AHL Providence Bruins

Boyes, Aucoin leading Bruins' charge

Published on March 14, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


The Providence Bruins begin the week in fifth place in the tightly-contested Atlantic Division standings with their 31-25-3-7 record (72 points). The Black and Gold is just four points behind the fourth place Worcester IceCats for the division's final playoff spot. Head coach Scott Gordon's club had pivotal contributions over the last month from the special teams units. The power play unit, which accounted for five goals over the weekend, is tied for the league lead at 20.5% (64/312). The Bruins have the league's top unit on home ice, connecting at a 26.0% success rate (39/150). Bruin penalty killers, meanwhile, are 76/85 over the last 18 games (89.4%), a stretch that dates back to February 4.

Bruin forwards Brad Boyes and Keith Aucoin have continued to produce at a torrid pace. Boyes, who ranks second on the team and fifth in the AHL with 29-37-66 totals in 66 games, has points in 17 of his last 21 games. The 22-year-old native of Mississauga, Ontario has 13-10-23 totals over that span. Boyes leads the league with 17 power play goals, a figure that equals former Bruin Lee Goren's single-season franchise record from 2002-03, and ranks second with nine game-winning goals.

Aucoin has points (10-20-30) in 19 of his last 22 games, and ranks third on the club and 14th in the league with 19-40-59 totals in 58 games. Now in his second tour of duty with the Bruins, the 26-year-old native of Chelmsford, Massachusetts ranks 10th in franchise history with 89 assists in 137 games. Aucoin was the Bruins' leading scorer in 2002-03, when he posted 25-49-74 totals in 78 games. He has 44-89-133 totals as a Bruin, ranking him 12th in team history.

The Bruins play two games this week, both key home games against division rivals. The action begins on Friday, March 18 at 7:05 p.m., when they face off with the Lowell Lock Monsters. The Bruins host the Manchester Monarchs on Sunday, March 29 at 4:05 p.m.

The Bruins are proud to offer fans "McDonald's Family 4-Pack" nights this season. Fans will be able to purchase four tickets to the game, and will receive coupons good for four FREE McDonald's Extra Value Meals, for just $48. Additional game tickets can be ordered for only $12 each. Each additional game ticket includes a FREE McDonald's Extra Value Meal. Please note that "McDonald's Family 4-Packs" are not available on game nights or at the box office. "McDonald's Family 4-Packs" are available only by calling the Providence Bruins ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or by logging on to www.providencebruins.com. Extra Value Meal coupons can be redeemed at any participating McDonald's restaurant in Rhode Island.

There are still two more "McDonald's Family 4-Pack" nights upcoming, including this Friday:

Friday, March 18 Lowell Lock Monsters 7:05 p.m.

Friday, March 25 Worcester IceCats 7:05 p.m.

THIS WEEK
(ALL GAMES EST)

Friday, March 18 vs. Lowell, 7:05 PM, Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
WDDZ AM 550 www.providencebruins.com
The Bruins and Lock Monsters face off in the eighth game of the teams' 10-game season series...The Bruins are 4-1-0-2 against Lowell this season...The Lock Monsters won the last meeting, 3-2 in Lowell on March 4...The loss was the Bruins' first in regulation to Lowell since April 7, 2002...The Bruins had taken at least one point from Lowell in 26 straight games (19-0-3-4)...LW Andy Hilbert (7-4-11) and C Brad Boyes (5-6-11) lead the team in scoring against Lowell...Lowell RW Chuck Kobasew leads the team and ranks 10th in AHL scoring with 32-30-62 totals...Kobasew leads the AHL with 10 game-winning goals and with a +34 rating...C Eric Staal and LW Colin Forbes are tied for second at +32...Staal has 19-42-61 totals...Rookie G Cam Ward is 22-11-3, while leading the AHL with a .938 save percentage and ranking fourth with a 1.93 GAA...RW Chad Larose leads the team with 10 power play goals...The Lock Monsters have scored 14 shorthanded goals, the third-most in the AHL...Lowell is in third place in the Atlantic Division (36-20-1-5).

Sunday, March 20 vs. Manchester, 4:05 PM, Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
WDDZ AM 550 www.providencebruins.com
The Bruins and Monarchs meet in the eighth game of their 10-game season series...Manchester holds the 5-2-0-0 advantage...LW Dan LaCouture has 5-2-7 totals against the Monarchs, including his first career hat trick in Manchester on January 1...Manchester C Mike Cammalleri has 5-7-12 totals against the Bruins...Cammalleri leads the AHL with 40 goals and ranks second with 89 points...He also ranks second with 16 power play goals...G Adam Hauser ranks sixth in the league with a 1.95 GAA and is tied for third with a .931 save percentage...G Mathieu Garon ranks ninth with a 2.12 GAA...D Joe Rullier leads all AHL defensemen and ranks third in the league overall with 274 PIM...Rullier and Mike Weaver are tied for the lead among AHL blueliners with +26 ratings...RW Brad Smyth ranks 22nd in AHL history with 285 goals in 514 games...Smyth was the AHL's last 50-goal scorer, posting 50 goals with Hartford in 2000-01...Manchester is in first place in the Atlantic Division with its 41-17-3-3 record.

Providence Bruins Schedule:
Tuesday 3/15 10:30 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
Wednesday 3/16 10:30 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
Thursday 3/17 10:30 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
Friday 3/18 10:00 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center; Game vs. Lowell, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday 3/19 OFF
Sunday 3/20 10:00 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center; Game vs. Manchester, 4:05 p.m.
Monday 3/21 OFF

LAST WEEK
Date Opp. Score B's goal scorers (#, type) Goaltender (saves; record)
3/9 @ Bridgeport L, 3-2 Boyes (27); Bergeron (18; PPG) Madden (14; 3-3-0)
3/11 Portland SOL, 4-3 Hilbert (31, 32; 2 PPG); Dallman (7; PPG) Madden (11)/Underhill (33; 1-1-2)
3/12 @ Worcester L, 5-2 Boyes (28; PPG); Dallman (8; PPG) Underhill (28/ENG; 1-2-2)
3/13 Albany W, 3-2 Boyes (29; GWG); Bergeron (18); Aucoin (19) Madden (8; 4-3-0)/Underhill (4/6)

IN THE BOOKS
Records Leaders Goaltenders
Overall Record 31-25-3-7 Andy Hilbert 32-38-70 Hannu Toivonen, 2.03 GAA, 21-14-3, .931%
Home Record 21-7-2-2 Brad Boyes 29-37-66 Chris Madden, 2.02 GAA, 4-3-0, .926%
Road Record 10-18-1-5 Keith Aucoin 19-40-59 Matt Underhill, 2.54 GAA, 1-2-2, .901%
Overtime 0-3 Patrice Bergeron 18-35-53
Shootout 2-7 Kevin Dallman 8-23-31
Power Play 64-312, 20.5%, 1st David Gove 12-18-30
Penalty Killing 274-331, 82.8%, 19th Dan LaCouture 11-13-24

Slap Shots: LW Andy Hilbert is tied for second in the AHL in goals (32), ranks third in power play goals (15) and fourth in points (70)...Hilbert had two assists in Sunday's 3-2 win over Albany, making him the franchise career leader with 105...He is also the franchise career leader in goals (96) and points (201)...D Kevin Dallman scored power play goals on Friday and Saturday...C Patrice Bergeron has points (2-2-4) in three of his last four games...C Ben Guite played his 300th career AHL game on Sunday.

Bruins Radio & Media: All 80 Providence Bruins games will be broadcast on WDDZ AM-550 and on the team website, www.providencebruins.com. Corey Masse brings you the action for home games, while Adam Alper calls the action on the road. Please contact Adam Alper for all interview requests.

Tuesday, March 15 WSKO AM-790, "Providence Bruins Weekly Presented by National City Mortgage"
Scott Gordon, Brad Boyes, Colton Orr, Joe McDonald

Thursday, March 17 WNAC Fox-64 Sports Wrap 10:45 p.m. Keith Aucoin

Bruins In the Community: Please contact Adam Alper for any player appearances.

Tickets: Information on individual game tickets and Providence Bruins season ticket packages can be obtained by calling the Bruins ticket office at (401) 273-5000 or by logging on to the team website, www.providencebruins.com.

Check out the Providence Bruins Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2005


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