AHL Manchester Monarchs

Bernier, Cliche Stripped Of Homecoming Crowns

March 21, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


LEWISTON, ME - Right wing Mark Mancari spoiled goaltender Jonathan Bernier and center Marc-Andre Cliche's homecoming as the Manchester Monarchs fell to the Portland Pirates, 2-1, at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee, home of the Lewiston MAINEiacs, on Sunday evening.

Manchester (35-26-3-6) dropped to fourth place in the Atlantic Division with 79 points. Portland (39-22-6-4) is ranked second in the Atlantic Division with 88 points.

"At this stage, mental toughness is essential if you're going to move on," said Monarchs Head Coach Mark Morris. "Some undisciplined play was a big factor in the outcome of the game. Other than tat, we fought hard and had some golden opportunities. We missed a wide open net that would have tied the game. We had plenty of chances but goals were hard to come by. Our effort was there but our mental toughness was not."

Mancari picks up his second goal of the game, 25th tally of the season at 10:44 of the third period to give the Pirates a 2-0 advantage. Monarchs right wing Kevin Westgarth was sent to the penalty box for a total of six minutes, two minutes for slashing and four minutes for high sticking. Skating with the man advantage, the Pirates began peppering Bernier with shots when Mancari finished it off with a one-timer from the slot that beat the netminder on his blocker side. Center Cody McCormick and center Nathan Gerbe assisted on the game-winning power play goal.

With Monarchs defenseman Patrick Mullen in the penalty box for interference and defenseman Joe Piskula off for a delay of game penalty, the Pirates capitalized on their two-man advantage with Mancari's 24th goal of the season at 9:31 of the second period. After several failed shots, defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani found Mancari at the center point. The right wing blasted a slap shot through traffic that beat Bernier and rang off the back post of the net. Gerbe assisted on the opening goal.

Center Oscar Moller scored his 10th goal of the season with 6.5 seconds remaining in the game to deny Pirates goaltender Todd Ford of the shutout. Skating on the power play and with Bernier pulled for the extra attacker, the Monarchs threw everything they could at Ford with Moller coming away with the tally. Defenseman Alec Martinez and center Gabe Gauthier earned assists on the lone Monarchs goal.

Bernier (26-20-6) took the loss with 19 saves on 21 shots. Ford (4-5-1) earned his fifth win of the season stopping 36-of-37 shtos.

Manchester went 1-for-4 on the power play. Portland was 2-for-6 with the man advantage

NOTABLES: Monarchs goaltender Jonathan Bernier and center Marc-Andre Cliche played junior hockey for the Lewiston MAINEiacs at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, ME...The Monarchs outshot their opponent for only the seventh time this season on the road...Monarchs center Oscar Moller scored his first goal since returning from Los Angeles on March 5, 2010...The Monarchs have lost six consecutive games to the Pirates this season.

The Monarchs return to action on Wednesday, March 24 with a 7:00 p.m. face-off with the Lowell Devils at the Tsongas Center. Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network WGAM 900/1250 AM and at www.manchestermonarchs.com.



American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2010


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