AHL Manchester Monarchs

Hutton Fin-ishes Off The Monarchs

Published on February 4, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


WORCESTER, MA - Center Steven Zalewski and right wing Jonathan Cheechoo scored in the shootout, as the Worcester Sharks collected a 4-3 shootout victory over the Manchester Monarchs at the DCU Center Friday evening.

Manchester (30-16-1-4, 65 points) drew their fourth shootout loss of the season, gaining one point in the process, and remains in first place in the Atlantic Division with 65 points. Worcester (23-18-2-6, 54 points) collected their 23rd victory of the season, placing the Sharks third in the Atlantic Division with 54 points.

"Tonight we played fairly well," explained Monarchs Head Coach Mark Morris following Friday night's defeat. "We had some excellent goal scoring opportunities. Worcester played hard too and it was a hard fought game."

"In the end, they scored more than we did in the shootout. Both Stalock and Hutton were the difference makers," said Morris. Offensively, they had some puck luck. Our defensive mistakes were costly ones. One bounce could have given us two points, but it didn't work out that way. We'll correct our mistakes and move forward. The effort was there."

In addition to Zalewski and Cheechoo's shootout goals, right wing Brandon Kozun was the lone Monarchs player to record a goal in the shootout, beating goaltender Carter Hutton to lead off the shootout.

Center Andrew Desjardins scored his eighth goal of the season on the power play at 8:08 of the first period, giving Worcester the early 1-0 advantage. Cheechoo skated with the puck along the left side boards and passed the puck up to the point where defenseman Justin Braun was positioned. A powerful blast down the slot was redirected by Desjardins at the top of the goal crease, giving Worcester the early 1-0 lead.

Defenseman Viatcheslav Voynov scored his 12th goal of the season with 45 seconds remaining in the first period to knot the score at one. Following an offensive zone faceoff win by center Marc-Andre Cliche, defenseman Andrew Campbell collected the puck at the left point. A quick dish to his right caught the stick of Voynov, who took two strides in before unleashing a powerful blast that beat goaltender Alex Stalock, tying the game at one with only a second remaining on the PSNH Power Play.

Forward Tommy Wingels scored his ninth goal of the season to give Worcester the 2-1 lead 2:50 into the second period. Zalewski fired a shot on goal from the right wing circle that was denied by Monarchs goaltender Martin Jones. The rebound spilled out onto the stick of Mashinter, who was positioned alongside the right post. With heavy crease traffic, Mashinter was able to force the puck across the crease to Wingels, who was unopposed at the left post. Wingels tapped the puck into the empty net, giving Worcester the lead back shortly into the second period.

Left wing Dwight King scored his 13th goal of the season at 12:45 of the second period. Entering the zone on a rush, defenseman David Kolomatis dumped the puck behind the net of Stalock. King skated behind the net to collect the puck, and immediately sent the puck out into the slot. Azevedo skated in toward the crease and backhanded a puck on net that was kicked aside by Stalock. King crashed the crease near the right post, flipping the puck over the left leg of Stalock, tying the game at two apiece.

Right wing John Zeiler scored his third goal of the season at 7:58 of the third period. With play firmly entrenched in the Monarchs offensive zone, the puck was sent back to the left point where center Jordan Nolan was positioned. A powerful blast on net was knocked down in front by Stalock. Zeiler, not giving up on the play, was able to sneak the puck away from Stalock's reach and roof the puck, giving the Monarchs their first lead of the game. Defenseman Patrick Mullen also recorded an assist on Zeiler's go-ahead goal.

Zalewski scored his fourth goal of the season at 12:08 of the third period, giving Worcester the 4-3 advantage in the third period. Wingels carried the puck deep in the left wing corner, winning a puck battle against a Monarchs defender. Wingels sent a short pass to left wing Brandon Mashinter, who skated near the trapezoid. A quick pass into the left faceoff circle connected with Zalewski, who wristed the puck past Jones for another game-tying goal.

Jones (17-5-1) collects only his first shootout loss of the season, stopping 33-of-36 shots in regulation and 3-of-5 shots on goal in the shootout. Stalock (19-17-4) skated in the first 56 minutes of the contest, but yielded to Hutton (4-3-2) following an injury. Stalock halted 28-of-31 shots on goal in regulation, while Hutton stopped all three shots on goal he faced in regulation and in overtime. Hutton denied 4-of-5 Monarchs shooters in the shootout.

Manchester went 2-for-3 on the power play. Worcester went 1-for-2 with the man advantage.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central