PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence scored three goals in the first period and held on for a 3-2 win Saturday night over Maine to take the best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal series.
Scott Conway and Brandon Duhaime scored in the first 8:20 to put third-seeded Providence (22-10-4) ahead 2-0, and Brian Pinho made it 3-0 with 1:08 left in the period.
Sixth-seeded Maine (18-16-4), which was trying to force a third game on Sunday, got a goal from Eduards Tralmaks 1:08 into the second period. Just 45 seconds later, Nolan Vesey cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Black Bears nearly tied it late in the second period, but a shot by Brendan Robbins went off the post.
Jeremy Swayman made 38 saves for Maine, while Hayden Hawkey stopped 14 shots for Providence.
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