The Manchester Monarchs became the first team to advance to the Division Finals of the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by SmileDirectClub with a 7-1 win over the Adirondack Thunder in Game 5 of their North Division Semifinals series on Saturday.
Manchester advances to the second round for the third consecutive year and awaits the winner of the Newfoundland/Brampton series in the next round. The Growlers lead that series 3 games to 2 and host Game 6 at St. John's on Tuesday.
With the score tied 1-1 late in the second period, Kevin Dufour put Manchester ahead with a goal in his fourth consecutive game at the 13:46 mark. The Monarchs added five goals in the final period to set the final.
Dufour led Manchester in the series with five goals while Pierre-Luc Mercier had a team-leading eight points (2g-6a).
The Thunder were led by John Edwardh who had six points (1g-5a) in the five games.
Click here to view the complete schedule and results from the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs presented by SmileDirectClub.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers