Saturday, December 22, 2007

Devils Solve Bruins With 3-1 Victory
Frank Doyle makes 38 saves in the win

LOWELL, Mass. - The Lowell Devils went 3-for-6 on the power play and got 38 saves from goaltender Frank Doyle to defeat the Providence Bruins, 3-1, on Saturday at Tsongas Arena. The win - Lowell's first of the season against Providence - not only helped the Devils enter the holiday break on the right foot, but also ended an eight game winless streak.

In a game that saw the man-advantage produce all of the scoring, the first period ended in a scoreless tie.  For the third consecutive game, it was the Devils scoring first. This time, it was with the aid of a 5-on-4 advantage.  Patrick Davis intercepted an outlet pass along the boards and stickhandled past a defender into the slot, where he uncorked a wrist shot over Tuukka Rask’s shoulder and into the top corner of the net.   The unassisted goal was Davis’ fourth of the season.    

Providence got onto the board at 6:51, tying it at 1-1 just before time had expired on their first power play of the game.  Alone on the far post, Pascal Pelletier received a pass from David Krejci and knocked it over the glove of Doyle. 

The Devils would take the lead for good at 13:38 of period on a power play tally.  Noah Clarke’s slapshot through the legs of a Bruins defenseman was saved by Rask, but Stephen Gionta sprinted to the puck to shoot in the rebound. 

Doyle made 17 saves in the final frame and Lowell killed off back-to-back power plays to stave off Providence.  With one second left, Petr Vrana sealed the win on a two-man advantage as he deked around Rask caught trying to head to the bench for the extra attacker. 

When the Worcester Sharks come into town on Thursday, December 27 at 7:05 p.m., the Devils will be giving away a complimentary limousine ride and tickets to a Boston Bruins home game to one lucky fan.   Lowell begins a three-game road trip on Saturday, December 29 against the Springfield Falcons at 7:00 p.m.  Listen to all of the action live on 980AM-WCAP as Ryan Johnston brings you all of the play-by-play.  Call the Devils office at (978) 458-PUCK for more information or visit www.lowelldevilshockey.com.

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