Hnilicka\'s Strong Play Keys Monarchs Victory
Published on December 3, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH â The Manchester Monarchs gained a share of first place in the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division with their 4-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena. A crowd of 7,595 fans escaped the New England cold and watched as the Monarchs twice came back from one-goal deficits before icing the game in the third period.
The win extended the Monarchs (12-9-1-2, 27 points) franchise record unbeaten streak at home to nine games (8-0-0-1). The loss was the second in three games for the Wolf Pack (11-5-4-1, 27 points). The Monarchs are 2-2-0-0 against the Wolf Pack this season.
Helped by goaltender Milan Hnilicka's best effort of the season, the Monarchs came on strong after a slow start. Hnilicka, who helped the Wolf Pack win the 2000 Calder Cup, finished with 25 saves and his second straight win on home ice.
Hnilicka repelled all 11 of the shots he faced in the third period, allowing Monarchs left wing Jeff Giuliano to net the game-winning goal with 7:11 remaining in the game. Right wing George Parros and defenseman Tomas Zizka assisted on Giuliano's third of the season, scored when he lifted his shot over the shoulder of goaltender Jason LaBarbera from close range.
The Wolf Pack, already down a man after center Cory Larose was assessed a major for high-sticking Monarchs defenseman Joe Rullier, pulled LaBarbera for an extra attacker with just over a minute remaining. Defenseman Bryan Muir, however, was able to clear the Monarchs zone quickly. He pinched the puck up the boards to right wing Pavel Rosa at center ice. Rosa next dished to left wing Scott Barney, who scored his team-leading 13th goal into the empty net.
Hartford had a 10-4 shots on goal advantage and a 1-0 lead after one period. Hnilicka stopped everything the Wolf Pack through at him in the period with one exception --- Larose's fourth goal of the season at 7:39.
Larose, a former University of Maine Black Bear, pumped home his own rebound with a mid-air swat through the crease after left wing Chad Wiseman set him up in the right circle. Center Ken Gernander also assisted on the play.
Wiseman was sitting in the penalty box with a tripping penalty when the Monarchs tied the game on a second period power play at 1:18. Center Yanick Lehoux worked the puck to the point where rookie blue-liner Tim Gleason blasted a one-timer toward LaBarbera. LaBarbera fought off Gleason's attempt, but was unable to stop rookie left wing Noah Clarke's slicing wrister into the left corner of the net. Clarke's goal was his eighth of the season.
The Wolf Pack regained the lead later in the period with its own power play goal at 4:48. Jason MacDonald's team-leading ninth goal looked a lot like Clarke's earlier tally as the veteran right wing jammed a rebound past Hnilicka after defenseman Lawrence Nycholat's drive from the point. Larose also earned an assist on the play.
Zizka's first goal of the season tied the game at 2-2. Zizka, whose violent crash into the end boards earlier in the period put Wiseman in the penalty box, fired a laser from the left circle over the blocker of LaBarbera at 8:58. Muir and Rosa assisted on the Monarchs second power play tally of the period.
The Monarchs return to the friendly confines of the Verizon Wireless Arena when they host the Lowell Lock Monsters at 7:35 p.m. on Friday, December 5. Friday night is Ladies Night with the Monarchs. The first 4,000 women at the game will receive a free full color Monarchs player calendar, and the first 4,000 ladies 18 and over will also be eligible to win a .75-carat diamond from Bellman's Jewelers. The Monarchs will also welcome the Providence Bruins to the Verizon Wireless Arena at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, and the Utah Grizzlies at 7:35 p.m. on Friday, December 12.
Fri., Dec. 5 vs. Lowell: Gold Level: Single seats. Silver Level: 1,500 seats.
Sat., Dec. 6 vs. Providence: Gold Level. Sold Out. Silver Level: 700 seats.
American Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2003
- Big Players Change Hands in Trade - OSC Original by Wolves Press Release
- Grizzlies Snap Home Losing Skid With 3-1 Victory Over Houston - Utah Grizzlies
- Utah stretches Aeros winless streak to eight - Houston Aeros
- Fractured Wrist Sidelines Grebeshkov - Manchester Monarchs
- Hnilicka's Strong Play Keys Monarchs Victory - Manchester Monarchs
- Phantoms win 4-1 at Hershey - Adirondack Phantoms
- Maple Leafs Make Roster Moves - Toronto Marlies
- Admirals to Honor Berry and McNeill - Milwaukee Admirals
- Bears and Phantoms in Big East Division Battle Tonight - Hershey Bears
- Santala is Coming to Town - Chicago Wolves
- Steve Gainey Re-Assigned From Dallas - Utah Grizzlies
- Sound Tigers Team Shop Expands For Holidays - Bridgeport Islanders
- Crunch Announce All Sports Collectors Gallery, Inc. As Official Retail Outlet - Syracuse Crunch
- Crunch To Sign Autographs At Kinney Drugs - Syracuse Crunch
- Aeros offering several holiday ticket specials - Houston Aeros
- Svitov returns to Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Aquino Returns to Chicago - Chicago Wolves
- Red Wings Recall Nate Robinson - Grand Rapids Griffins
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Stars Suspend Berenzweig - Utah Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Meet Houston Tonight at the 'E' Center - Utah Grizzlies
- Griffins Enlist Their Better Halves - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Aeros Game Day - Houston Aeros
- Griffins and Wings Swap Forwards - Grand Rapids Griffins
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