MANCHESTER, N.H. — The Manchester Monarchs supported the solid play of goalie Jonathan Bernier by scoring four goals during the second period to finish a sweep of the Portland Pirates in an AHL Atlantic Division semifinal series with a 7-2 win at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Tuesday night.

Bernier, in his third professional season after spending four seasons playing junior hockey for the Lewiston Maineiacs, stopped 44 of 46 shots as the Monarchs advanced to play the winner of the Lowell-Worcester series in the division final.

After a scoreless first period, the Monarchs took 4-0 lead during the first 16 minutes of the second period. Trevor Lewis scored two goals during the first 12 minutes. Bud Holloway and Kevin Westgarth also added goals.

With 1:13 left in the second period, Nathan Gerbe scored his only goal of the playoffs while the Pirates skated with a two-man advantage.

Mark Mancari jammed the puck past Bernier 12:10 into the third period, but Moller poked in a rebound with 3:08 left to make it 5-2.

With 2:56 left, Manchester defenseman Andrew Campbell put a shot into open net from the defensive zone for a 6-2 lead.

With 1:07 left, defenseman Joe Piskula sent a rebound to complete the scoring.

 


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