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Providence Bruins

P-Bruins Clinch Playoff Spot With 4-3 Overtime Victory Against Monarchs

March 14, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


Manchester, NH - The Providence Bruins became the first team to qualify for the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs after defeating the Manchester Monarchs 4-3 Friday evening in overtime at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The P-Bruins got their goals from Matt Hendricks, Chris Collins, Jeff Hoggan and Nate Thompson. The 45-15-3-2 Atlantic Division leading P-Bruins are back in action Saturday for a Family Game versus the San Antonio Rampage at the Dunkin' Donuts Center at 7:05 p.m. Providence moves nine points ahead of the second place Hartford Wolf Pack and Portland Pirates.

In the opening period, the Monarchs took a 1-0 lead, while on the power play at the 11:57 mark. Matt Moulson tallied his 23rd goal of the season, while Teddy Purcell and Jonathan Quick recorded the assists. Manchester extended its lead to 2-0 while on their second power play at the 14:14 mark. Purcell netted his 18th goal of the season with Troy Milam and Gabe Gauthier picking up the assists. The Monarchs took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second period, the P-Bruins pulled within a goal, while shorthanded at the 5:26 mark. Hendricks stole the puck at his own blue line and skated it down the right side of the ice. Hendricks waited for Quick to make his move and he committed to the right post. Hendricks skated to the left side of the net and snuck the puck between the left post and Quick's skate for his 19th goal of the season. Less than a minute later the Monarchs retook their two goal advantage at the 6:17 mark. John Zeiler netted his fourth goal of the season with P.J. Atherton and Drew Bagnall getting the assists. Late in the second period, the P-Bruins scored twice to tie the game at three. At the 15:27 mark Pascal Pelletier picked up the puck in the neutral zone and passed it to Collins. He skated down the right wing and from the right face off circle banked the puck off the left post and into the net for his 17th goal of the season. At the 16:04 mark and on the power play Aaron Slattengren held the puck halfway up the right boards in the Monarchs zone. He passed it to Hendricks to the right side of the net. He sent the puck backdoor to Hoggan, who tallied his 26th goal of the season. The game went into the second intermission tied at three.

After a scoreless third period the game went into overtime. At the 4:09 mark, Thompson scored his 14th goal of the season with Hoggan and Sean Curry grabbing the assists.

Tuukka Rask stopped 33 of 36 shots for the P-Bruins, while Quick made 27 saves for the Monarchs. The P-Bruins were 1-for-5 on the power play and 5-for-7 on the penalty kill.

The Atlantic Division-leading P-Bruins return to the Dunkin' Donuts Center for Family Games Saturday, March 15 against the San Antonio Rampage at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday, March 16 versus the Lowell Devils at 4:05 p.m. Receive one ticket, hot dog and soda starting as low as $16. Information on P-Bruins individual tickets for the 2007-08 regular season can be obtained by calling the team ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or by logging onto the team website at providencebruins.com.

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