This Date In Providence Bruins History: May 1

1999: Eric Nickulas’ hat trick spells the difference in a 6-3 victory at the Worcester Centrum that helps the top dog P-Bruins knock off the Worcester IceCats and advance to the New England Division Finals against Hartford. Antti Laaksonen inserts the go-ahead goal with 7:05 to spare in regulation before Nickulas completes his night with the first dose of insurance, the second one coming off the stick of former IceCat Marquis Mathieu.

2001: In a seesaw seventh game, the P-Bruins win their fifth straight elimination game and knock off the host Worcester IceCats courtesy of Jeremy Brown’s overtime goal. The 3-2 upshot gives the P-Bruins three playoff series wins in as many all-time tries with Worcester and puts Providence in the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season.

2007: Pascal Pelletier (two goals, assist), David Krejci (playmaker hat trick) and Hannu Toivonen (36 saves) highlight a 6-3 win over Manchester in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Finals.