PROVIDENCE -- The Providence Bruins defeated the Houston Aeros 3-1 Sunday afternoon at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
The P-Bruins got their goals from Mikko Lehtonen, Johnny Boychuk and Brock Hooton.
The P-Bruins took a 1-0 lead at the 4:53 mark of the opening period. Brad Marchand sent the puck into the corner for Martins Karsums. He found Lehtonen in front and Lehtonen netted his tenth goal of the season.
Providence went ahead 2-0 at the 13:15 mark, while on the power play. Lehtonen held the puck halfway up the left boards before sending it to Marchand in the corner. He found Boychuk in the right face off circle and Boychuk tallied his ninth goal of the season.
Houston scored at the 19:27 mark to cut the lead in half. Jesse Schultz scored his eighth goal of the season, while Marco Rosa and Tomas Mojzis recorded the assists. Providence went into the first intermission leading 2-1.
Providence scored the lone goal in the second period at the 18:52 mark. Jeremy Reich sent the puck out of the P-Bruins zone to Hooton in the neutral zone. He passed it to Wacey Rabbit who gave it right back too Hooton as he scored his first career AHL goal from the slot. Providence went into the second intermission with a 3-1 lead.
The third period was scoreless.
Tuukka Rask stopped 29 of 30 shots he faced for the P-Bruins, while Barry Brust made 23 saves for the Aeros. The P-Bruins were 1-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
The first place P-Bruins travel to the Verizon Wireless Arena Wednesday to take on the Manchester Monarchs at 7 p.m. before returning home to The Dunk Friday against the Sound Tigers at 7:05 p.m. for Zach Hamill Bobblehead Night. The P-Bruins are also home at The Dunk Sunday against the Lowell Devils at 4:05 p.m. for Vladimir Sobotka Poster Night.