AHL Manchester Monarchs

Hartford Sneaks Past Monarchs In Season Opener

October 8, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


HARTFORD, CT - A late third period power play goal by center Jarkko Immonen spelled defeat as the Hartford Wolf Pack topped the Manchester Monarchs, 4-3, in their 2005-06 American Hockey League season opener in front of a crowd of 7,823 at the Hartford Civic Center on Saturday night. Immonen tipped in a slap shot by former Monarchs defenseman Joe Rullier with less than a minute to play in the third period to give the Wolf Pack their only lead of the game. Center Alexandre Giroux also assisted on Immonen's power play goal at 19:08 as Monarchs right wing Brad Smyth served the bench minor for too many men on the ice.

Monarchs defenseman Marty Wilford put the Monarchs on the scoreboard with a power play goal at 6:59 of the first period. With Hartford defenseman Martin Grenier in the box with two minutes for interference and two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct, left wing Noah Clarke slid the puck to Wilford at the point, who then rifled a shot through two screens and past Wolf Pack goaltender Al Montoya. Right wing Lauri Tukonen also assisted on Wilford's first of the year.

The Monarchs doubled their lead six minutes later as center Connor James stepped out of the penalty box, stole the puck in the neutral zone and scored an unassisted break away goal at 11:58 of the first period.

With James in the box for interference at 14:23 of the first, Immonen shoveled in the rebound of left wing Fedor Fedorov's shot from the slot past Monarchs goaltender Adam Hauser. Defenseman Jake Taylor also assisted on Immonen's first of the year.

James scored his second of the evening to give the Monarchs a 3-1 lead at 18:41 of the second period. Left wing Jeff Giuliano passed the puck over to James who poked it past Montoya at the far post. Rookie defenseman Joey Mormina assisted on James' second goal of the night.

Wolf Pack right wing Craig Weller scored off his own rebound just 20-seconds later at 19:01 to keep his team within one goal. Grenier and center Bruce Graham assisted on Weller's first of the season.

Defenseman Ivan Baranka put the puck top-shelf past Hauser at 6:18 of the third period to tie the game 3-3. Federov and Graham were credited with assists on the play.

Hauser made 33 saves on Hartford's 37 shots. Montoya earned his first professional win by stopping 22 of the Monarchs 25 shots. The Monarchs went 1-for-7 on the power play, while Hartford was 3-for-9.

The Springfield Falcons come to the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday, October 15 at 7:35 p.m. for the Monarchs home opener. Every fan attending Saturday's game will receive a rally flag sponsored by Pepsi.

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

Fans in need of tickets for Saturday's game may purchase them in person at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office, at any TicketMaster location, by phone at (603) 868-7300 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. The box office opens at 10:00 a.m.

Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey this season with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network (WGIR-AM 610, Manchester; WGIN-AM 930, Rochester; WGIP-AM 1540, Exeter; WTSL-AM 1400, Lebanon) and at www.monarchshockey.com.



American Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2005


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