WORCESTER, Mass – In the playoffs it is of the utmost importance your stars play like stars. A perfect example of this edict came to pass in Game 5 of the Atlantic Division finals series between the Manchester Monarchs and the Worcester Sharks.
Goaltender Jonathan Bernier, who led the AHL with nine shutouts during the regular season, stopped 30 shots to lead his club to a 1-0 win. The Manchester offense was provided by the club’s regular season leading-scorer Bud Holloway.
Game-winning goals are nothing new in the playoffs for Holloway as this goal was his sixth game-winner during this year’s playoff.
If Holloway can register one more such goal he will break the AHL record which he currently shares with Darren Haydar who set the standard while leading the Milwaukee Admirals to the Calder Cup Finals in 1996.
With the win the Monarchs put themselves in position to play in the Eastern Conference Finals if they can win one of their next two games against the Sharks. They will have their first chance to do so on Friday night when they host Worcester.
Worcester goaltender Alex Stalock did his part as he came up with 24 shots, but no one on his team could defeat Bernier.
Contact Tom.Schettino@prohockeynews.com
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