Monarchs oust P-Bruins, now face ex-coach in conference finals

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Don't expect the Manchester Monarchs to rest on their laurels even though they've advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.

Providence’s Petr Kalus holds back Manchester’s Kevin Westgarth as both chase the puck in the first period of the Monarchs’ 2-1 win over the Bruins to win their Atlantic Division final series, four games to two. (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL)

That was Marty Murray's opinion last night after Manchester beat the Providence Bruins, 2-1, in Game 6 of the Atlantic Division finals and captured the series 4-2.

"We have big expectations here," Murray said after assisting on both goals. "We're in the conference finals but it will be a big disappointment if we don't go on."

Manchester will go to Hershey for Games 1 and 2 of the finals on Saturday (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday (6 p.m.).

The next three games are scheduled for Verizon Wireless Arena on May 23, 26 and 27 (if necessary).

The Bears, of course, are coached by former Manchester mentor Bruce Boudreau.

"We're not anywhere near content to make it into the conference final," Murray said. "We feel like we have more things to accomplish. This is a part of the puzzle but I'm sure it will be a good series against Hershey. They finished first overall in the league."

Providence Bruins' Pascal Pelletier fails to squeeze by Manchester's John Zeiler and goalie Jason LaBarbera last night. The Monarchs won the game, 2-1, and triumphed in the best-of-seven series. They advance to the AHL Eastern Conference Final Saturday. (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL)

►Historic opportunity for Monarchs
►Monarchs rock Bruins, lead series 3-2
►Boudreau's Bears sitting, waiting for next foe
►Monarchs expect good crowd tonight
►Coach calls on Monarchs' vets to step up
►Monarchs down to a best of three
►Monarchs even series
►Monarchs will start LaBarbera in key game tonight

Even though Manchester outshot Providence, 12-10, in the first period and was awarded two power plays, the best the Monarchs could do was go into intermission tied 1-1 -- due in part to goalie Hannu Toivonen and bad luck.

The teams were skating 4-on-4 when Ryan Murphy broke into Providence's zone on a clean breakaway but Toivonen swatted away a snap shot with his glove hand. Then, with Manchester on a power play, Peter Harrold drilled a slap shot off the left post.

Manchester needed a mere six seconds to grab a 1-0 lead after Providence's Dwayne Zinger was sent to the box for tripping at 7:23. Murray won a draw in Providence's end to Oleg Tverdosky, who passed to Brian Boyle in the slot and Boyle beat Toivonen with a wrist shot for his third goal of the playoffs.

Manchester killed off a penalty only to have Providence tie it at 10:20 on a well-executed 2-on-1 rush by David Krejci and Jeff Hoggan.

Krejci and Hoggan broke in on Peter Kanko and Krejci passed to Hoggan in the left circle. Hoggan's shot deflected off Kanko's stick and beat Jason LaBarbera 5-hole.

Manchester carried the play in the second period right from the face-off and came within an eyelash of taking a 3-1 lead when Murray's wrist shot clanged off the right post. But Murray gained a large measure of satisfaction when he set up a Tim Jackman goal that did give the Monarchs a 3-1 lead.

Murray was positioned behind Providence's cage when he threw the puck in front to Jackman, who rammed a one-timer past Toivonen at 6:09.

Manchester then came this close to taking a commanding 4-1 lead into the second intermission when Boyle found an opening directly in front of the crease and snapped off a shot only to be robbed by Toivonen.

"They're a good team -- they gave us everything we could handle," Murray said. "But we were able to get some timely goals and were able to hang on at the end."

Good point, considering Doug Nolan was whistled for goaltender interference with 1:49 left in regulation and coach Scott Gordon pulled Toivonen which gave the P-Bruins a 6-on-4 advantage. Even through they swarmed around LaBarbera, they were unable to score the equalizer and force overtime.

"We tried to get in the shooting lanes and take away their time and space," Murray said. "But 6-on-4 isn't easy and the guys got the job done."

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SLAP SHOTS: Murray's two assists increased his totals for the series to four goals and five assists and his rating to a plus-8. ... The Monarchs are now 2-3 all-time in Game 6. ... Krejci leads all AHL rookies with 16 postseason points on three goals and 13 assists. ... Providence defenseman Mark Stuart (knee) was an injury scratch for the seventh time in the last eight games. ... Fellow blue liner Matt Lashoff (lower body injury) missed his 12th consecutive game.