Fitzgerald wins it for P-Bruins

PROVIDENCE — The red-hot Providence Bruins found yet another way to win on Sunday afternoon.

After squandering a two-goal lead and being forced to extra time, Ryan Fitzgerald came through with the only goal of the shootout and the P-Bruins skated away with a 3-2 triumph over the Hershey Bears in front of 9,080 fans at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

It was Providence’s 11th straight win, tying the franchise record set by the 1998-99 P-Bruins squad that would [...]

PROVIDENCE — The red-hot Providence Bruins found yet another way to win on Sunday afternoon.

After squandering a two-goal lead and being forced to extra time, Ryan Fitzgerald came through with the only goal of the shootout and the P-Bruins skated away with a 3-2 triumph over the Hershey Bears in front of 9,080 fans at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

It was Providence’s 11th straight win, tying the franchise record set by the 1998-99 P-Bruins squad that would go on to win the Calder Cup.

Dan Vladar was the other hero of the day, stopping 35 shots in regulation and overtime and all three shootout attempts by the Bears.

Vladar now leads the AHL in both save percentage (.935) and goals against average (1.83).

"We bent and we almost broke," said P-Bruins coach Jay Leach, "but we obviously were able to sneak one out in the shootout. Sometimes this game is just like that. We’re riding it right now and we’ll take it."

Zack Senyshyn, who scored twice in Providence’s 4-2 victory over Springfield on Saturday night, gave the P-Bruins a lead with his seventh of the season at 9:28 of the opening period.

Jakub Lauko made it 2-0 at 5:33 of the middle period.

But the Bears roared back in the third period with a goal by Philippe Maillet, his 17th of the season with 1:43 left. Matt Moulson then tied it with his 22nd of the year with three seconds left.

The P-Bruins got the only shot on goal in the five-minute overtime, and the game went to a shootout.

Hershey;0;0;2;0;—;2

Providence;1;1;0;0;—;3

First period — 1, Pro, Senyshyn 7 (Didier, Zboril), 9:28. Penalties —Lewington Her (holding), 5:22.

Second period — 2, Pro, Lauko 5 (Hughes, Studnicka), 5:33. Penalties — O'Brien Her (interference), 14:09; Williams Her (high-sticking), 14:09; Pilon Her (elbowing), 18:11.

Third period — 3, Her, Maillet 17 (Sgarbossa, Pinho), 18:17. 4, Her, Moulson 22 (Sprong, Sgarbossa), 19:57. Penalties — Cehlarik Pro (holding the stick), 1:42; Pinho Her (slashing), 8:45; Fehervary Her (hooking), 10:35.

Overtime — No scoring. Penalties — none.

Shootout — Hershey 0 (Maillet NG, Sprong NG, Sgarbossa NG);, Providence 1 (Fitzgerald G, Cehlarik NG, Studnicka NG).

Shots on goal — Her 7-9-13-8-0 — 37; Pro 5-11-8-1-1 — 26. Power plays — Her 0-for-1; Pro 0-for-6. Goalies — Hershey, Copley 17-8-6 (25 shots-23 saves); Pro, Vladar 13-7-1 (37 shots-35 saves).

A — 9,080.

Referees — Troy Paterson (29), Brandon Schrader (46). Linesmen — Chris Millea (33), Jack Millea (23).