Portland, Maine - The Providence Bruins claimed a 5-1 win over the Portland Pirates on Sunday afternoon in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Semifinal at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The Bruins lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Thursday in Portland at 7:00 p.m.

The Bruins opened the scoring late in the first period at the 13:58 mark when Martin St. Pierre sizzled a wrist shot from the top of the right wing circle. The shot whistled past the glove of Pirates goalie Jhonas Enroth and inside the far post to provide the Bruins with a 1-0 lead.

In the middle period, Providence pulled away from the Pirates with three goals to take a 4-0 lead.

The barrage by the Bruins started just 59 seconds into the second period when Brad Marchand slammed home a one-timer past Enroth.

The Bruins added to their lead with a shorthanded goal at the 3:16 mark on Vladimir Sobotka's 2nd goal of the postseason. Defenseman Johnny Boychuk created the goal with a blast from the blueline that redirected back to the high slot where Sobotka slammed the puck past Enroth.

At the 7:33 mark, Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk tallied his first goal of the postseason with a dart from the top of the circles. The puck beat Enroth to his glove side to put Providence in front 4-0. Following the goal, Kellen Briggs replaced Enroth.

In the final frame, Boychuk buried another blast from the high slot past Briggs to extend the Bruins lead to 5-0.

The Pirates ruined the shutout bid by Tuukka Rask, when Derek Whitmore roofed a wrist shot off the left shoulder of Rask and into the cage. The 1st goal of the postseason for Derek Whitmore was assisted by Kenny MacAulay.

Providence fended off the Pirates the rest of the third period and picked up the 5-1 win.

Portland's Jhonas Enroth and Kellen Briggs combined for 39 saves in the loss. Providence’s Tuukka Rask made 25 saves in the win.

Allied Home Mortgage Three Stars of the Game: 1. Vladimir Sobotka (PRO) 2. Johnny Boychuk (PRO) 3. Tuukka Rask (PRO)

Notes: The Pirates are now 15-7 in Game 3 of a playoff series...The 44 shots on goal by the Bruins was the most shots the Pirates have allowed during the 2009 postseason...The Pirates are 0/13 on the power play during the postseason...Attendance: 3,642.

Pirates Playoff Hockey - Powered by Time Warner Cable continues on Thursday, April 23rd as the Pirates host the Providence Bruins for Game 4 of the Atlantic Division Semifinal. Face off is set for 7:00 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets by calling the Pirates' offices at (207) 828-4665 ext. 350. Fans can listen to Portland Pirates playoff broadcasts exclusively at ahllive.com and over the phone courtesy of TEAMLINE. For details, visit portlandpirates.com.