Bruins Hold Off Monarchs; Take 2-1 Series Lead
April 25, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
PROVIDENCE, RI â The Providence Bruins took a four-goal lead into the third period, and then held on for a 6-3 victory over the Manchester Monarchs in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Semifinals at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Monday night. A crowd of 4,715 watched as Bruins gained a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27 at 7:05 p.m. at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Trailing 5-1 through two periods, the Monarchs mounted a comeback with third period goals from left wing Dustin Brown (1-1=2) and right wing Brad Smyth (1-1=2). Brown scored his second goal of the playoffs while sliding through the slot 1:57 into the period, and Smyth slipped a power play goal past Bruins netminder Hannu Toivonen 4:54 later for his first goal of the playoffs. Right wing Tom Kostopoulos (0-2=2) and Smyth assisted on Brown's marker. Defenseman Joe Rullier and center David Hymovitz shared assists on Smyth's tally.
The Monarchs nearly made it a one-goal game when center Michael Cammalleri sent a no-look pass to Kostopoulos in front of the Briuns net, but Toivonen stacked the pads and made the save. Toivonen was tested again 40 seconds later with a left circle slap shot from left wing Noah Clarke, but again he made the save.
The Monarchs pulled netminder Adam Hauser (3 shots, 3 saves) with 3:12 remaining in the contest, but they were unable to get anything more past Toivonen, who finished with 27 saves. Hauser entered the game to start the third period. He replaced starter Mathieu Garon (30 shots, 25 saves), who finished with 25 saves through two periods and took the loss.
Bruins left wing Andy Hilbert (2-2=4) completed the scoring with an empty net goal in the final minute. The empty-netter capped a big night for Hilbert, who finished with two goals and two assists.
Hilbert, center Keith Aucoin (1-1=2) and defenseman Kevin Dallman (1-0=1) had power play goals for the Bruins, who finished the game 3-for-7 with the man-advantage. Like Brown, center David Steckel notched a power play goal for the Monarchs, who finished the game 2-for-6 on the power play.
For the third time in the series, the Bruins took control of the game early. Goals from left wings Pat Leahy, Martin Samuelsson and Hilbert made it 3-0 Bruins just 12 minutes into the contest.
Leahy swatted a rebound past Garon a split second after the Monarchs goalie stoned Bruins center Ben Guite on a breakaway backhander. Guite had the only assist on Leahy's second playoff tally, scored shorthanded at 5:06.
Samuelsson next beat Garon low to the glove side to give the Bruins a two-goal lead at 7:42. Left wing David Gove had the lone assist on Samuelsson's first goal of the playoffs. He fed Samuelsson tape-to-tape after stealing the puck out of the left corner.
The Bruins opened a 3-0 lead with Hilbert's first of two goals on the night. He took a cross-ice feed from Aucoin and then beat Garon with a quick wrist shot from the left circle at 11:59. Center Patrice Bergeron also assisted on the power play goal.
The Monarchs made it a 3-1 contest with Steckel's power play goal in the final minute of the period. Steckel lifted his first career playoff goal over Toivonen at 19:17. Defenseman Denis Grebeshkov and Kostopoulos shared assists on the play.
The Bruins led 5-1 through two periods thanks to a pair of power play goals in the middle stanza. Aucoin netted his first playoff goal when he beat Garon from 10 feet away at 5:47. Hilbert and Bergeron assisted. Dallman scored 6:57 later when his shot from the right circle deflected off a stick and fluttered over the right shoulder of Garon. Center Brad Boyes and Hilbert assisted on Dallman's second goal of the playoffs.
Monarchs playoff tickets are on sale now at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (603) 868-7300, or by visiting Ticketmaster on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Fans may also purchase tickets at all Ticketmaster locations, including Filenes at the Mall of New Hampshire.
Tickets are $18.50 for adults in the Gold level and $13.25 for adults in the Silver level of the Verizon Wireless Arena, $16.50 for seniors (65 and older) in the Gold level and $11.25 for seniors in the Silver level and $10.75 for youth tickets (12 and under) in both levels.
For group, birthday party and party suite pricing, contact the Monarchs at (603) 626-7825.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from April 25, 2005
- Moose head home with split - Manitoba Moose
- Hilbert, Bruins take series lead - Providence Bruins
- Gamache, Finley lead Admirals past Ducks to take 3-1 series lead - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Phantoms lose 3-1 in Game Three of division semifinals - Adirondack Phantoms
- Bruins Hold Off Monarchs; Take 2-1 Series Lead - Manchester Monarchs
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Phantoms Playoff Pep Rallies at Local Elementary Schools - Adirondack Phantoms
- Dogs Look to Rebound - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Falcons Front Office Available for Speaking Engagements - Springfield Falcons
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Monarchs report - Manchester Monarchs
- Game Five Tuesday is Aeros Happy Hour - Houston Aeros
- Wolf Pack Weekly - Connecticut Whale
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- MTS Centre hosts Calder Cup Playoffs tonight - Manitoba Moose
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
