' Mike Richards.

With blood dripping from the back of his head and sweat pouring from his brow, Boyes was showered with congratulations from his teammates in the locker room while U2's "It's a beautiful day" blared in the background.

For the first time in this series, the P-Bruins, got the bounces they needed.

"It was one of those things when you ask 'When is it going to happen?'" said Providence coach Scott Gordon. "We had so many great chances and (Philly goalie) Antero Nittymaki came up with big saves. When is it going to go in? Finally (Keith) Aucoin scores (to tie the game at 1-1). We had so many great quality chances and it was very encouraging to see. It was good to see the guys respond after the two losses."

Boyes didn't know how the puck got to the front of the net prior to his seventh goal of the postseason. The P-Bruins were crashing the net when defenseman Andrew Alberts put a shot on net. Andy Hilbert got a piece of it before the puck appeared through a pile of bodies and Boyes poked it in.

"We've played well," he said, "and their goalie has played really well. He was making the big saves and Aucoin finally broke the ice on him and came up with a big goal. I was lucky to put the winner in. We've been working hard all series and it feels good that it finally paid off."

Philadelphia struck first during a 4-on-4 situation at 8:10 of the first period. The Phantoms' Joni Pitkanen collected a loose puck in front of Hannu Toivonen (36 saves) and beat the Providence goalie with a backhander to the top right corner for a 1-0 lead.

Providence had its chances in the period, especially in the last minute. Aucoin had a golden opportunity but hit the post in the closing seconds of a power play. If that wasn't bad enough, Pat Leahy intercepted a break-out pass with eight seconds remaining and went in alone Nittymaki, who came out of his crease and turned back the bid.

The P-Bruins had a five-minute man-advantage at the end of the period but managed to get off only one shot.

After a scoreless second period, Providence knotted the game at 1-1 at 13:06 of the third. P-Bruins defenseman Milan Jurcina controlled the puck on the break and hit a streaking Aucoin with a tape-to-tape, cross-ice pass. Aucoin broke in with a defender draped all over him but still beat Nittymaki.

Fate was finally on the P-Bruins' side and the club responded in overtime.

"Guys stepped up," said Hilbert, who assisted on the game-winner. "We got a huge goal in the third period and we never quit. It's a whole new series now. We're at home for the next two games and [tomorrow] is the biggest game of the series. We just need to keep going from here."

Philadelphia 1 0 0 0 -- 1

Providence 0 0 1 1 -- 2

First Period -- 1, Phi, Pitkanen 3 (Carter, Meyer), 8:10. Penalties -- Dallman, Pro, :54; Gratton, Phi, 3:24; Leach, Pro, 5:51; Eager, Phi, 5:51; Henderson, Pro, 7:27; Skolney, Phi, 7:27; Pro, bench minor, 10:10; Eager, Phi, 16:48; Meyer, Phi, 18:18; Gove, Pro, 18:18; Richards, Phi, 20:00.

Second Period -- No scoring. Penalties -- Orr, Pro (fighting), 8:34; Fedoruk, Phi, 8:34; Henderson, Pro, 12:27; Skolney, Phi, 12:17; Jurcina, Pro, 15:23; Bergeron, Pro, 19:23.

Third Period -- 2, Pro, Aucoin 4 (Jurcina), 13:06. Penalties -- Carter, Phi, 5:33; Umberger, Phi, 7:36; Alberts, Pro, 7:36; Leahy, Pro, 13:46; Sharp, Phi, 15:25.

Overtime -- 3, Pro Boyes 7 (Hilbert, Aucoin), 14:08. Penalties -- Phi, bench minor, 12:03.

Shots -- Phi 13-5-12-7 -- 37, Pro 9-4-17-8 -- 38. Goalies -- Phi, Nitttymaki (38 shots, 36 saves); Pro, Toivonen (37-36). Power Play Opportunities -- Phi 0 of 6, Pro 0 of 6. A -- 5,256.