NEW.BRUNSWICK (CBC) - Thousands of Boston Bruins fans were wearing a little bit of New Brunswick all over their faces on Sunday night.

The team, which is playing against the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL playoffs, handed out 10,000 promotional goalie masks at Sunday's game that were designed by a Saint John company.

Net Difference was hired by the Bruins to design the cardboard mask that featured a "beware" on the front along with the team's black and yellow colours and the Bruins logo.

The flat cardboard mask that is folded to fit to the face was designed in Saint John and produced in Buffalo.

The company contacted the Bruins to create the masks after designing a similar promotion for the Saint John Sea Dogs, said Anthony Bamford, managing director for Net Difference.

"This is an example of how local companies can perfect their craft here, and then take the next step to exporting," Bamford said. "We're pleased to work with our local Sea Dogs and are equally thrilled to be called up to the majors."

The masks used by the Sea Dogs seemed to energize the Saint John fans over the season, said Rick Bowness, director of marketing for the New Brunswick team that plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"The kids are obviously young and impressionable and when everyone goes nuts in the stands at Harbour Station ... it's an advantage," Bowness said.

It is the first season the Sea Dogs, established for the 2005-2006 season, have advanced to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs. The team beat out the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Sunday and will advance in the playoffs, meeting the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the semifinals.

Bamford said his company's employees were glued to their televisions on Sunday trying to get a glimpse of their work. The Bruins beat the Canadiens 2-1 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarter-final.

Net Difference hopes the Boston exposure will be good for the business, which specializes in marketing and communications, Bamford said.

"On further trips to Boston, if I go down and I'm sitting across the table from a company from Boston and I can let them know I'm doing work with the Boston Bruins - a very well recognized franchise, good brand - it provides some credibility to us," Bamford said.

Bamford added he is also hoping the design may lead to other projects for the team.

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