Monarchs Clinch Series with 5-3 Win
May 2, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - Michael Mersch posted three points (2 goals, assist) to help the Monarchs to a 5-3 win over Portland on Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena. They will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton beginning on Wednesday.
It was Manchester's (3-2) first playoff series win since the 2010 Division Finals against Worcester.
"We didn't make things easy on ourselves," Head Coach Mike Stothers said. "Portland showed why they were in the playoffs. (Portland) should be proud of their team, and I am even more-so proud of ours."
The Monarchs outshot the Pirates (2-3) 38-27 and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Portland went 2-for-6 on the man advantage.
Mersch opened up the scoring just 1:42 into the game. He capitalized on a rebound at the crease to score his fourth goal of the playoffs and gave the Monarchs an early 1-0 lead.
Later in the first period, Ryan Horvat scored his first professional playoff goal. The tally came at 16:34 and doubled the Monarchs' lead to 2-0.
Manchester added another goal at 3:44 in the second period. Jordan Weal made it 3-0 on the Monarchs' only power-play goal of the night.
Henrik Samuelsson broke the shutout with his second goal of the playoffs. The power-play goal came at 12:33 in the second period to bring the score to 3-1.
The Pirates scored again at 16:13 in the second when Tyler Gaudet made it 3-2 with a power-play goal.
Brendan Shinnimin then scored the game-tying goal with just one second remaining in the second period, making it 3-3. The play was originally ruled no goal, but was overturned after a replay review.
Mersch scored his second of the game to take the lead back at 1:16 in the third period. His second goal of the game was put in the top corner.
Just 20 seconds later, Adrian Kempe scored the first goal of his professional career, giving the Monarchs a 5-3 lead at 1:36 in the third.
The Monarchs will move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face the Penguins. The series begins Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
American Hockey League Stories from May 2, 2015
- Pirates Rally, Come up Short in Game 5 Loss - Portland Pirates
- Griffins' 5-4 Win Forces Decisive Game 5 at Home on Sunday - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Monarchs Clinch Series with 5-3 Win - Manchester Monarchs
- Wolf Pack to Take on Hershey Bears in Second Round - Hartford Wolf Pack
- American Hockey League Announces Schedules for Eastern Conference Semifinals - AHL
- Bears Face Wolf Pack in Eastern Conference Semifinals - Hershey Bears
- Comets Advance to Conference Semifinals - Utica Comets
- Wolves Bow out in Utica - Chicago Wolves
- Rangers Recall Ryan Bourque from Hartford - Hartford Wolf Pack
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