Brian Boyle was credited with the game-winning goal off a goal-mouth scramble 9:37 into the second overtime period, sending Manchester into the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history with a 3-2 win over Worcester on Saturday night.
The 22-year-old Boyle, a Massachusetts native and Boston College product who made his pro debut two weeks ago, assisted on both Monarchs goals in regulation and finished with six points in the series.
Tom Cavanagh and Mike Iggulden scored power-play goals in the third period to tie the score for the Sharks, who were trying to become just the third team in AHL history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games of a series.
Dimitri Patzold made 34 saves on the night, shutting out Manchester for more than 70 minutes between T.J. Kemp’s goal late in the first period and Boyle’s game-winner.
Jason LaBarbera stopped 45 shots for the Monarchs, who will take on the winner of Sunday’s Hartford-Providence Game 7 in the Atlantic Division final.
