Teddy Purcell scored twice and LA Kings rookie goaltender Jonathan Bernier made an inspiring debut in the AHL as the Monarchs chewed up the Worcester Sharks, 4-1 in front of the first capacity crowd of the season -- 9,932 -- in Verizon Wireless Arena.
All that got past the 19-year-old Bernier, the Kings' first pick (11th overall) in 2006, was a wide-open short-handed goal in the second period. Bernier made 27 stops in his second career pro victory. He beat Anaheim in the Kings' season opener in London, but three losses later was sent back to junior hockey in Lewiston, Maine.
"I'm better for sure," said Bernier. "The guys did a good job with rebounds in front of me and it's a win."
The Monarchs took another giant step closer to the playoffs -- an event they have never missed. Their magic number was reduced to two points to gain the fourth and final playoff position in the Atlantic Division. Manchester (37-30-5-4, 83 points) can clinch that spot today in a 4:05 p.m. game at Providence. The Monarchs need either a win or must force overtime for a point.
The fifth-place Springfield Falcons postponed elimination last night by winning at Binghamton. The Monarchs win all tie-breakers with Springfield, so the Falcons are in a must-win position today at Worcester. A loss there will hand the playoff spot to the Monarchs regardless of what happens in Providence.
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"We just have to focus on our game," said Morris, "and not worry about anyone else. We have bigger fish to fry."
Last night the Monarchs never trailed in their fourth consecutive victory, eighth in the past nine games. It was a choppy game with lots of turnovers and the Sharks pressured hard throughout.
"We might not have been the better team tonight, but we found a way to win," said Morris.
The Monarchs built a 3-0 lead on Purcell's pair and one from David Meckler on the man advantage before Worcester got on the board at 16:09 of the second period. Lukas Kaspar's short-handed one-timer in the slot spoiled Bernier's shutout bid.
Meckler and Purcell tallied 3:01 apart midway through the second period. Matt Moulson found Purcell streaking into the Worcester zone at 9:22 and Meckler's right circle blast made it 3-0 at 12:23.
While the Monarchs were limited to just seven shots in the first period, AHL rookie of the year Teddy Purcell needed only one shot for the only goal of the stanza. Purcell deked past three Sharks up the middle, lost the puck but recovered his own rebound firing a low shot from the center point past Sharks goaltender Dimitri Patzold (17 saves).
NOTES: C Brady Murray has a four-game goal streak with five in that span, including the only goal of the third period last night at 10:57, a breakaway ... C Brian Boyle was hurt in the first period when a Shark fell on him in a pile-up. Boyle did not return, although he said he wanted to. He was being evaluated by doctors after the game. Morris said, "It doesn't look good." ... D Jeff Likens has a season-best points streak of eight games. RW Lauri Tukonen and C Meckler upped their points streaks to five games ... Healthy scratches: D Rich Petiot, LW Petr Kanko, D Patrik Hersley, LW Paul Crosty ... G Dan Taylor was sent by the LA Kings to the Reading (Pa..) Royals of the ECHL ... AHL president Dave Andrews in the house ... Providence won the Atlantic Division last night and awaits either Manchester or Springfield as its opponent.
