There's nothing like the crucible of a playoff race to test a team's mettle.
Last night, the Manchester Monarchs passed that exam with flying colors, as they handed the Portland Pirates a 7-3 thrashing before 5,677 at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
Three Monarchs -- Trevor Lewis, Brian Boyle, and Teddy Purcell -- each netted two goals, to help bring them to within a point of the fourth-place Springfield Falcons.
Springfield, which has played one more game than the Monarchs, lost last night (4-1 to Hartford).
UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news - Monarchs rally for two crucial points - Sunday, Mar. 23, 2008
Monarchs rally for two crucial points (Union Leader) 
