Monarchs defeat IceCaps for first time this season
Published on March 17, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
ST. JOHN'S, NF - Forward Brian O'Neill's debut was a memorable one as he tallied his first professional goal that proved to be the game-winning tally as the Manchester Monarchs defeated the St. John's IceCaps, 3-1, at the Mile One Centre on Saturday night.
Manchester (32-29-0-3) is in second place in the Atlantic Division with 67 points. St. John's (38-17-5-2) is ranked first in the Atlantic Division with 83 points.
"Tonight was an important win for us against the top team in our division," said Monarchs Head Coach Mark Morris. "Martin Jones was solid for us when St. John's pressed hard to swing the momentum in their favor. Our first period was as complete as we've played all season long. St. John's had the territorial edge in period two. The guys buckled down in the third and were able to come away with a win. Brian O'Neill played very well in his first professional game offensively and defensively. He scored the game-winning goal, not a bad start. David Meckler looked himself; he adds depth and experience. Overall, it was a great game and a big one for our confidence."
O'Neill gave the Monarchs a 2-1 lead just 42 seconds into the third period. Center Andrei Loktionov released a shot from the right wing face-off circle producing a rebound in front of the net. Center Marc-Andre Cliche tipped the loose puck directly behind him to O'Neill who flipped a backhander into the open net for his first professional goal.
The Monarchs opened the scoring with right wing David Meckler's seventh goal of the season at 11:48 of the first period. Left wing Richard Clune grabbed a loose puck in the neutral zone and went into the IceCaps zone down the left wing. Meckler joined the attack with Clune creating a two-on-one opportunity. Clune skated in on the net before finding Meckler on the right doorstep of IceCaps goaltender Eddie Pasquale. Meckler redirected Clune's pass into the back of the net for the 1-0 advantage.
The IceCaps tied the game at 1-1 with a goal by right wing Kevin Clark at 12:47 of the second period. Center Ben Maxwell grabbed a loose puck following a face-off in the left wing circle in the Monarchs zone before feeding Clark in the high slot. Clark skated with the puck to the bottom of the right wing circle before wristing a shot midway up the far side of Monarchs netminder Martin Jones. Clark's 11th strike of the season was also assisted by left wing Jason Gregoire.
Right wig Trent Hunter finished off the scoring with an empty net goal at 18:39 of the final frame. Right wing Stefan Legein tracked down a loose puck in the Monarchs zone and fed Hunter along Manchester's blueline. Hunter wristed a shot on the open cage from center ice for his third goal of the season.
Jones (15-15-2) earned his 15th victory of the season stopping 25-of-26 shots. Pasquale (20-9-0) took his ninth loss of the season making 29 saves on 31 shots.
Manchester went 0-for-2 on the power play. St. John's was also 0-for-2 with the man advantage.
Notables: The Monarchs are 1-5-0-0 against the IceCaps this season...Monarchs forward Brian O'Neill scored his first professional goal and point in his professional debut after playing four seasons at Yale University...Monarchs right wing David Meckler returned to the line-up for the first time since December 18.
The Monarchs will finish off their two-game set with the IceCaps at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 at the Mile One Centre. Catch all the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network, WGIR 610 AM, WTPL 107.7 FM The Pulse, WGIR.com and at www.manchestermonarchs.com, presented by Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
American Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2012
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