Friday Night Wrap-up - Updated 7:45AM

AHL
The Monarchs got a nice confidence builder tonight, beating their first round opponent, Providence, 2-0. Jon Quick stopped all 26 shots for the shutout and was named the games #1 star. Marc-Andre Cliché had the game-winning goal and was +2 on the night. He also showed a physical side, getting a roughing penalty for sticking up for injured Josh Kidd who was hit from behind. John Zeiler was the games #2 star, scoring a goal, an assist and +2 in the game. He added a 5-minute fighting major for the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Richard Petiot played his first game in over a month, getting an assist and going +1. The Monarchs rested Matt Moulson and Ted Purcell in preparation of the playoffs. The game may have been costly as Zeiler, Kidd and Petiot all left the game with injuries. Petiot just cannot cut a break! I will update their status as soon as I here anything.

The Syracuse Crush crunched, the Rochester Americans by a score of 4-0. Paul Baier was held off the score sheet tonight.

ECHL
The Reading Royals suffered a heart breaker tonight against the Elmira Jackals, losing 1-0. Danny Taylor stopped 28 of 29 shots for the loss. Ned Lukacevic was held scoreless and was –1 on the night. Vladimir Dravecky, Dany Roussin, and Patrick Hersley were all held off the score sheet. Elmira now leads the first round series 1-0. Game #2 will be tomorrow night in Reading.

QMJHL
The Gatineau Olympiques beat the Quebec Remparts tonight by a score of 5-3. Joey Ryan had one shot but nothing else. The Olympiques won their quarterfinal series 4-1. They will now face the Rouyn-Noranda Mooseheads, who have swept both of their series so far.

WHL
The Lethbridge Hurricane defeated the Kootenay Ice tonight 3-0. Dwight King extended his goal scoring streak to 4 games with an empty net goal in the third. This is King’s 5th goal in 4 games for the Hurricanes. With tonight’s win, Lethbridge has won their quarterfinal series. They will face the winner of the Calgary/Swift Current series in the semifinals. Calgary leads that series 3-2 with game #6 being played Saturday night in Swift Current.

With their backs against the wall, the Seattle Thunderbirds have some work ahead of them. They are down 2-0 at the start of the third period. They are losing the quarterfinal series 3-1. The good news is Thomas Hickey has returned and is playing in tonight’s game. The bad news is goal scoring leader Bud Holloway has not had a point since game #1. I will update the final when the game is over.

Update: The Seattle Thunderbirds season is over. They fell to Tri-City last night 4-0, losing their quarterfinal series 4-1. Both Thomas Hickey and Bud Holloway were held off the score sheet. TJ Fast had an assist in the game. Tri-City will now face the winner of the Vancouver/Spokane series. The series is now tied at 2. Vancouver is the defending WHL champions and Memorial Cup champions.

Tri-City was the best team in the WHL this season. It was an uphill battle but I think they would have done better if their heart and soul, Thomas Hickey, was in the lineup. I was a little disappointed Bud Holloway didn't step up, scoring only 1 goal in the series which was a meaningless goal. That being said, Tri-City is a great defensive team and their #1 target had to be Holloway! Congrats to TJ Fast! Good luck in thr semis!