AHL Manchester Monarchs

Hauser Stellar In Relief As The Monarchs Beat The Bruins

Published on February 20, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


PROVIDENCE, RI – Goaltender Adam Hauser turned aside all 19 of the shots he faced in relief as the Manchester Monarchs slipped by the Providence Bruins, 3-1, on Friday night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Defenseman Troy Milam, center Jerred Smithson and left wing Noah Clarke added goals for the Monarchs, who beat the Bruins for the fifth time this season (5-3-0-0), disappointing the majority of the 9,810 fans that witnessed the game.

With the win, the Monarchs (27-21-4-3, 61 points) moved into sole possession of second place in the Atlantic Division and extended their winning streak to two games. The loss was the second straight for the Bruins (23-19-10-2, 58 points), who remain in fifth place in the division.

Left wing Ivan Huml's team-leading 14th goal gave the Bruins the 1-0 lead through one period. Huml cashed in with his backhander through the slot at 6:19. Defenseman Kevin Dallman had the only assist on the goal, the fifth of the season for Huml against the Monarchs.

The Bruins nearly opened a two-goal lead later in the period, but goaltender Milan Hnilicka bailed out Clarke, who had his pocket picked by center Matt Herr near center ice. Hnilicka snuffed out Herr's close range wrist shot with a pad save with 3:40 remaining in the period.

Hnilicka, appearing in just his 12th AHL game after suffering through a myriad of injuries this season, saw his night end prematurely about two minutes later when left wing Darren VanOene barreled into him near the crease. Following the contact, Hnilicka was slow to get up. He later was helped off the ice by Monarchs' athletic trainer Chris Kingsley and did not return.

Hnilicka left the game with six saves on seven shots.

Defenseman Bryan Muir was whistled for roughing on the play, so Hauser entered the game cold with just 1:23 remaining in the period. He faced two quick shots on the ensuing power play, including a slicing backhander from center Andre Savage, but did not yield a goal.

Milam and Smithson each struck for goals in the middle period as the Monarchs took a 2-1 lead. Milam, appearing in just his second game after signing a tryout agreement with the Monarchs on Tuesday, tied the contest with his first career AHL goal, scored short-handed at 9:31. The rookie from Ferris State University pounced on a loose puck left by goaltender Tim Thomas, who moments before had been handcuffed by left wing Jeff Giuliano's drive from the right circle.

The Monarchs took the lead when Smithson's seeing-eye shot from just outside of the crease beat Thomas at 13:41 of the period. The goal was just the fourth on the power play for the Monarchs in eight head-to-head meetings with the Bruins this season. Muir and center Yanick Lehoux assisted on Smithson's fourth of the year.

The Monarchs iced the game with a second power play goal, scored by Clarke with just 5:19 remaining in the third. The rookie from Colorado College took Lehoux's cross-ice pass and lifted it over the blocker of Thomas. The Monarchs were enjoying a five-on-three man advantage at the time. Lehoux and right wing Pavel Rosa, assigned to the Monarchs by the Los Angeles Kings earlier in the day, assisted on Clarke's 18th. With the goal, Clarke extended his scoring streak to five games (4-3=7).

Hauser (12-11-4) nailed down his 12th victory with 10 third period saves. Five of his 12 wins have come against the Bruins this season.

Thomas (12-9-5), who had given up two or less goals to the opposition in nine straight games, saw his streak come to an end against the Monarchs. He finished with 30 saves.

The Monarchs wrap up their season-long six game road swing through New England when they meet the Portland Pirates at 7:05 at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Saturday, February 21. The Monarchs open a four-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena against the Binghamton Senators on Monday, February 23.

NOTES: The Los Angeles Kings, the NHL affiliate of the Monarchs, on Friday assigned right wing Pavel Rosa to Manchester and recalled center Michael Cammalleri and goaltender Mathieu Chouinard. The Kings on Friday also placed goaltender Roman Cechmanek on the injured reserve (retroactive to February 19) with a groin strain.

Monarchs Ticket Availability as of February 20, 2004

Mon., Feb. 23 vs. Binghamton: 2,700 seats remain.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2004


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