Toivonen Shutout Leads Bruins Past Monarchs
Published on February 11, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH â Goaltender Hannu Toivonen finished with 32 saves and his third straight shutout as the Providence Bruins snapped the Manchester Monarchs six-game unbeaten in regulation streak with a 3-0 win before 8,583 fans at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Friday night. Despite the loss, the Monarchs (35-10-3-3, 76 points) stayed nine points ahead of the second place Hartford Wolf Pack (32-16-1-2, 67 points) in the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division. The Wolf Pack did not play on Friday night.
With the win, the Bruins (25-18-3-6, 59 points) remained in the hunt for the fourth and final playoff spot in the division. The Bruins entered Friday's action two points behind the fourth place Worcester IceCats.
Toivonen collected his league-leading seventh shutout of the season with 10 saves in the first period, 13 saves in the second period and nine saves in the third period. Meanwhile, center Patrice Bergeron, left wing Andy Hilbert and center Keith Aucoin provided goal support for the Bruins, who improved to 4-1-1-0 in their last six games and beat the Monarchs for the first time in five outings this season.
Bergeron collected the game-winner at 17:56 of the first period with his 16th goal of the season. Hilbert added to the lead with his team-leading 27th goal, scored on the power play 6:04 into the second period. Aucoin closed the scoring with his 15th goal, scored exactly 10 minutes later against Monarchs netminder Adam Hauser (12-5-0), who finished with 22 saves and his fifth loss.
The Monarchs had their chances to end Toivonen's impressive shutout streak, but they were unable to find the back of the Providence net despite seven power play chances. Toivonen improved his record to 20-14-3 on the season with the win.
The shutout loss was just the second one the Monarchs have suffered this season. They last were shut out by the Philadelphia Phantoms, 1-0, on December 17, 2004.
After taking a break for the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, set for February 13-14 at the Verizon Wireless Arena, the Monarchs return to regular season action and face the Lowell Lock Monsters on Friday, February 18 at 7:35 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Ticket Availability: 60 seats in the Gold Level and 900 seats in the Silver level remain for Friday's game against the Lock Monsters.
Fans in need of Monarchs tickets may purchase them in person at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office, at any TicketMaster location, by phone at (603) 868-7300 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. The box office opens at 10:00 a.m.
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; WTSL-AM 1400, Lebanon) and at www.monarchshockey.com.
American Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2005
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- Grizzlies claw Griffins, 5-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Dogs down Runners in a wild one - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Sound Tigers Beat Binghamton 2-1 In Shootout - Bridgeport Islanders
- Toivonen sets franchise mark in win - Providence Bruins
- Toivonen Shutout Leads Bruins Past Monarchs - Manchester Monarchs
- Ducks fall to Crunch, 6-1 - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Moose prevail in shootout over Leafs - Manitoba Moose
- Phantoms lose 1-0 to Lowell - Adirondack Phantoms
- Hershey wins for the second time in three games - Hershey Bears
- Amerks Hall of Fame Night moved to March 18th - Rochester Americans
- Griffins sign Fury's Bouchard - Grand Rapids Griffins
- AHL All-Star Classic TV information - AHL
- Aeros to hold book drive next weekend - Houston Aeros
- Rampage Game Day Preview - San Antonio Rampage
- Hershey travels to Wilkes-Barre to face Penguins - Hershey Bears
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
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