AHL Providence Bruins

Red-hot Bruins have big week ahead

April 4, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Providence Bruins News Release


The Providence Bruins begin the week in fourth place in the Atlantic Division standings with their 38-26-3-7 record (86 points), as they come off a week in which they swept all four games played, extending their season-high winning streak to six games. The streak is the team's longest since the 2002-03 season, when they had six-game winning streaks from December 8 through December 22, and January 12 through January 24. Head coach Scott Gordon's team also has a current four-game road winning streak, a season-high. The stellar stretch has moved the Bruins seven points ahead of the Worcester IceCats, in fourth place in the division. The Bruins are now just two points behind the third place Lowell Lock Monsters. The Bruins have reduced their magic number to eight to qualify for the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs. Any combination of Bruin points gained and Worcester points lost equaling eight will put Providence in the playoffs for the 11th time in the 13-year history of the franchise.

Bruin penalty killers continued their clutch play last week, killing off 16 of 19 shorthanded situations (84.2%). The Bruins' penalty killing unit has surged for the last two months, killing off 111 of the 124 shorthanded situations it has faced (89.5%). The span covers 26 games, dating back to February 4. The Bruin power play ranks second in the AHL (19.5%), and is the league's best on home ice, clicking at a 23.6% success rate.

Providence goaltender Hannu Toivonen and left wing Andy Hilbert played pivotal roles in last week's success. Toivonen, who won all four starts last week, has now won six in a row, and is 6-1-0 since returning on March 20 from a 13-game absence due to a knee injury. The 20-year-old native of Kalvola, Finland has a 1.69 GAA and .949 save percentage over the last six games. Toivonen is 27-15-3 on the year, posting the team's most wins in a season since John Grahame had 37 in 1998-99. Toivonen's win total is also the second-most in a season in franchise history. Toivonen ranks third in the AHL with a 1.97 GAA, while being tied for third in save percentage (.934) and shutouts (7).

Hilbert had points (5-1-4) in three of last week's four games. Among his goals were the game-winning goals in Wednesday's 5-4 victory at Worcester and Sunday's 3-2 win over Manchester. Sunday's game-winning goal was the 13th of his career, tying the franchise career record. He shares the mark with former Bruins Sergei Zholtok, Eric Nickulas, Eric Manlow and Ivan Huml. Hilbert has already set franchise career records this season in goals (101), assists (108), points (209) and power play goals (37). The 24-year-old native of Howell, Michigan is tied for second in the AHL in goals (37) and ranks sixth in points (78), while being tied for fourth in power play goals (16). His 37 goals are the most in a season by a Bruin since 1992-93, when Tim Sweeney had 41 and Jim Vesey had 38. His 78 points are the most in a season since Randy Robitaille posted 102 in 1998-99.

The Bruins play three pivotal games this week, beginning with a key showdown with Lowell on Friday, April 8 at 7:05 p.m. They begin a home-and-home series with the Hartford Wolf Pack in Connecticut on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., before the teams return to Providence on Sunday, April 10 at 4:05 p.m.

Both home games this weekend will be "McDonald's Family 4-Pack" nights, with fans being able to purchase four tickets and four McDonald's Extra Value Meals, all for just $48. "McDonald's Family 4-Packs" can only be purchased by calling the Bruins at (401) 273-5000, or by logging on to the team website, www.providencebruins.com. Please note that "McDonald's Family 4-Packs" are not sold on game days.

Following Sunday's game, the Bruins will host their final Post-Game Autograph Session of the season. Bruin forwards Andy Hilbert, Patrice Bergeron and Ben Guite, and defenseman Jay Leach will be available for autographs and photographs after the game. The autograph session is free of charge.

THIS WEEK
(ALL GAMES EST)

Friday, April 8 vs. Lowell, 7:05 PM, Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
WDDZ AM 550 www.providencebruins.com
The Bruins and Lock Monsters conclude their 10-game season series...The Bruins are 6-1-0-2 against the Lock Monsters this season, including a 3-1 win in Lowell on Saturday...The Bruins are 34-18-7 all-time against Lowell...The Bruins have not lost to Lowell on home ice since March 27, 2001, a 3-0 decision...Since then, the Bruins are 13-0-1-0 on home ice against the Lock Monsters...Bruin C Brad Boyes has 5-8-13 totals in nine games this season against Lowell, while LW Andy Hilbert has 8-4-12 totals in nine games...G Hannu Toivonen is 4-0-0 against Lowell with a 1.50 GAA and a .957 save percentage...Lowell RW Chuck Kobasew has 4-4-8 totals in nine games against the Bruins...Kobasew is tied for second in the AHL in goals (37) and tied for 11th in points (71)...C Eric Staal is tied for ninth in AHL scoring with 24-48-72 totals...Staal is tied for the league lead with six shorthanded goals, while Kobasew leads the league with 11 game-winning goals...Kobasew also leads the league with a +35 rating, while Staal ranks second (+34) and LW Colin Forbes (+30) ranks third...Rookie of the Year candidate Cam Ward is 24-16-3, while ranking seventh in the league with a 2.04 GAA and ranking second with a .935 save percentage...Lowell is in second place in the Atlantic Division with its 41-25-1-5 record.

Saturday, April 9 @ Hartford, 7:05 PM, Hartford Civic Center
Sunday, April 10 vs. Hartford, 4:05 PM, Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
WDDZ AM 550 www.providencebruins.com T.V.: COX Sports Television (Sunday)
The Bruins and Wolf Pack wrap up their 10-game season series...The Bruins are 4-2-0-2 against Hartford this season, including a 3-0-0-1 mark on home ice...The teams last met on February 4, a 3-0 Bruin victory in Providence...Bruin LW Andy Hilbert has 5-5-10 totals in eight games against Hartford...G Hannu Toivonen is 4-2-2 with a 1.92 GAA and .937 save percentage in eight games against the Wolf Pack...Hartford C Dominic Moore has 3-4-7 totals in eight games against the Bruins...LW Alexandre Giroux (29-19-48) and RW Jeff Hamilton (23-25-48) lead the team in scoring...G Steve Valiquette is 18-10-1 while leading the league with a 1.72 GAA and .936 save percentage...G Jason LaBarbera is 28-14-2 while ranking second in the AHL with a 1.82 GAA, and is tied for third with a .934 save percentage...The Wolf Pack ranks second in the AHL on the penalty kill (89.4%)...Hartford, which has clinched a playoff berth, is in second place in the Atlantic Division with its 46-21-3-3 record.


Providence Bruins Schedule:
Tuesday 4/5 10:30 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
Wednesday 4/6 10:30 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
Thursday 4/7 10:30 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence
Friday 4/8 10:00 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center; Game vs. Lowell, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday 4/9 10:00 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center; Game @ Hartford, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday 4/10 10:00 AM – Dunkin' Donuts Center; Game vs. Hartford, 4:05 p.m.
Monday 4/11 OFF


LAST WEEK
Date Opp. Score B's goal scorers (#, type) Goaltender (saves; record)
3/30 @ Worcester W, 5-4 Hilbert (34,35; PPG; SHG; GWG); Henderson (7); Toivonen (33; 24-15-3)
Boyes (30,31; PPG)
4/1 @ Manchester SOW, 3-2 Boyes (32; PPG); Guite (7); Hilbert, Bergeron (SOGs) Toivonen (43; 25-15-3)
4/2 @ Lowell W, 3-1 Henderson (8; GWG); Kurka (5); Hilbert (36; ENG) Toivonen (38; 26-15-3)
4/3 Manchester W, 3-2 Hilbert (37; GWG); Guite (8); Kurka (6) Toivonen (30; 27-15-3)








IN THE BOOKS
Records Leaders Goaltenders
Overall Record 38-26-3-7 Andy Hilbert 37-41-78 Hannu Toivonen, 1.97 GAA, 27-15-3, .934%
Home Record 24-8-2-2 Brad Boyes 32-41-73 Chris Madden, 1.76 GAA, 5-3-0, .938%
Road Record 14-18-1-5 Keith Aucoin 20-42-62
Overtime 0-3 Patrice Bergeron 20-39-59
Shootout 4-7 Kevin Dallman 8-25-33
Power Play 68-349, 19.5%, 2nd David Gove 12-18-30
Penalty Killing 309-370, 83.5%, t-17th Dan LaCouture 11-14-25


Slap Shots: C Brad Boyes has points (3-4-7) in four straight games, and has established new career-highs in goals (32), points (73) and power play goals (19), while tying his career-high for assists (41)...He ranks eighth in AHL scoring and is tied for the league lead in power play goals, setting a new single-season franchise record for goals scored on the man-advantage...LW Jay Henderson has points (3-2-5) in four of his last five games...C Ben Guite has points (2-1-3) in three straight games...D Kevin Dallman played in his 200th career AHL/P-Bruins game on Saturday...C Keith Aucoin had an assist on the game-winning goal on Sunday, his 200th career AHL point...Aucoin has 69-131-200 totals in 255 career AHL games with Providence, Cincinnati and Lowell...Boyes and LW Andy Hilbert are the only Bruins to play in all 74 games this season...RW Colton Orr (274), C/RW Brendan Walsh (266), D Brent Thompson (238) and Henderson (200) give the Bruins four players with 200 or more PIM.

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.

Thursday, April 7 WNAC Fox-64 Sports Wrap 10:45 p.m. Jay Henderson

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

Tuesday, April 5 Christopher Rhodes School; Warwick, RI 1:00 p.m. Pat Leahy

Tuesday, April 5 Boys & Girls Club; Warwick (Norwood), RI 3:30 p.m. Martin Samuelsson, Kevin Dallman

Wednesday, April 6 Eldredge Elementary; East Greenwich, RI 1:15 p.m. Adam Alper, Jayme Filipowicz

Wednesday, April 6 LaSalle Academy; Providence, RI 1:30 p.m. Brad Boyes, Colton Orr

Thursday, April 7 Robertson School; Warwick, RI 12:30 p.m. David Gove

Thursday, April 7 Drumrock School; Warwick, RI 1:00 p.m. Ben Guite

Sunday, April 10 Post-Game Autograph Session Andy Hilbert, Ben Guite, Patrice Bergeron, Jay Leach


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



American Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2005


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