AHL Manchester Monarchs

Brown Nets OT Game Winner

April 2, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – Left wing Dustin Brown collected the game-winning power play goal in overtime as the Manchester Monarchs edged the Springfield Falcons, 3-2, before the 15th sellout crowd (9,916) of the season at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday night.

Right wing Tom Kostopoulos (0-2=2) and center Michael Cammalleri (0-2=2) collected assists on Brown's 28th goal of the season, scored on a rebound in front of the Falcons net 47 seconds into the extra session. Brown went short-side with the game winner a split second after Falcons goaltender Brian Eklund (37 shots, 34 saves) rejected Kostopoulos' short-range wrister.

With the win, the Monarchs (46-18-4-4, 100 points) inched closer to clinching home ice advantage in the Calder Cup playoffs and their first-ever divisional championship. With eight games remaining on the schedule, they lead the second place Hartford Wolf Pack (45-21-3-3, 96 points) by four points in the race for the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division title.

The Monarchs wasted no time and took control of the game early. Seconds after a Falcons roughing penalty, right wing Brad Smyth swept home a short rebound to give the Monarchs a power play goal and a 1-0 lead at 1:43 of the opening period. Kostopoulos and Brown (1-2=3) shared assists on Smyth's second goal in two games and 19 th goal overall.

The Monarchs added to their lead later in the period when Cammalleri set up defenseman Tim Gleason for a one-timer in front. Gleason took the feed and ripped his seventh goal of the season over the shoulder of Eklund at 9:07. Brown earned his second assist of the period on the play.

The Falcons made it a 2-1 game with a goal from defenseman Gerard Dicaire, collected from the left circle at 19:01. Right wing Evgeni Artukhin and center Jason Jaspers assisted on Dicaire's third of the season. The shot appeared to deflect off of a defender in front of the net before sliding past Monarchs goaltender Adam Hauser (23 shots, 21 saves).

After a scoreless middle period, the Falcons took advantage of a Hauser miscue and tied the game at 2-2. Hauser attempted to clear the puck up the left boards but left wing Derek Bekar anticipated the play, stole the puck and deposited it into the vacated Monarchs net 1:02 into the third period. Center Nick Tarnasky and defenseman Paul Ranger each assisted on Bekar's fifth of the season.

The Monarchs had a chance to take back the lead later in the period when center Matt Ryan was awarded a penalty shot, but Eklund stopped his five-hole bid.

Hauser (18-10-0) bounced back from his third period gaffe and earned his 18th win of the season. Eklund took the loss. His record dropped to 11-20-0.

The Monarchs have beaten the Falcons in all nine meetings this season (9-0-0-0). The 10th and final regular season meeting between the teams is scheduled for April 9 in Springfield.

The Monarchs get back at it on Sunday night when they travel to the Dunkin' Donuts Center for a 4:05 p.m. contest with the Providence Bruins. After that, they'll return home for a Wednesday night match with the Portland Pirates at 7:05 p.m.

Ticket Availability: Single seats in the Gold level and 500 seats in the Silver level remain for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Monarchs tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office. Individual tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (603) 868-7300, or by visiting Ticketmaster on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.



American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2005


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