Monarchs Shootout Victory Clinches Playoff Berth
March 24, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - The Manchester Monarchs clinched their fifth consecutive playoff berth with a 2-1 shootout victory against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Verizon Wireless Arena in front of 9,841 fans on Friday night.
Manchester (39-25-2-4, 84 points) is in third place in the Atlantic Division. Bridgeport (34-28-4-3, 75 points) is in fourth place in the East Division.
Right wing Lauri Tukonen skated down the right wing and fired the puck into the slot that right wing Alexandre Daigle one-timed past goaltender Wade Dubielewicz at 2:56 of the opening period to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead. Defenseman Richard Seeley also assisted on Daigle's third goal of the season.
The Sound Tigers answered back with left wing Steve Regier's 14th goal of the season at 14:53 of the second period. Reiger skated a pass from defenseman Ryan Caldwell deep into the Monarchs zone. Carrying the puck behind the net, Reiger tossed it out front and the puck deflected off of Monarchs center Greg Hogeboom and past goaltender Adam Hauser. Forward Mike Omicioli assisted on the goal to bring the game to 1-1.
After a scoreless third period, Hauser stopped six of seven shooters in the shootout. Left wing Matt Koalska was the only Sound Tiger to beat Hauser in a one-on-one battle. Monarchs left wing Noah Clarke rifled two goals past Dubielewicz on his blocker side for the win.
Hauser (20-13-2) earned his eighth shootout win of the season with 29 saves in regulation and overtime. Dubielewicz (16-16-2) took the loss with 32 saves.
Manchester went 0-for-3 on the power play. Bridgeport was 1-for-5 with the man advantage.
The Monarchs will host the Providence Bruins at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network (WGIR-AM 610, Manchester; WGIN-AM 930, Rochester; WGIP-AM 1540, Exeter) and at www.monarchshockey.com. Watch the game live on B2 Networks for just $6 per game. Log onto www.monarchshockey.com and click on the link to B2 Networks ten minutes prior to the each Monarchs game to watch the game live!
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