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December12/31/03 Monarchs loose 4-3 to Lock Monsters in OT
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union LeaderMANCHESTER — It was New Year’s Eve and this is the one night you wouldn’t have minded kissing your sister before 9,916 of your closest friends.
But Dan Carlson’s one-time slapshot from the right circle with 52 seconds to play in overtime snapped a tense deadlock, allowing the Lowell Lock Monsters to steal a 4-3 victory over the Manchester Monarchs and disappointing the fifth sellout crowd of the season in Verizon Wireless Arena.
Manchester (16-14-2-3, 37 points), which moved into a tie with Worcester for third in the Atlantic Division, hosts the second-place Providence Bruins tomorrow at 7:35 p.m.
Lowell (13-14-3-1, 30) is on a four-game unbeaten streak. It was the Lock Monsters’ first win on the road in six games. The Lock Monsters stay in sixth in the division but are closing the points gap on the leaders with a vengeance.
“Because of the logjam in the division, every game is like a playoff game now,” said Monarchs coach Bruce Boudreau. “You can’t afford to give up points to teams in your division.”
In regulation, Tomas Zizka, Scott Barney and Steve Kelly had the Manchester goals. Brad Fast, Chris McNamara and David Inman scored for Lowell.
To force overtime, Monarchs defenseman Tomas Zizka pushed in Brad Church’s deflected centering pass across the crease a minute after the Lock Monsters had forged ahead 3-2 late in the third period.
Lowell’s Brad Fast had made it 3-2 with 6:06 to go. He and three Lock Monsters caught the Monarchs on a weird line change. Weird since the puck was in the Monarchs’ end — high in the air on a deflection.
“The puck went way up in the air. I don’t think anybody knew where it was and some of their guys changed. All of a sudden we got a 4-on-1 in the zone,” said Lock Monsters coach Ron Smith. “And (Manchester) was mad.”
“Six minutes left, that can’t happen,” said Monarchs captain Richard Seeley. “A 2-2 game at home? That can’t happen. We’ve got to better. We’re at home. You’ve got to do what it takes to win.”
With his trademark wraparound, Barney knotted the game 2-2 midway through the third period. Lowell’s defense had limited the Monarchs to just one shot in the first eight minutes of the third, so to even get a close-range crack at goalie Patrick DesRochers was a minor miracle.
“It was up for grabs right from the start of the third period, or probably right from the start of the game,” said Smith. “We kept getting disappointed by their comebacks and then won it in overtime. Fun game.”
Sporting one of the best power plays in the AHL, Lowell knotted the game 1-1 with the only goal of the second period. With his second goal in as many nights, Lock Monster newcomer Inman, who played his college hockey at Notre Dame, easily finished Tomas Kurka’s patient centering pass to the back door down low 9:58 into the period. The Monarchs killed off a five-minute high sticking major penalty whistled on Kelly in the last 7:53 of the second to keep it tied.
The Monarchs’ Kelly drew first blood, scoring 4:33 into the game. Tic-tac-toe passing on a 3-on-1 gave Pavel Rosa and Brad Church point-blank shots from six feet. In the slot, Kelly finished Church’s rebound.
12/31/03 Monsters mash the Monarchs
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union LeaderLOWELL, Mass. — It may be the holiday season but this was no party for the guest Monarchs.
Notre Dame product David Inman pocketed a pair of gifts and Mike Zigomanis did the gift wrapping, assisting on three goals as the Lowell Lock Monsters drubbed the Manchester Monarchs, 5-1, last night before 3,061 in Tsongas Arena.
Lowell (12-14-3-1, 28 pts) is unbeaten in three. The home-and-home series between the teams moves to Manchester tonight for a sold-out 7:05 New Years Eve bash.
The loss stopped Manchester’s two-game win streak. The Monarchs (16-14-2-2, 36 pts.) were playing their fourth game in five days. The AHL scoring average leaders entering the game, Manchester went 0-for-3 against the league’s worst penalty-killing unit.
However, the Monarchs have just four victories on the road in 16 games, while in their fan-packed Verizon Wireless Arena they have 12 wins in 18 games. Monarchs coach Bruce Boudreau said it is “perplexing” how his team, which thrashed division leader Hartford two days earlier in Manchester, could lose so badly on the road. The Lock Monsters never trailed.
“For whatever reason we just didn’t look ready,” said Boudreau. “. . . we could use excuses but we don’t want to use excuses. This is the same team that played Sunday against Hartford and shut them out.”
To hold onto a three-goal lead after two periods, the Lock Monsters’ Inman, a free agent from the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL, and Brad Fast sandwiched goals around Pavel Rosa’s 13th goal of the season. Inman’s first goal in just his fourth game as a Lock Monster 5:58 into the second period made it 3-0. He converted Brad Fast’s knocked-down slapper in front. Rosa’s goal was a deflection of Monarchs newcomer Randy Perry’s left point drive at 12:22. But, Fast added a back-breaking power play goal after Zigomanis’ drop pass with 11 seconds left in the second making it 4-1.
Another former Notre Dame skater, Dan Carlson scored the only goal of the third period with 4:56 to go for the 5-1 final.
“I’m hoping this is a signal,” said Boudreau. “It’ll test the character. If they don’t come out ready to play tomorrow it’ll say a lot about the character the team.”
Lowell’s Brad DeFauw and Tomas Kurka scored goals 5:53 apart as the Lock Monsters took command with a 2-0 lead in the first period. At 8:10 DeFauw stabbed in a rebound in the crease of Mike Zigomanis’ drive from the right circle that Chouinard had saved. Kurka, out for 19 games with mononucleosis and in just his third game back, ripped a wide-open shot in the slot at 14:03, again off a Zigomanis feed. It was the first goal of the season for Kurka, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect.
Monarchs goalie Mathieu Chouinard (24 saves), making his third straight start, was not without his superb moments in the opening period. The early score could have been wider since the Lock Monsters outshot Manchester 12-5. Only 4:12 into the game, Chouinard made a blocker save on Pavel Brendl’s breakaway. And with 32 seconds to go in the first Chouinard snuffed Chad Larose in a slot one-timer from a 3-on-2 break.
Lock Monsters goalie Patrick DesRochers (32 saves) earned his first win in five starts.
“(Lowell) from the goaltender on out played a lot better than our guys individually,” added Boudreau.
12/31/03 Reinforcements may head east as Kings recuperate
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports WriterIN THE MIDST of one of the most grueling stretches of schedule this season there could be some high-powered reinforcements coming back to the Manchester Monarchs from Los Angeles.
This week Los Angeles Kings injured forwards Derek Armstrong, Ian Lapierre and Esa Pirnes have started skating, as has defensemen Lubomir Visnovsky and Brad Norton. Rookie Dustin Brown (ankle) is gingerly skating in practice. The healthy return of any of the above would have the Kings returning players to Manchester.
“The Kings have two games this week. We’ll wait and see,” said Monarchs coach Bruce Boudreau. “Every time I make a prediction something happens.”
On the bad news front, top-flight forward Jason Allison has stopped skating and enforcer Kip Brennan has received a 10-game NHL suspension for returning to the ice after he was ejected with about a minute to play last Friday against the San Jose Sharks. The suspension will cost Brennan $24,444. But more importantly, it will cost the Kings, who are in a first-place dogfight with the Sharks in the Pacific Division, a roster spot over those 10 games. The Kings cannot call up a replacement. That fact really puts the “bone” in the “boneheaded” tantrum by the second-year NHLer and former Monarch.
Former?
Probably a good chance that the Kings’ brass will react hotly to the Brennan suspension. In that case, Brennan could be relegated to the AHL for making such a selfish statement when the team is struggling with injuries and clawing to maintain a slight hold on first place. But, Brennan would have to clear waivers so it’s doubtful they’ll let him slide to another team by sending him down. More likely, the Kings would throw him into any trade deal on the horizon. So far, no word in the media from the Kings’ brass, but how could they possibly condone a 10-game suspension?
In goal, Cristobal Huet started his 10th consecutive game following the hip injury to starter Roman Cechmanek. No immediate return in sight for Cechmanek. The longer Cechmanek is out, certainly the greater the potential for the Kings to deal youth for a number one goalie prior to the March trade deadline. Youth could also be traded away on the offensive side if Allison can’t return and the Kings stay in their playoff-run mode.
MONARCHS MINUTES: Winger Ryan Flinn returned to action last night after missing seven games with a bad cut under his left eye sustained in a fight with the Baby B’s Colton Orr . . . Winger Dan Welch missed his second game with an injured shoulder . . . The Monarchs are only the second team this season to eclipse the 100-goal plateau. The other is the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Monarchs 3.03 goals for average leads the league . . . Chris Schmidt’s penalty shot goal against the Worcester Ice Cats last Saturday was the first successful one in Monarchs’ history . . . The Monarchs 49 shots vs. the Ice Cats was a season high.
KELLY’S STOCK RISING: Monarchs 27-year-old center Steve Kelly has scored in each of his last four games, including a goal in three of the four games. Couldn’t this eighth-year pro help someone in the NHL? If Kelly could put his penchant for penalties behind him, one could easily proclaim him one of the best forwards not in the NHL. Two teams that could use a Kelly-type skilled crasher right in our backyard are Montreal and Boston.
12/31/03 Monarchs need more consistency next half
By BRUCE BOUDREAU
Special to The Union LeaderOVERALL, our team deserves mixed reviews for the first half of the season. We have a lot of talent in our locker room, and as coaches, we can see that an excellent chemistry exists among our players.
Our biggest fault in the first half has been inconsistent play, especially on the road. We started slowly, winning only one of our first six games. That sluggish start was followed by a seven-game unbeaten streak in November. Since the streak, we’ve been an average hockey team.
Goaltending – We have three excellent goaltenders in Milan Hnilicka (currently on recall with the Los Angeles Kings), Mathieu Chouinard and Adam Hauser. All three are capable of getting into a groove and anchoring our team in the second half. Injuries to Hnilicka and Chouinard have slowed their progress. Neither has seen enough ice time to really dominate. Hauser was better than great in his first seven appearances. His numbers have slipped a bit over his last seven starts, but he’s still playing well for us.
Ideally, one of the three will step up in the second half and make it all but impossible for us to start anybody else.
Defense – Our success as a hockey team this season can be directly linked to our defensive play. We’ve had several changes along the blue line over the last couple of weeks because of injuries and call-ups. Both have forced us to insert players into the system at the last minute. New additions like Jonathan Zion and Randy Perry have played remarkably well, considering the circumstances.
Tomas Zizka was an All-Star for us last year and he’s close to being an everyday NHL defenseman. We need him to play like an All-Star every night. If he does, he’ll soon take that next step. Joe Rullier has really stepped up his game and Richard Seeley is having his best season as a pro.
Forwards – Scott Barney, Pavel Rosa and Steve Kelly have done a great job for us. Noah Clarke and George Parros have really come on as rookies, and Jeff Giuliano’s work ethic is second to none. It’s hard to complain about our offense, which ranks No. 1 in the league in goals per game average. Still, coaches are like parents. We’re happy when we see our kids do well, but we always think they can do even better.
Chris Schmidt (fractured foot) and Jerred Smithson (recently returned from recall with the Kings) missed most of the first half of the season. With both in the line up for the second half, we should be even better up front.
Special Teams – Special teams can make or break a season. We’re starting to get on a roll with the power play. Even if we’re not scoring, we’re constantly getting chances. Our penalty kill, with the exception of two lulls, has been solid. The early difficulties can be attributed to the players learning the system. Player movement is most likely to blame for the most recent lull.
Coaching – Jim Hughes has provided us with several fresh ideas. He’s a former NHL coach who brings a lot of insight and experience to the table. Dane Jackson is a tremendous support guy who pulls double duty. First, he’s in charge of conditioning. We lead the league with a plus-16 goal differential in the third period. That tells me that we’re a well-conditioned hockey team. He deserves credit for that. Jackson is also our eye in the sky for the first two periods before joining us on the bench for the third period in games. We’re often able to make adjustments on the ice based on what he sees upstairs.
12/29/03 Monarchs put bite on the Wolf Pack
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union LeaderMANCHESTER – Noah Clarke, Scott Barney, Steve Kelly and Brad Church scored as the Manchester Monarchs pinned the worst loss of the season on the Atlantic Division leading Hartford Wolf Pack, 4-0 last night before 9,045 in the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Church, last cut by the Monarchs and sent to Reading, Pa., of the ECHL, where he was the Royals’ captain, was in on three of the Monarchs goals.
“Our scorers were on top of them,” said Monarchs coach Bruce Boudreau. “Our checkers checked them to a standstill. Played it simple. It’s a testament to their character that they came through and played like this.”
Monarchs goalie Mathieu Chouinard, who has made two trips to the East Coast League this season, won back-to-back AHL games for the first time this season. Before Friday’s victory over the Ice Cats he hadn’t posted a win for the Monarchs in more than two months.
It was the second time this season that Manchester (16-13-2-2, 36 pts.) has handled the Wolf Pack in the Queen City. Last night’s drubbing was Hartford’s widest margin defeat on the season. Hartford (18-9-4-1, 41 pts.) lost its second straight for the first time since Nov. 14.
“We wanted to win easy tonight,” said Hartford coach Ryan McGill. “I tell you what, we didn’t look like a first place hockey team.”
Hartford goalie Phil Osaer, the second-leading netminder in the league, was on a four-game win streak with a 1.00 goals against average in that stretch. But Chouinard outshined him. Chouinard made a sprawling save on Paul Healey’s short breakaway 8:43 into the game when it was scoreless and the Monarchs were outshot 7-1 to that point. From there it was all Monarchs.
“It feels awesome,” said Chouinard, after making 21 saves.
“(Hartford) looked like a first-place team to me,” added Boudreau. “They don’t give you a lot. They check so hard and work so hard. Once it got to three-nothing they got a little frustrated.”
The Monarchs scored in every period. Rookie Noah Clarke, in his first game back after two weeks of NHL action, scored the only goal of the first period. Clarke snapped away Church’s rebound on the power play 4:16 before the period’s end. Hartford captain Ken Gernander complained to referee Dan O’Rourke that an interference block by a Monarch at center ice sent the Monarchs in for a 5-on-3 on the play. His complaints fell on deaf ears. Hartford’s McGill spoke privately with AHL supervisor of officials Denis Morel after the contest.
The Monarchs scored on their first shot of the second period. But it took awhile. In a slow, sluggish period (both teams were playing their third game in as many days) Barney deflected newcomer Jonathan Zion’s slap shot from the right point at 11:24.
But Hartford’s McGill wasn’t buying scheduling excuses. It was a big game and so far the Monarchs have found a way to make statements twice in the Big V against Hartford.
“It’s actually embarrassing the way we played tonight,” McGill said. “That’s the bottom line. Embarrassing.”
Kelly’s insurance goal came 4:32 into the third period. He stuffed in Brad Church’s near-post little rebound. Church whisked away for an empty netter with 55 seconds to play.
Because of callups and injuries the Monarchs were playing with seven East Coast League players in the lineup and only three defensemen who started the season in Manchester.
“Everybody played their role to a ‘T’ tonight,” said Boudreau.
“We didn’t follow the game plan,” said McGill. “Steve Kelly and Jerred Smithson ran our show. Our guys didn’t want to compete with their defensemen. (Manchester) didn’t have (Richard) Seeley or (Bryan) Muir. We didn’t show a lot of character that’s for sure.”
With their second straight win the Monarchs move into third place in the division behind Hartford and Providence. The Monarchs are at the Lowell Lock Monsters tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.
12/29/03 Goalie Chouinard finding his place with Monarchs
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union LeaderGOALIE MATHIEU CHOUINARD started back-to-back games for the first time this season, won consecutive games for the first time this season and posted his first AHL shutout in more than two years.
With Los Angeles Kings starting goalie Roman Chechmanek hurt and out indefinitely the first-place parent club is one goaltending injury away from what could have been a disaster. Now all their prospects are playing well.
“That’s what we need,” said Monarchs veteran scorer Steve Kelly. “We need both goalies playing well.”
Adam Hauser, who is signed to a Manchester Monarchs deal, is among the top 10 goalies in the AHL. And yesterday Chouinard was looking like the best goalie in the AHL.
“I’ve been looking forward to this,” said Chouinard. “It’s hard when you’re sitting on the bench or hurt. You want to be a part of it.”
“Here’s a guy who came in and got hurt. Didn’t have great camps in L.A. or here. Struggled a little bit here,” said Monarchs coach Bruce Boudreau. “Got sent down, got called up. Got sent down. Got called up. Never playing. Frustrated. Never played back-to-back.”
Friday night when the Worcester Ice Cats ripped off three goals in the first period on Chouinard, fans were screaming for his removal.
“(Friday) It was a crazy game for everybody,” said Chouinard, a former first round pick of the Ottawa Senators, who has never had a crack at the NHL.
“We played the first period to win, that’s for sure. Coming into the locker room down 3-1 we were not happy about it. We were really mad. I was really pissed. Whatever happens I’ve got to make the save.”
“We kept him in even though he was a little shaky on some of those goals,” said Boudreau. “But said to him, ‘You’re going back again.’”
Last night when Chouinard was named the game’s number one star, he skated to center ice with a big smile and waved to everyone. They want to love this kid. Now the biggest crowds in the AHL will get a chance. The fourth-year forgotten pro Chouinard is getting his chance and it has all the making of being a very memorable return to the brilliance he showed in junior days in the Quebec League.
“He made the big saves when he had to make big saves,” Boudreau said. “I thought he was very good today.”
And for once so did 9,045 of his harshest critics.
MONARCHS MINUTES: The Monarchs had their “Double-Trouble” line on the power play against the Ice Cats. No. 11 Steve Kelly, No. 55 Pavel Rosa and No. 44 Scott Barney . . . Barney’s goal yesterday was his 30th as a Monarch, the fifth player to do it. . . . The “Bruise Brothers” Chris Schmidt and Jerred Smithson were reunited on a line last night . . . Schmidt and Brad Church both scored their first goals of the season in Friday’s win. Church’s goal was also a game winner, the 12th different Monarch with a game-winner this season . . . Noah Clarke was a precautionary scratch Saturday night. Clarke was under the weather with a cold, but was back in uniform last night . . . Captain Richard Seeley missed the last two games with a knee injury sustained in Providence Friday. So center Jerred Smithson wore the ‘C’ for the first time in his pro career . . . It is a real treat to sit behind Chouinard after the National Anthem. Man does he have some moves getting ready to rock! . . . Saturday’s sellout was the third of the season. The Monarchs continue leading the AHL in attendance with an 8,639 average.
12/28/03 Monarchs skate past Worcester
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union LeaderMANCHESTER — The Manchester Monarchs overcame the Awesome Austrian with a four-goal second period barrage beating the Worcester Ice Cats, 6-4 last night before 9,916 in the sold out Verizon Wireless Arena.
Ice Cats goalie Reinhard Divis was unbeaten in three starts against the Monarchs this season and was making his 19th straight start. He was only beaten once in his last seven entering the game.
But, Monarchs leading goal scorer Scott Barney had a pair of goals for 16 on the season and he assisted on one. Veteran Chris Schmidt, in just his second game back from eight weeks out with a broken foot, scored a goal and had two assists. Steve Kelly figured in on three goals. Each had a goal in the decisive, come back second period.
Manchester (15-13-2-2, 34 pts.), with just one victory in its last six, was desperate for a victory. The Monarchs host the Atlantic Division-leading Hartford Wolf Pack today at 4:05 p.m. Hartford’s league-best four-game win streak ended last night at the hands of East Division leader Bridgeport.
With a vengeance the Monarchs ended a seven-game winless skein against the Ice Cats that dated back to last season. The Ice Cats (14-11-7-0, 35 pts.) saw their two-game unbeaten streak end with a thud.
“It’s no secret we needed a win. I needed a win,” said goalie Monarchs goalie Mathieu Chouinard (27 saves), who was recalled from the East Coast League Friday. “I was a little nervous. I hadn’t played in this building for awhile.”
“Every wins a good win,” said the veteran Schmidt. “We had a gut check at the end.”
Refusing to start the bus, Worcester’s Glumac made it a one-goal game, 5-4, scoring 3:11 before the second period’s end. Worcester kept the pressure on the Monarchs in the third to no avail and Joe Rullier put away an empty netter with 11 seconds to play.
Four goals in the first 7:45 of the second put the Monarchs in command, 5-3 and threatened a runaway. Goals by Barney, Schmidt and Kelly led to Worcester coach Don Granato lifting Divis for Curtis Sanford, who’s played in just five games this season. Schmidt’s penalty shot goal at 2:23 after he was tackled on a short-handed breakaway tied it 3-3. Kelly’s ninth goal of the season during a 5-on-3 power play made it 4-3 and sent Divis to the showers. Then Brad Church’s first goal of the season still on the power play 34 seconds later put Manchester up, 5-3 — the first shot Sanford saw. Sanford did not give up a goal the rest of the way though.
“We were very poor defensively. As poor as I’ve ever seen us,” said Granato. “Tough to control a game when you can’t control anything on the defensive side . . .We were unquestionably poor. Nobody was playing well, Divis included.”
But, the Divis difference had the Monarchs scratching their heads during the first period intermission. The Monarchs outshot Worcester, 21-11 in the opening period. The Monarchs should have been leading. Instead, to take a 3-1 lead, the Ice Cats scored three times in a 5:50 span after the Monarchs had loudly opened the contest with a power play goal 46 seconds in. Evans, Ernie Hartlieb and Brown had the Ice Cats’ tallies.
Checking forward Evans beat Chouinard with a right point snap shot at 12:36. Hartlieb, a third-year pro out of Miami-Ohio, easily finished a 3-on-1 at 8:29. And Brown ripped away a slot gift off a Monarchs turnover behind Chouinard that tied it 1-1 at 6:46. Barney had scored on a quick power play 46 seconds into the game. He stuffed in Pavel Rosa’s little chip into the crease.
NOTES: The obstruction trip penalty whistled on Worcester’s Johnny Pohl off the opening faceoff last night — six seconds into the game — was the quickest penalty ever called in the Big V . . . Ice Cats defenseman Trevor Byrne, who captained the Dartmouth hockey team and is the school’s all-time leader in games played (130), earned a start last night . . . Former UNH star Colin Hemingway was an injury scratch for the Ice Cats. Hemingway is suffering from headaches . . . Past Ice Cats captain Eric Nickulas, another UNH star, has certainly stuck with the parent-club St. Louis Blues. Left wing Nickulas is the Blues’ sixth-leading scorer with 6-9-15.
12/28/03 Dartmouth grad joins Monarchs
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union LeaderMANCHESTER — The Verizon Wireless Arena continues to serve as the land of opportunity for young pro hockey players. Yesterday the Monarchs added former Dartmouth defenseman P.J. Martin from the Trenton Titans of the ECHL.
Martin, a 22-year-old rookie out of Haverhill, Mass., played four seasons at Dartmouth and was graduated last May. With Trenton he scored one goal and assisted on eight in 22 games. Martin’s addition coincides with the continued player movement throughout the system.
So now the Monarchs have Martin, journeyman Randy Perry and second-year pro Jonathan Zion out of the ECHL and only four healthy defenseman who started the season in the Queen City. Richard Seeley, Joe Rullier, Tomas Zizka and Doug Nolan are the only D-men left who started the year here.
Forwards from the ECHL who did not start the season in Manchester, but who have landed jobs here are Leon Hayward (Reading), Rob Ftorek (Greensboro) and Brad Church (Reading).
MONARCHS MINUTES: Last night was the 200th Monarchs game. Captain Richard Seeley leads in all-time games played with 161 . . .Here comes the judge. The Monarchs top cop Ryan Flinn is due back for the Lowell series this upcoming week . . . Chris Schmidt returned to action Friday night at Providence . . . Pavel Rosa scored his 40th career goal as a Monarch Friday. He’s one of only three players to hit that mark. The others were Eric Healey (Chicago Wolves) and Derek Bekar (Bridgeport Sound Tigers) . . . This is the Monarchs busiest stretch of schedule on the season — 7 games in 10 days.
IN THE KINGDOM: Goalie Milan Hnilicka made his first appearance in a Kings uniform Friday in relief of Cristobal Huet as the Kings were shelled, 5-0 by the San Jose Sharks. Monarchs Bryan Muir and John Tripp were both healthy scratches. With the callup of Hnilicka, goalie Mathieu Chouinard got his first start last night with the Monarchs since Nov. 28 at Lowell.
12/27/03 Bruins edge Monarchs
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Right wing Carl Corazzini beat goaltender Adam Hauser in a race for the puck, and his shorthanded goal with 3:37 left in the third period was the difference as the Providence Bruins edged the Manchester Monarchs, 3-2, before a crowd of 6,983 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center last night.
With the Monarchs on the power play and pressing for the lead, center Robert Liscak shoveled a loose puck out of the Providence zone. Corazzini, reading the play, bolted out of the zone and reached the puck just ahead of Hauser near the Monarchs blue line. Corazzini avoided Hauser’s diving poke check before sliding the puck into the open net.
Corazzini’s goal, his seventh this season, spoiled the Monarchs attempted come back. The visitors had clawed their way back to tie the game with left wing Brad Church’s unassisted backhander with 9:31 remaining in the third.
The Monarchs (14-13-2-2, 32 points) return to action today when they host the Worcester IceCats at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester. Less than 700 tickets remain for today’s game, the 200th in franchise history.
The Bruins evened the season series with the Monarchs at two games apiece thanks to Corazzini and left wing Ivan Huml, who added two goals for the Bruins.
Huml’s first goal closed a rapidly paced opening period. Huml gave the Baby B’s the lead by sliding the puck just inside the left post with 13 seconds remaining in the period for his sixth goal this season. Corazinni and defenseman Ed Campbell assisted on the goal as the Bruins took advantage of a Monarchs defensive miscue in the neutral zone.
Goaltender Peter Hamerlik, making his second appearance for the Bruins, finished with 14 saves in the opening period. He also had a little help as right wing Pavel Rosa rang his wrist shot off the cross bar with 4:15 remaining in the period. Hamerlik also stoned Church’s rebound attempt on a Monarchs power play midway through the period.
The Bruins, ranked No. 1 in the AHL on the power play, showed that they were worthy of the ranking early in the second period as Huml notched his second goal of the game and his seventh goal this season from the right circle. Huml, who leads the Bruins with five power play goals, took advantage of a screen from center Andre Savage and slipped his shot through the legs of Hauser 48 seconds into the period. Savage and defenseman Rich Brennan assisted on the Bruins’ 29th power play goal this season.
Rosa, center Steve Kelly and left wing Scott Barney teamed up for the Monarchs first goal, scored with 2:54 remaining in the middle period to make it 2-1. Rosa hammered Kelly’s offering by Hamerlik from the right circle for his 12th goal this season. Barney started the play by locating Kelly in the slot.
Hamerlik finished with 31 saves and his first AHL win. Hauser also finished with 31 saves. The Bruins were 1-for-1 on the power play. The Monarchs were 0-for-3.
12/26/03
Month of mediocrity ends with a win
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer
THE MANCHESTER Monarchs ended a franchise-record five-game losing streak on the road in Utah last Sunday and halted a season-worst four-game overall winless streak.
“Things didn’t go right. There were guys in the room who were very, very disappointed,” said coach Bruce Boudreau of a 6-0 loss at Utah that served as a stick of dynamite firing the Monarchs to an OT victory the next night. “They were all coming in and getting mad at themselves. I was hoping to be a calming effect. We talked about it. This doesn’t happen to the Monarchs. We’re not the kind of team that gets shelled. It’s an anomaly. And we talked about coming back the next night. Had it been five-nothing the next night then I would have said, ‘We’ve got a problem.’ But, we came through a lot of adversity to win the next night.”
So with a sigh of relief the Monarchs earned a holiday week off from a month of mediocrity — .500 hockey so far in December.
“We ended our last game on an upbeat note,” Boudreau said. “I’m hoping the batteries are all re-charged and ready to make a run.”
Tonight the expedition back to first place in the Atlantic Division gets under way. The Monarchs are at the second-place Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. and tomorrow they host the third-place Worcester Ice Cats at 7:35 p.m. Tomorrow night’s game will be telecast by Comcast cable channel CN8.
The Monarchs have slipped to fourth place in the Atlantic Division. But, with seven divisional games in the next 10 days, the Monarchs could once again be knocking on the door of the division-leading Hartford Wolf Pack. Sunday at 4 p.m. the Monarchs host the Wolf Pack.
And talk about tough schedules.
The Wolf Pack can go one worse than the Monarchs into the New Year. The Wolf Pack will be in the midst of a grueling eight games in 10 days stretch when they come to the Queen City. Wolf Pack forwards Jason MacDonald, Bobby Andrews, Lucas Lawson and Brandon Cullen are injured as is defenseman Matt Kinch.
No one is sitting pretty. The division is propped up for pillaging at this point. Both Providence and Worcester are experiencing the revolving door of players in and out, up and down. Providence is without leading goal scorer Pat Leahy, who suffered an ankle injury. The Boston Bruins have already surpassed their man-games lost due to injury from last year so they have dug deep into the Providence lineup. The Baby Bruins, however, lead the AHL in power play conversion.
Worcester’s top veteran, Scott Pellerin signed with the St. Louis Blues last weekend. So three of their top nine scorers are up with the parent club. Defenseman Jame Pollock has been loaned so he can play with the Canadian National Team. But, Ice Cats goalie Reinhard Divis is a mainstay. He recently ended a 203-minute shutout streak.
This is the stretch that could make or break a divisional champion.
“Everybody is in the same boat,” said Boudreau. “It’s a time to make up some ground. All against divisional opponents. We’d like to think it’s not a make or break but it’s a make.”
JUST PASSING THROUGH: Defenseman Randy Perry, a fifth-year pro who spent three seasons in Europe, signed a tryout agreement with the Monarchs last Friday. He had been released by the Utah Grizzlies earlier that day, so Perry simply switched locker rooms that evening to play for the Monarchs.
The Monarchs released Perry on Sunday.
MONARCHS MINUTES: In case you didn’t notice, defenseman Richard Seeley is having a career-best season. He’s played every game (30) with a plus-11 and 2-5-7 . . . Right wing John Tripp’s next game will be his 200th in the AHL. His next goal will be his 50th in the AHL. Tripp and goalie Milan Hnilicka rejoined the Los Angeles Kings after the two games in Utah on an emergency basis and will be back in Manchester this weekend . . . Scott Barney snapped his six-game goal-less streak with his team-leading 14th tally in the 3-2 win over Utah . . . Steve Kelly has three goals in the last five games . . . The Monarchs faced a season-high nine power plays in their OT win over Utah. They killed off eight and two of those were five-minute majors . . . The 6-0 Friday loss to the Grizzlies equaled the Monarchs record for lopsided losses. The loss came despite a season-high 47 shots for the Monarchs . . . Pavel Rosa continues as the team scoring leader with 11-22-33 . . . Bryan Muir has led all AHL defensemen since day one of this season. He has 6-18-24 . . . Wingers Chris Schmidt (broken foot) and Ryan Flinn (eye) are both day to day . . . Center Yanick Lehoux is out 3-4 weeks with a broken finger.
DID YOU KNOW? The Monarchs were winless in six overtime games (0-3-3) dating back to last season. The Monarchs ended that streak when Rosa scored in OT beating Utah, 3-2 Saturday night.
PROMOTIONS: Still time to join the Monarchs Kids Club at any game in Verizon Wireless Arena. The annual Kids Club Party is Monday, Jan. 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Big V.
AROUND THE AHL: After a nine-game scoring slump the Hershey Bears sent former AHL all-star center Charlie Stephens to Quad City Mallards of the UHL. Stephens, who was called up by the Colorado Avalanche three times so far this season, is on a nine-game pointless streak. In the process the Bears called up former UNH scorer Lanny Gare . . . Speaking of UNH, Darren Haydar has 6-9-15 as the third-leading scorer for the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators) . . . New Hampshire resident and former UNH star Mark Mowers has 2-6-8 in 17 games with the injury-riddled Detroit Red Wings. Before his NHL call-up Mowers had 8-6-14 in 16 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins . . . Former UNH goalie Jeff Levy was released by the Utah Grizzlies . . . Another past UNH goalie, Sean Matile is still toiling in the ECHL. The fifth-year pro is playing for the Mississippi Sea Wolves (2.82 GA in 10 games) . . . Bridgeport’s unbeaten streak ended at 20 games.
STIRRING UP ALL-STAR TIME: Fan balloting has opened at www.theahl.com for the 2004 Pepsi All-Star Classic in Grand Rapids, Mich., to be held Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Fans are voting to place players in the starting lineups of the Canadian and PlanetUSA (U.S. and European) teams. The Monarchs on their www.monarchshockey.com also have a direct link to the voting. Click on the all-star logo. Voters can vote once a day until Jan. 4.
The Monarchs will be hard-pressed to land three players on the star team. They have at least five players who should be all-stars — Rosa, Muir, Clarke, Seeley and Barney. But, the league has a penchant to showcase rookie stars such as Clarke. Kelly and Hauser should also be considered for all-star mention.
“I would encourage our fans to vote for our players who deserve it,” said Boudreau. “Will all of them make it? Not likely. It’s not the best way to do it. There are 16 teams (of 28) in the league who haven’t seen us play. But, we have the best fans in the league and the most fans going to games in the league.”
12/24/03 Hnilicka's recovery eases transition into holiday break
By BRUCE BOUDREAU
Special to The Union Leader
LIKE MOST people, I look forward to spending Christmas with family and friends. I really value that time together, especially with the kids getting older. As they move out of the house and on with their lives, it becomes harder and harder to get everybody together for the holidays.
My wife, Crystal, my youngest son, Brady, and I were in Toronto the last couple of days visiting my mother. She, like me, is still adjusting to life without my father. He died about a month ago. I’m glad I was able to get back. We shared memories of my father over dinner last night.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be spent at the Boudreau home in Merrimack. Brady makes sure of that. He believes Santa Claus will miss our house or forget to leave his gifts if we’re not home on Christmas Eve.
I’m upbeat and positive about what we can do as a hockey team in the New Year. I’m proud of the way we competed against the Utah Grizzlies, pulling out a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday night after experiencing a humiliating 6-0 loss to the Grizzlies on Friday.
I think the guys were embarrassed by what happened on Friday, when we didn’t seem to have anything go our way. We faced a young goalie that was making his first American Hockey League start, and he was on fire. After one especially strong save midway through the second period, assistant coach Dane Jackson turned to me and said “We’re not scoring on this guy tonight.” He was right.
Saturday’s game also had plenty of adversity. Two minutes into the opening period, we were two men down because of penalties. An early goal from the Grizzlies could’ve really damaged our chances. But thanks to the grit and determination of goaltender Milan Hnilicka and our penalty killers, we were able to get through the first two minor penalties unscathed.
We got another jolt a few minutes later when Steve Kelly scored. Everybody on the bench jumped with excitement in celebration of the goal. I remember looking at assistant coach Jim Hughes and thinking that our team was really into the game and that we would be tough to beat.
Hnilicka deserves a lot of credit for Saturday’s win. We pulled him from Friday’s game after he allowed two goals on two shots in just over a minute of play. We did it to change the momentum. Obviously that didn’t work.
On Saturday, Hnilicka played like a veteran leader is supposed to play, making a season-high 30 saves. He was at his best when we were shorthanded. We faced a season-high nine power plays in Saturday’s game, including two consecutive major penalties to open the third period. Hnilicka’s outstanding play kept the game deadlocked at two, allowing Pavel Rosa to net the game-winning goal in overtime.
Our hockey team won’t skate again as a team until Friday morning. We’ve never given any of our teams five days off for the holidays. But this is a special group. The coaching staff is confident the players will come back to the rink on Friday ready to play.
We want the guys to have fresh minds heading into January. We open the post-Christmas part of our season with five divisional games in six days. The schedule includes games on Friday (at Providence), Saturday (home vs. Worcester) and Sunday (home vs. Hartford) of this week, and Tuesday (at Lowell) and Wednesday (home vs. Lowell) of next week.
In many ways, rest is the best thing for the players as they prepare for the challenging schedule ahead.
click here for Recap of the 3-2 Utah Game
12/21/03
Rosa goal in OT lifts Monarchs over Grizzlies
3 - 2
Special to the Sunday News
WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH — Right wing Pavel Rosa’s power play goal with 33 seconds left in overtime gave the Manchester Monarchs an emotional 3-2 win over the Utah Grizzlies last night at the “E” Center.
The Monarchs (14-12-2-2), who snapped their four-game winless streak with the win, were embarrassed by the Grizzlies, 6-0, on Friday night at the “E” Center. The Monarchs also entered last night’s action with a franchise-worst five-game losing streak on the road.
Rosa registered his 11th goal seconds after ripping a shot off the cross bar. Center Steve Kelly and defenseman Tomas Zizka each collected assists on the Monarchs second power play tally of the game.
Goaltender Milan Hnilicka and strong penalty killing put the Monarchs in position to win. Hnilicka, rebounding for a subpar effort on Friday night, collected a season-high 30 saves while securing his fourth win of the season.
Hnilicka was at the top of his game in the opening stages of the third period, and he had to be as the Monarchs were saddled with two major penalties for high sticking.
Hnilicka, chased from Friday’s game against the Grizzlies after allowing two goals on only two shots, stopped all five shots he faced with both right wing Sam Ftorek and defenseman Bryan Muir in the penalty box.
Ftorek was in the box for high sticking right wing Justin Cox as the buzzer sounded to end the second period. Muir was in the box for high sticking center David Gove 3:07 into the third period.
Hnilicka and the rest of the Monarchs penalty killers caught a break 1:24 later when Valicevic was assessed a penalty for holding the stick.
Kelly and Cox each collected first-period goals. Kelly, who had his three-game point streak halted by the Grizzlies on Friday night, slipped a shot by goaltender Dan Ellis 7:08 into the period. The Monarchs were enjoying a 5-on-3 power play advantage at the time. Rosa and Muir shared assists on Kelly’s eighth goal this season.
Cox tied the game just 39 seconds later with the Grizzlies’ league-leading eighth shorthanded goal. Center Jarrod Skalde and defenseman Tim Wedderburn registered assists as Cox completed an odd-man rush into the Monarchs’ zone by beating Hnilicka for his sixth goal this season.
Right wing David Oliver’s power play goal 1:12 into the middle period gave the Grizzlies their first lead. Skalde and forward Rob Valicevic assisted on Oliver’s fifth goal this season, scored with the Grizzlies holding a 5-on-3 power play advantage.
Left wing Scott Barney’s first goal in six games tied the game 2:38 later. Barney collected his team-leading 14th goal by pouncing on a rebound after Ellis made a save on right wing John Tripp’s close range attempt.
Following the Christmas break, the Monarchs return home to the Verizon Wireless Arena on December 27 at 7:35 p.m. for a match-up with the Worcester IceCats. The first 5,000 fans attending Saturday’s game will receive a free Monarchs hat, courtesy of Executive Health & Fitness.
click here for Recap of the 6-0 Utah Game
12/20/03 Utah Grizzlies:
Ellis earns shutout in his 1st AHL start
6 - 0
WEST VALLEY CITY -- Dan Ellis, while playing with Boise, confessed that he once asked God for a shutout. He got one.
"I'm a religious guy, so I asked him again," said Ellis, whose prayers were answered. Then again, Ellis had great focus, too, as he earned a 6-0 win in his AHL debut against the Manchester Monarchs on Friday in the E Center.
The normally goal-hungry Grizzlies also gave Ellis plenty of offensive support. Jarrod Skalde registered a spectacular hat trick, the Grizzlies (11-14-2-2) first of the season, and David Oliver also scored twice.
"He looked under control the whole game," said Utah coach Don Hay of Ellis' effort. "He was very solid."
Coming in, Manchester (13-12-2-2) had scored 85 goals in 28 games. Ellis, 23, turned the Monarchs away 47 times.
"Danny played incredibly great," said Skalde. "It was a great start for the kid. And we're happy to have him."
Utah's two primary goalies, Mike Smith and Jason Bacashihua were away, Smith in Europe and Bacashihua in Dallas. There was concern about how Ellis would react.
"They had a few good chances," said Ellis. "I got a little bit nervous. But I still felt comfortable. We had six goals."
An energized Utah rocked Manchester with an explosion of goals. Skalde had two before the Monarch goalie had broken a sweat, the first coming 34 seconds after the opening faceoff.
Monarch goalie Milan Hnilicka appeared not even to see Skalde's wrister. Skalde's second goal, which he created by picking the puck on the blue line after David Gove had been held up by a Manchester defender, also dazzled Hnilicka, 1:49 into the opening stanza.
Manchester swapped goalies after only two shots, but Adam Hauser fared little better as Utah's onslaught continued. By the 10:33 mark, Oliver had snapped two goals past Hauser, a power-play and a short-handed effort.
Meanwhile, Ellis was a rock in goal, supporting Utah's most productive period this season by stopping 17 first-period shots. Manchester kept the pressure on throughout the second period, firing 15 shots to Utah's five.
12/19/03 Seeking a turnaround
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Union Leader staffThe Manchester Monarchs have some baggage they wish they didn’t bring to Utah. But, they may be able to jetison it this weekend.
Tonight and tomorrow night the Monarchs face the Utah Grizzlies (Dallas Stars) in Salt Lake City for the first time. The Grizzlies have posted consecutive shutouts in their E Center, same arena that hosted the Olympic ice hockey tournament in 2002. Both games start at 9:05 p.m. (eastern) and can be heard on WGIR 610 AM.
The baggage the Monarchs would like to leave behind:
Winless in three straight, the Monarchs have quickly slipped to fourth in the hotly contested seven-team Atlantic Division. Their three-game winless string equals their longest of the season. In that stretch, the Monarchs have been beaten twice by third-period goals, a period they had typically dominated until recent weeks.
Two weeks ago, they were trying to push their way into first place. But since that time, Pavel Rosa’s league-leading points streak ended and leading goal scorer Scott Barney is scoreless in four games. Noah Clarke, second-leading scorer among AHL rookies, is gone skating with the Kings, which means the Monarchs are missing two of their top-seven scorers (the other is John Tripp).
“We’re not changing a lot,” said Monarchs coach Bruce Boudreau earlier this week in practice. “We want to get back into good habits. We’re trying to make everybody realize that.
“Get back to what we’re good at. We’re focused on driving to the net, picking up rebounds and shooting the puck. Two-and-a-half weeks ago we were third in the league in shots on goal. Now we’re 12th.”
Boudreau said the entire team remains “upbeat.”
Monarchs number one goalie Milan Hnilicka will rejoin the team in Salt Lake City from Los Angeles. Hnilicka was sent down yesterday when Kings number one Roman Cechmanek returned to action after missing two games with a bruised left hip. Cechmanek served as the backup last night to Cristobal Huet.
MONARCHS MINUTES: With the arrival of Hnilicka, goalie Mathieu Chouinard was assigned to Reading, Pa., of the ECHL. At Reading, goalie Terry Denike was shipped to Wichita of the CHL and 24-year-old defenseman Franics Nault left pro hockey to finish his education at the University of Maine. Nault, who started the season in Manchester, is not eligible to play college hockey.
Chris Schmidt is skating after missing eight weeks with a broken foot. No word yet on his exact return date.
Goalie Adam Hauser ‘s 1.72 goals against average is the fourth-best in the AHL among goalies who have made five appearances or more. He has allowed two goals or fewer in nine of his 12 games. He has at least one shutout period in each of the 12 games. In 22 of 39 periods played, he has not allowed a goal. Only three times has he allowed more than one goal in a period in those 39 periods.
Steve Kelly is the only player in the AHL so far this season to receive five minor penalties in a game. In an 0-1-1 weekend, Kelly led the Monarchs in scoring with 1-1-2.
Defenseman Bryan Muir leads AHL defensemen in scoring with 6-17-23. In a tight loss at Bridgeport last Saturday, Muir was whistled for four of the Monarchs’ eight minor penalties. Boudreau said, “I addressed both (Kelly and Muir) this week. We can’t have experienced veterans doing that.”
Enforcer Ryan Flinn has been out with a head injury since a fight with Providence Bruins rookie Colton Orr Dec. 6. Flinn is skating every day, however, he did not make the trip to Utah.
Captain Richard Seeley ‘s plus-13 rating is tied for second among AHL defensemen.
The NHL roster freeze period is Dec. 19-27. No trades or player movement can be made unless for emergency reasons.
IN THE KINGDOM: Jason Allison had one of his best skates this week in months and told the L.A. media he may be ready to return soon. Coach Andy Murray predicted Allison will be back in the lineup within two to three weeks.
Adam Deadmarsh hinted that the word “retirement” is in his vocabulary. Like Allison, Deadmarsh has been out with post-concussion syndrome for a year.
Rookie Noah Clarke assisted a goal in his first NHL appearance Tuesday night, a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
The Kings are on a frightening pace to surpass their all-time record (and the NHL record) for man games lost to injury. Through Dec. 10, they led the NHL with 110 man games missed. At that pace, they would end up with more than 550 for the season, and the league record is 573 set by the Boston Bruins in 1991-92. The Kings lost 563 man games to injury last season when they did not reach the playoffs. Ouch!
The Toronto Globe and Mail panned Oilers GM Kevin Lowe for “botching” the Mike Comrie trade. Lowe reportedly asked Comrie for $2.5 million in order for Comrie to gain his freedom and complete a trade with the Mighty Ducks. The Kings had passed on Comrie.
REUNION: Kelly and left wing Brad Church were junior teammates from 1993-96 with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. Both number one draft picks in 1995, the pair are playing together for the first time since ’96. Church, like Kelly, was a starter in his first game as a Monarch.
HOT TICKETS: Leading the league in attendance, here is an update of ticket availability for upcoming Monarchs games. Saturday, Dec. 27 vs. Worcester Ice Cats, single seats in the lower bowl and 1,000 upper. Sunday, Dec. 28 vs. Hartford Wolf Pack, single seats in the lower bowl and 2,400 upper. New Years Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31 vs. Lowell Lock Monsters, single seats only. For tickets, call Ticketmaster, 868-7300, or visit the Verizon Wireless Arena box office (opening at 10 a.m. Monday-Saturday).
PROMOTIONS: The first 5,000 fans attending next Saturday’s game against Worcester (7:35 p.m.) receive a Monarchs hat. The shoot-to-win contest between the second and third periods will be worth a record $1,700 (and a new Volkswagen for the perfect shot) . . . First 5,000 at next Sunday’s game against Hartford (4:05 p.m.) receive a Monarchs trading card set.
Watch The Union Leader sports pages for Family Value Night coupons. A family of four purchasing tickets with a newspaper coupon (details on the coupons) for Sunday’s Hartford game saves $30 off tickets and snacks courtesy of The Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News.
With their annual teddy bear toss last Friday, the Monarchs picked up
a record 1,800 stuffed fuzzy friends for local charities.
12/17/03 Skipjacks still rule: memories of a streak
By BRUCE BOUDREAU
BY DEC. 25, our hockey team will have played 30 games in 76 days. Following the Christmas holiday, our team is scheduled to play 50 games in 107 days, including five games in six days from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.
With so many games scheduled in such a short amount of time, there won’t be many opportunities to instruct and condition the players in the second half of the season. Most of the practices will include light skating, little contact and shooting drills for the goalies, who need to face a lot of shots throughout the season to stay consistent.
We deserved a better fate than we received last week, when we played two good games against the Utah Grizzlies and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, but earned only one point in the standings.
I really liked the look of our team in the locker room just prior to our game against the Sound Tigers on Saturday. You could tell the players were up to the challenge of beating the Sound Tigers and putting an end to their incredible unbeaten streak that now stands at 20 games.
We allowed the Sound Tigers just four scoring chances during the entire game. That’s the lowest number we’ve allowed to any team this season. Still, winning breeds confidence and you could just sense the Sound Tigers believed they would get the break they needed to win the game. It was just a matter of time.
They received that break when defenseman Mattias Timander scored with less than five minutes remaining in the third period, giving the Sound Tigers the 2-1 win.
The Sound Tigers play together as a team better than any other team we’ve faced this season. In my mind, they have to be considered the class of the Eastern Conference at this time.
The Sound Tigers are now within seven games of tying the AHL’s all-time record longest unbeaten streak. The Cleveland Barons, winners of the 1948 Calder Cup, hold the record after going undefeated in 27 games from Jan. 28 to Mar. 21, 1948.
The Bridgeport streak reminds me of the record-setting streak I was a part of while skating with the AHL’s Baltimore Skipjacks during the 1984-85 season. The Skipjacks’ 16-game winning streak is still the longest in league history.
We set the mark in Binghamton on Mar. 23, 1985. The champagne flowed from the locker room at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena to the bus after we set the record. It continued to flow on the bus ride to Hershey, where we lost to the Hershey Bears, 5-4, the following night.
We rebounded from the loss in Hershey and closed the regular season with four more wins. We finished the season with 20 wins in our last 21 games and headed into the Calder Cup playoffs as the favorite.
After losing our playoff opener, we reeled off eight straight wins and advanced to the Calder Cup finals against the Sherbrooke Canadiens.
We lost in the finals to the Canadiens, mainly because of the outstanding play of two youngsters added to their roster just before the playoffs started. You may have heard of them. One was goaltender Patrick Roy. The other was Stephane Richer.
Roy, who went on to have a Hall of Fame NHL career, played very well, especially in the first two games as the Canadiens beat us twice on our home ice to open the series. Richer, who went on to appear in over 1,000 NHL games, scored the series-clinching goal with about two minutes remaining in game six of the series.
12/14/03 Sound Tigers edge Monarchs
Union Leader SportsBRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Defenseman Mattias Timander collected the gamewinner with 4:49 remaining in the third period as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers extended their unbeaten streak to 19 games with a 2-1 victory over the Manchester Monarchs before a crowd of 3,898 at the Arena at Harbor Yard on Saturday night.
Timander, trailing the play as former Monarchs left wing Derek Bekar charged into the offensive zone, cleaned up a rebound after goaltender Adam Hauser stopped right wing Jeff Hamilton’s bid from the slot. Hamilton and Bekar each earned their second points of the game with assists on Timander’s goal, his second of the season.
With the win, the Sound Tigers improved to 16-0-3-0 in their last 19 games. The Sound Tigers, who lead the Eastern Conference with 17 wins and 40 points, have not lost in regulation since falling to the Hershey Bears 3-1 on Oct. 18. They are 17-0-3-1 in their last 21 games since opening the season with a 0-3-2-0 record.
The Monarchs, winless in their last three games, dropped to 13-11-2-2 on the season.
Bekar and Monarchs center Steve Kelly had the other two goals in the game. Bekar finished a rough-and-tumble shift with his 11th goal as the Sound Tigers grabbed the early 1-0 lead 8:29 into the opening period. Bekar, who lost his helmet thanks to Kelly’s elbow in the face-off circle of the Bridgeport zone, took center Eric Manlow’s corner feed and drilled it by the glove of Hauser later in the shift. Hamilton also assisted on Bekar’s fourth goal this week.
The Monarchs tied the game with a power play goal against the best penalty-killing unit in the AHL midway through the second period. Kelly snapped his shot from the right circle and whistled the puck by the blocker pad of goaltender Dieter Kochan 8:11 into the period. Defenseman Bryan Muir and right wing Pavel Rosa assisted on Kelly’s seventh of the season. The power play goal was the first in four games for the Monarchs. The power play goal was also just the 10th allowed by the Sound Tigers this season.
Kochan improved to 9-2-4 on the season with 23 saves. Kochan also extended his personal unbeaten streak to 13 games (9-0-3-1). Hauser, whose record dropped to 6-3-3, had 24 saves. The Monarchs were 1-for-8 on the power play. The Sound Tigers were 0-for-6.
The Monarchs return to action when they travel to Salt Lake City to meet the Utah Grizzlies this Friday and Saturday at 9:05 p.m. ET.
The Monarchs’ next home game at the Verizon Wireless Arena is set for Saturday, Dec. 27 at 7:35 p.m. against the Worcester IceCats.
12/13/03 The Monarchs Lose To the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2 - 1
click here for Recap of the Bridgeport Gameand
12/12/03 The Monarchs could only salvage a TIE with the Utah Grizzlies 2 - 2
at their last home game before Christmas.....
click here for Recap of the Utah Game
12/10/03 Clarke’s proving to be a fast learner
By BRUCE BOUDREAU
Special to The Union LeaderIT’S ALWAYS FUN as a coach to see players develop and improve. Left wing Noah Clarke has made himself into a strong prospect for the Los Angeles Kings because he’s a gifted player who takes direction well.
Nine weeks into the season, Clarke leads all AHL rookies with 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists). He is also tied for the league lead with a plus-12 plus/minus rating.
Clarke, a native of LaVerne, Calif., whom the Kings selected in the ninth round (250th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, didn’t start out so fast this season. We actually sat him down after three games because we felt he had a few things to work on. We knew that he could skate, shoot and make a play. We also knew that he had the ability to fight for loose pucks and win individual battles. We wanted to see more fight out of him.
Clarke’s rapid development since sitting out that game is a testament to his character.
A rookie out of Colorado College, Clarke came to us with a reputation as a talented offensive player. He’s also proven to be very skilled in the defensive zone. He’s earned a regular spot on our penalty kill, something that a player like Jerred Smithson, one of our finest penalty killers over the years, didn’t earn until he was in our system for a year.
Clarke and I have a running joke. I refuse to tell him he had a good game. The last time I did, he was just plain awful the next time we played. Now, after a strong game, I just tell him that he stunk it up out there and slap him on the back.
Clarke isn’t the only rookie making strides. Right wing George Parros is another who has shown steady improvement. He started out as a big player and an above average skater and he’s developed into a prospect because he’s a smart kid. Like Clarke, he wants to get better.
Parros has adjusted quickly to the pro game. That’s something that’s tough to do coming out of college hockey, especially when your well over 6 feet tall and projected as an enforcer in the pros.
We’ve never questioned Parros’ toughness. He, along with left wing Ryan Flinn and defenseman Joe Rullier, deserve a lot of credit for having the courage stand up for their teammates and fight.
Parros lately has also added a scoring element to his game. What just one goal can do for a player’s confidence. Parros went all of last year without one. After netting his first of the season two weeks ago against the Providence Bruins, he’s been on an offensive tear.
The level of defense in the league this year is truly amazing. Two years ago we thought goaltender Travis Scott had an excellent season with a 2.50 goals against average. This season, goalies need an average of less than 2 to be rated in the top 20.
With teams playing so tight defensively, special teams are more important than ever. Unfortunately, special teams have been our Achilles heel this season. Our inconsistencies on the power play and penalty kill have cost us three or four wins.
We have the personnel needed to excel on specials teams. When we begin to ad lib on the ice, we get into trouble.
We had a strong practice yesterday, and we’ll work hard today as well to get back to where we should be as a hockey team.
Special teams are our focus as we prepare for games this weekend against the Utah Grizzlies and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
12/7/03 Bruins blow past the Monarchs, 2-1
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer LeaderMANCHESTER — The Providence Bruins stormed into the Verizon Wireless Arena and avenged a pair of embarrassing earlier losses by edging the Manchester Monarchs 2-1 last night in a game as rough and stormy as the weather outside.
Providence (12-8-5-0, 29 points), on a three-game unbeaten streak and with just two losses in its last nine, grabbed a share of second place with the Monarchs in the Atlantic Division. To retain its hold on first place, Hartford won its second straight, shutting out Lowell, 3-0, last night.
In a scrappy, hard-hitting game. The teams combined for 66 minutes in penalties and hit posts and crossbars all night. It went right to the final horn as the Monarchs played with a two-man advantage in the last 30 seconds.
Manchester (13-10-1-2, 29 points) had its two-game win streak snapped. It was the first regulation home loss for the Monarchs in 11 games.
Monarchs goalie Adam Hauser, who shut out the Bruins twice already this season, made 24 saves. Vermont product Tim Thomas made 29 saves for the Bruins.
Providence won it on Mike Gellard’s power-play goal with 7:06 to play. Gellard, a second-year pro out of St. Lawrence, redirected the centering pass of rookie Harvardman Brett Nowak.
After a tight scoreless first period that saw both goalies at the top of their game, the teams traded goals and plenty of punches in the second period. Steve Kelly put the Monarchs on the board first with his sixth goal of the season. He streaked right wing from the red line and unleashed a snap shot from the top of the right circle cleanly beating Thomas to the far side 4:08 in. Monarchs leading scorer Pavel Rosa assisted on the goal extending his points streak to nine games.
Midway through the second period Providence’s Andre Savage, on the left wing of a 3-on-2, tied it 1-1 by finishing Kris Vernarsky’s short feed. Savage, a fifth-year pro who has played 66 career NHL games between Philadelphia and Boston, ended Hauser’s shut out streak over the Bruins at 114 minutes.
Four fisticuffs in the first five minutes of the second period heated up the Big V, igniting the more than 7,000 fans who turned out despite the poor weather. Bruins rookie Colton Orr gamely fought to a punch-filled draw with Monarchs’ undisputed heavyweight Ryan Flinn. Flinn did not return to second-period action.
Monarchs defenseman Joe “Wanna Go” Rullier was jumped by Doug Doull seven seconds after the Flinn-Orr main event.
“George of the Jungle” Parros slugged it out with the Bruins baby bruiser, 5-foot-10, 200-pounder Brendan Walsh. Parros is 6-foot-4, 210. And Monarchs newcomer Sam Ftorek held his own in a cruiserweight bout with Peter Metcalf.
The Bruins were playing without two of their top three scorers, forward Pat Leahy and veteran Ted Donato, who were both recalled by the Boston Bruins yesterday morning.
12/6/03 The Baby Bruins Grow Up at the Monarchs Expense !
Bruins 2 Monarchs 1
click here for Recap of the Providence Game
12/6/03 Manchester says it's 'Game on' tonight
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Union Leader Sports Union LeaderGame on.
As of last night at 7 p.m., tonight’s big Monarchs bash with the Providence Bruins at Verizon Wireless Arena was “definitely” on.
Monarchs president Jeff Eisenberg said the game would be played. Eisenberg said the city was also lifting the snow storm parking ban to make it easier on fans planning to attend the game.
Last night there were fewer than 600 seats remaining for the game. The Monarchs have sold out six straight home games against the Baby Bruins dating back to last season.
“This is hockey weather,” said Monarchs publicist Mike Kalinowski.
Game on.
LEHOUX-VILLE: Yanick Lehoux skated in his 100th pro game Wednesday. The 21-year-old has 22 goals and 32 assists. Lehoux has points in six of his last seven games.
HOT SHOT: Defenseman Bryan Muir has already matched his AHL totals of a year ago. In 24 games he has 6 goals, 15 assists and 21 points. Last year, in 36 games with the Hershey Bears, he had 21 points. Muir has 179 career NHL games, including 32 last season with the Colorado Avalanche. Muir leads all AHL defensemen in scoring.
PARROS POWER: George Parros has three points in his last two games. In his first 26 games as a pro he had only two assists.
BARNEY’S BARN: Barney is tied for first in the AHL with a plus-11 rating. His 13 goals is second in the AHL to Bridgeport’s Jeff Hamilton. Barney’s six power play goals ranks third in the AHL.
HELPERS: Right wing Pavel Rosa and defenseman Tomas Zizka are both tied for fourth on the Monarchs all-time assist list with 54. Joe Corvo is third with 55, Eric Healey is second with 65, Steve Kelly leads with 79.
12/6/03 Third-period goals spur Monarchs to win
Union Leader SportsMANCHESTER – Veteran defenseman Bryan Muir and rookie Noah Clarke scored goals 1:15 apart early in the third period powering the Manchester Monarchs to a 4-2 victory over their arch-rival, the Lowell Lock Monsters last night before 8,611.
Manchester (13-9-1-2, 29 pts.), unbeaten in regulation in 10 games in the Verizon Wireless Arena, remains atop the Atlantic Division since co-leader Hartford also won last night. The Monarchs host the third-place Providence Bruins tonight at 7:35 p.m.
Lowell (10-8-2-1, 23) lost in regulation for the first time in five games.
Monarchs goalie Milan Hnilicka (3-5) made 26 saves, while Calgary Flames prospect Danny Sabourin (3-2) stopped 29 shots in the Lowell net.
Clarke, a Colorado College product, figured in on every goal. Muir struck for the game winner with a big on-ice blast from the left point 2:25 into the third period. Clarke added the insurance tally, his ninth goal of the season, at 3:40 of the third.
To knot the game 2-2, Manchester’s George Parros and AHL scoring leader Pavel Rosa sandwiched a pair of goals in the second period around apower play goal by Lowell’s Josh Green.
Brad Fast gave the Lock Monsters a 1-0 lead in the first period converting Chad Larose’s centering pass in tight on the power play at 9:36.
12/5/03 The Monarchs Won Again over LOWell ! 4 - 2
click here for Recap of the Lowell Game
12/05/03 Bruins, Monsters to visit Verizon
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union LeaderSEEKING TO command first place for the first time this season, the Monarchs play a pair of home games this weekend. Manchester shares the top spot in the AHL’s Atlantic Division with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Tonight, the Monarchs host their archrivals, the Lowell Lock Monsters, while tomorrow, the Providence Bruins are expected to pack the Verizon Wireless Arena. Both games are at 7:35 p.m.
The Monarchs have not lost in regulation at home in a league-best nine straight games. Coaches and players say that streak is the result of the team’s attention to detail. Quite simply, victories are coming from doing all the little things right.
“Every night we put our skates on, we’ve got to come out 19 guys willing to work with each other, with a belief in one another,” said Monarchs assistant coach Jim Hughes. “And we need to prove that we are better than the other 19 guys down the hallway. That’s basically the summary,”
Here’s a sampling of the “little things” that added up to a big 4-2 win Wednesday night over the Wolf Pack:
Defenseman Doug Nolan, battling the flu and just back to Manchester after being recalled from Reading of the ECHL, slides across the open Monarchs goal mouth in a wild scramble to block a labeled rip of Hartford’s Layne Ulmer 1:30 before the end of the first period. The period ends with Hartford leading by a lone goal.
Yanick Lehoux creates havoc behind the goal on a power play, draws two defenders and is somehow able to shovel the puck out to ready rookie Tim Gleason. Opportunistic Noah Clarke buries Gleason’s rebound, tying the game, 1-1, just 1:18 into the second period.
Hartford is clearly fixated on Bryan Muir’s reputation as the leading scoring defenseman in the league. What it doesn’t know is this “little thing” — Muir is also one of the most unselfish offensive-minded blueliners in the AHL. Muir, in complete control at the point on the power play, slides middle, and Hartford’s defensive special team unit caves in around the goal. Muir passes to Tomas Zizka. First goal for Zizka. Game tied, 2-2.
Only 2:48 left in the second and Nolan is at it again doing, his best to stall a Wolf Pack 3-on-1. Mission accomplished. Game stays tied, 2-2.
Monarchs goalie Milan Hnilicka, unable to gain any rhythm in a choppy contest, makes the save of the game on a Paul Healey one-timer during a power play with 1:05 left in the second. What is lost in the moment is Dan Welch’s relentless chasing that forced the hurried shot.
Jeff Giuliano scores the game winner midway through the third period, but it was George Parros’ crashing and banging, using his reach to play keep away from the Wolf Pack below the goal line, that eventually sprang Giuliano to glory.
With just over two minutes to play and the Pack pressing for the equalizer, defenseman Joe Rullier’s physical presence in his own end frustrates Wolf Pack forward Cory Larose. Larose high sticks Rullier in the face. The Monarchs go on the power play for the remainder of the game.
With the fiercest of determination, leading scorer Pavel Rosa chases a Muir chip out along the right side boards with 32 seconds to play. He wins the puck. Scott Barney wins free french fries for the more than 7,000 in attendance with a fourth and final goal on an empty net.
“We talked about it throughout the week,” said Hughes. “The importance of special teams. We continue to strive to be an elite penalty-killing team and have a greater competitiveness on the power play. I think that was sort of evident.
“It all comes down to combativeness and battling for loose pucks. Getting some shots, getting some rebounds, and some tip-ins, deflections, and the next thing you know, good things happen,” said Hughes.
MONARCHS MINUTES: Rullier was miraculously uninjured from the Larose high stick that bloodied the big defenseman’s nose . . . Chris Schmidt is eager to return from his broken foot. He could be back by the New Year . . . From the tough decisions department. The Monarchs will be at the three-goalie crossroad very shortly as Mathieu Chouinard returns from the flu. One would assume Adam Hauser or Chouinard will go to Reading . . . Statistics bear out that Barney is the most likely player to net free fries for the fans at home . . . The most scouts ever were in the Big V this past Wednesday, shedding even more light on the Kings and New York Rangers kicking into deal mode. The Kings are supposedly looking for a big, strong top-six scorer . . . When Kings sniper Ziggy Palffy returns to the lineup this week the Monarchs will likely get Jerred Smithson or John Tripp back . . . The Quiet Man, Pavel Rosa, leads the AHL in scoring. Simply amazing that the Kings have not found room up top for their leading Monarchs scorer.
HOT TICKETS: There are single seats in the lower bowl available for tonight’s game, and about 1,500 seats in the balcony. Yesterday, there were fewer than 700 balcony seats left for the Providence Bruins game.
TONIGHT is Ladies Night, with the first 4,000 women receiving a full-color Monarchs player calendar and an entry to win a .75-carat diamond from Bellman’s Jewelers. Tonight’s game will be televised on cable’s CN8 Comcast as part of its “Hockey Night in New England” starting at 7:30.
Tomorrow night, the Monarchs, with the assistance of Proctor Academy, are asking fans to bring an unwrapped toy to the game for the Toys For Tots program.
12/04/03
Monarchs return to first
with win over Wolf Pack
By KEVIN PROVENCHER
Staff Sports Writer Union Leader
MANCHESTER – It took exactly one week for the Manchester Monarchs to claw back into a share of first place in the AHL’s Atlantic Division.
The Monarchs patiently chipped away for three unanswered goals including the first game-winning tally in the young pro career of Nashua’s Jeff Giuliano in a 4-2 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack last night before 7,595 in the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Giuliano’s goal with 7:11 to play was cleanly shot beauty from 20 feet over the short-side shoulder of Wolf Pack goalie Jason LaBarbera (19 saves).
“Unfortunately he put it where I wasn’t,” said LaBarbera (8-2-3) after his first regulation loss of the season. “Usually when guys come out from behind like that they are going to pass it or throw it in front. As soon as (Giuliano) stepped back to shoot it I knew I was screwed.”
The Monarchs (12-9-1-2, 27 pts.) are unbeaten in regulation at home in nine straight games and share first place with Hartford (11-5-4-1, 27 pts.).
“It felt good,” said Giuliano, a second-year pro out of Boston College. “Most goalies go down like that. That’s usually what’s open, but it’s tough to get it up because you’re in so tight. I was out far enough so it was going in. It felt great.”
Manchester’s Scott Barney and Pavel Rosa each extended their point streaks to seven games. Barney capped the contest with an empty net goal off a Rosa feed with 32.2 seconds to play. Monarchs leading scorer Rosa assisted on a pair and took command of the league’s scoring lead from Montreal Canadiens prospect Benoit Gratton.
The Monarchs went 2-for-2 on the power play in the second period (3-for-5 in the game) keeping the score tied for the big third period finish. Monarchs defenseman Tomas Zizka scored his first goal of the season on a screened slapper in the left circle at 8:58 of the second knotting the game at 2-2.
From there Monarchs goalie Milan Hnilicka (25 saves) was superb holding back the pressing Wolf Pack.
“It was kind of like a playoff game. Similar. Low scoring. Not many shots but good chances. It was my best game so far,” said Hnilicka, who was out for four weeks with a groin injury. “I was starting to get into a rhythm finally. Some good luck finally.”
“(Hnilicka) protected the tie,” said Monarchs assistant coach Jim Hughes, who was filling on the bench for Bruce Boudreau. “Stats are good, but there is only one important stat. It’s about wins and losses. Milan found a way to win tonight.”
Wolf Pack leading scorer Jason MacDonald used a no-look backhander at the top of the crease on the power play for his ninth goal of the season giving Hartford a 2-1 lead 4:48 into the second period. The Monarchs evened the game 1-1 only 1:18 into the second period on a power play as rookie Noah Clarke easily put away the short rebound of fellow rookie Tim Gleason’s drive from the point.
Former Maine forward Corey Larose, a fourth-year pro who has played just twice with the Rangers, swept in a look-what-I-found rebound off Hnilicka’s blocker 7:39 into the game for the only goal of the first period.
The Monarchs are home Friday against the Lowell Lock Monsters and Saturday against the Providence Bruins. Both games are at 7:35 p.m.
12/03/03
A father, and true friend
By BRUCE BOUDREAU
Special to The Union Leader 12/03/03
MY FATHER PASSED AWAY on Sunday night.
Norman Boudreau had been diagnosed with cancer last summer, so his death wasn’t completely unexpected. Still, the last time he saw the doctor, he was told that he had three to six months to live. That was three weeks ago.
My father meant everything to me, and when it came to hockey, it didn’t matter when or where. I remember as a 3-year-old playing with my brothers on the ice in the rink that my father had built in our back yard.
Now that I’m quite a bit older, I can really appreciate the sacrifices he and my mother made to make sure that I was able to play the game I loved. I want to make sure I do the same for my kids.
I also appreciate the way my father nurtured me during the early stages of my hockey career. He never yelled at me or threatened me after a game. Instead, he would always ask how I thought I had played. He was a quiet man who shared in my success every step of the way. I wanted him to be proud of me.
The greatest thing about my father was that he was everybody’s best friend. I remember years ago playing for Moncton of the American Hockey League. My father came to visit, and we were supposed to meet after practice. One problem, after practice he was nowhere to be found. Turns out he was in an office having a beer with some building workers after striking up a conversation with them while watching me practice.
Nobody ever had a bad thing to say about Norman Boudreau.
Growing up near Toronto, my father couldn’t have been prouder to see me playing in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform, something I did for parts of seven seasons. Seeing how proud he was while walking through Maple Leaf Gardens before a game — that will always be one of my fondest memories.
I’ll also be forever grateful for the opportunity to see my dad in mid-October for our season-opener. He and my mother went against the advice of his doctor and drove down for the weekend. I think he knew at the time that it would be his last visit to Manchester.
My mother is a strong woman and she’s held up well. We’ve spent the last couple of days preparing for today’s funeral. We’ve also been telling stories and remembering the good times. Still, today will be tough on her. She has lost her partner of 50 years.
My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary last summer.
My wife, Crystal, and I drove to my parents’ home last Friday after our game at Lowell. I admit it was hard to concentrate on the game after receiving the news that morning that my father’s condition had worsened. The doctor said that it could be just a few hours before he passed.
We arrived in Toronto early Saturday morning and went to visit my father at the hospital just a few hours later. He was non-responsive and very weak. Still, I believe he could hear me. I was able to say a lot to my dad before he passed, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
I’ve tried to keep contact with the team over the last couple of days. I was happy to learn about Saturday’s big win over the Providence Bruins, especially after Assistant Coach Jim Hughes informed me that the guys had been talking about winning one for my dad earlier in the day.
My dad would’ve been happy to hear that as well.
Bruce Boudreau is head coach of the Manchester Monarchs.
Our Deepest Sympathies go out to Coach Bruce
Boudreau & his family
I think it would be real nice and
greatly appreciated if all the ' Monarchs Fans "family" ' dropped off a
sympathy card for the Boudreau's by leaving it at the Monarchs staff table
behind section 105. I'm sure they will see that the Coach receives them!
...... Joe Z.
12/02/03 Good Article on Steve Kelly from The Hockey News Magazine .....
12/01/03 IceCats cash in on Monarchs chances
WORCESTER, Mass. — The Manchester Monarchs spotted the opposition a three-goal lead, and then nearly came all the way back to tie before losing to the Worcester IceCats, 5-3, before a crowd of 3,133 fans at the Centrum Centre yesterday afternoon.
The loss was the third in four games for the Monarchs (11-9-1-2, 25 points), which also dropped its third straight road game. The IceCats (10-8-5-0, 25 points) win was its third straight, tying the Monarchs for second place in the Atlantic Division. The loss also dropped the Monarchs record to 0-2-1-0 in three head-to-head match-ups with the IceCats this season.
The Monarchs outshot the IceCats 14-6 in the third period, but were unable to net the equalizer. Goaltender Reinhard Divis preserved the win with 13 third-period saves, including a point blank stop on George Parros’ backhander through the slot with 5:45 left to play. Right wing Pavel Rosa also had a chance to tie the game, but Divis snared his wrister from the left circle with 3:20 remaining on the clock.
The Monarchs pulled goaltender Milan Hnilicka with one minute remaining and spent most of the final 60 seconds in the IceCats zone. But instead of tying the game, the Monarchs allowed an empty net tally from center Blake Evans with one second left in regulation.
It took the IceCats just 5:22 to score their first goal, much to the delight of the hundreds of fans who came to the game with a stuffed animal for the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss. The stuffed animals were collected and donated to area charities.
Defenseman Terry Virtue received credit for the goal after Hnilicka was unable to handle his slap shot from the right circle. Left wing Sergei Varlamov, who had one goal and two assists in the IceCats overtime win over the Portland Pirates Saturday, collected the only assist on the play.
Right wing Dan Welch tied the game with an excellent wrap-around goal against Divis at 10:53 of the period. Left wing Ryan Flinn assisted as Welch, a second year pro, scored his sixth of the season. He had three goals in 42 games during his rookie season with the Monarchs.
Rookie Danny Eberly made the most of his AHL debut with the IceCats, scoring his first professional goal from the left point with just 2:14 remaining in the period. Evans assisted on the tally from Eberly, who played at R.P.I. and began the season with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL. Eberly’s shot found a home in the Monarchs net after it appeared to deflect off Monarchs defenseman Tomas Zizka.
Peter Sejna, the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner who signed a free agent deal with the St. Louis Blues last April, extended the IceCats lead to 3-1 by scoring off his own rebound 5:13 into the middle period. Center Johnny Pohl created the scoring chance with an excellent pass along the far boards to speedy forward Jeff Panzer. Panzer secured Pohl’s offering, charged into the Monarchs zone, and centered for Sejna, who was waiting at the left post.
Center Steve Martins pushed the IceCats lead to three goals when he jammed home a rebound for a power play goal at 13:54 of the period. Left wing Scott Pellerin and defenseman Jon Coleman assisted.
Left wing Scott Barney halted the string of Worcester goals with his team-leading 12th at 14:28. Barney scored while being pushed down and away from the net by a Worcester defenseman. Despite the contact, Barney, who extended his scoring streak to a season high six games, had just enough reach on his stick to poke the puck by the goal line. Center Yanick Lehoux and rookie defenseman Tim Gleason collected assists on the play, with Gleason triggering the goal with his drive from the left point.
Pavel Rosa cut the deficit to one-goal by hammering Flinn’s offering past Divis at 5:32 into the third period. Rosa’s ninth goal followed solid scoring opportunities from himself, Clarke and defenseman Joe Rullier in the opening minutes of the period.
The Monarchs return to the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. to host the Hartford Wolf Pack. Wednesday’s game marks the first of four straight for the Monarchs in Manchester.
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