AHL Manchester Monarchs

Game One Goes To The IceCats

Published on April 15, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – Two goals in less than four minutes of play and then tight, defensive hockey the rest of the way. That was the formula used by the Worcester IceCats, who held off the Manchester Monarchs, 2-1, in Game 1 of a best-of-seven Atlantic Division Semifinal Series before 4,233 at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Thursday night. Game 2 of the series is slated for 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Right wing Ernie Hartlieb's goal 3:45 into the opening period gave the IceCats the 2-1 lead. Goaltender Jake Moreland preserved that lead with 17 saves, allowing no goals in 40 minutes of relief work after starter Curtis Sanford (10 saves) was injured in the opening period.

The Monarchs threatened to tie the game late in the third period with an extra attacker, but Moreland stopped close range shots from right wing Pavel Rosa and center Michael Cammalleri in the final minute.

An early penalty led to the first IceCats goal, scored by center Blake Evans just 32 seconds in, and just five seconds after defenseman Bryan Muir was whistled for interference. Defenseman Jame Pollock had the only assist on the power play goal, Evans' first of the playoffs.

The Monarchs tied the game 1:08 later when left wing Noah Clarke redirected Rosa's quick wrist shot past Sanford. Cammalleri also collected an assist on Clarke's first of the playoffs.

A nice give-and-go play between rookie center Jay McClement and Hartlieb led to the game-winner just over two minutes later. McClement cycled out of the corner and slipped the puck to Hartlieb in the slot. Hartlieb collected the pass and wired his shot by Hnilicka.

After the slow start, the Monarchs regained their footing in the later stages of the period. A good portion of their 11 shots in the frame occurred late, including defenseman Tomas Zizka's heavy slap shot that appeared to drill Sanford in the mask. Sanford, who was shaken up on the play, left the game at the end of the period.

Worcester outshot Manchester 14-9 in the scoreless middle period. The Monarchs held the slight 8-6 shots on goal edge in the scoreless final period.

Moreland, who had nine saves in the middle period and eight more in the final stanza, earned his first career win in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Hnilicka, who finished with 27 stops, took the loss.

The IceCats finished 1-for-4 on the power play. The Monarchs were 0-for-3.

The Playoff Picture: The Monarchs host Game 2 of their best-of-seven Atlantic Division Semifinal Series with the IceCats on Saturday, April 17, before traveling to the Worcester Centrum Centre for Game 3 (Sunday, April 18, 5:05 p.m.) and Game 4 (Tuesday, April 20, 7:05 p.m.) of the series. If necessary, Game 5 of the series will be played at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Thursday, April 22 at 7:05 p.m., Game 6 of the series will be played at the Centrum Centre on Saturday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m., and Game 7 of the series will be played at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Sunday, April 25 at 4:05 p.m.

Monarchs Calder Cup Division Semifinal Schedule: Manchester (#2 seed) vs. Worcester (#3 seed)

Worcester leads the series 1 game to 0

Game 1: Worcester 2, Manchester 1 (Verizon Wireless Arena)

Game 2: Saturday, April 17, 7:35 p.m. (Verizon Wireless Arena)

Game 3: Sunday April 18, 5:05 p.m. (Worcester Centrum Centre)

Game 4: Tuesday, April 20, 7:05 p.m. (Worcester Centrum Centre)

Game 5: Thursday, April 22, 7:05 p.m. (Verizon Wireless Arena – If Necessary)

Game 6: Saturday, April 24, 7:05 p.m. (Worcester Centrum Centre – If Necessary)

Game 7: Sunday, April 25, 4:05 p.m. (Verizon Wireless Arena – If Necessary)

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American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2004


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