AHL Manchester Monarchs

IceCats Edge Monarchs In Calder Cup Playoff Preview

April 11, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – For the first time all season, the Manchester Monarchs lost a game where they led going into the third period. The Worcester IceCats, on the strength of third period goals from forwards Brendan Brooks and Greg Black, edged the Monarchs, 3-2, before a crowd of 8,715 on Sunday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The Monarchs (40-28-7-5, 92 points), second place finishers in the Atlantic Division, entered Sunday's action 25-0-2-2 when leading after two periods this season. They also entered Sunday's contest with a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2-0) against the IceCats (37-27-13-3, 90 points), third place finishers in the division.

The Monarchs and the IceCats will open a best-of-seven Calder Cup Division Semifinal at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, April 15 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The teams traded first period goals with the IceCats using the power play to take the early lead. Rookie left wing Peter Sejna's one-timer from the right circle slipped by goaltender Milan Hnilicka at 11:11. Defensemen Jame Pollock and Trevor Byrne triggered Sejna's 12th goal of the season.

Right wing Pavel Rosa, the 2003-04 AHL Scoring Champion, tied the game 4:25 later by scooping center Michael Cammalleri's slot pass over goaltender Curtis Sanford and into the Worcester net. Rookie left wing Petr Kanko, who unintentionally tipped Cammalleri's pass to Rosa, also collected an assist on Rosa's team-leading 38th goal of the season and 150th point as a Monarch.

The Monarchs had the only score in the second period as Rosa added to his league-leading total with goal No. 39, jammed through the five-hole of goaltender Jake Moreland with 4:45 remaining. Moreland, who entered the game midway through the period, actually got a piece of Kanko's centering pass in the crease, but deflected the puck onto Rosa's stick. Center Yanick Lehoux also assisted on Rosa's league-leading 88th point (39-49=88) of the season.

Worcester head coach Don Granato pulled Sanford, appearing in his 17th straight game, in favor of Moreland after learning the IceCats were a lock for third in the division. Worcester nailed down third by virtue of a Providence Bruins 2-1 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday night.

The Monarchs nearly added to their one-goal lead late in the period, but Moreland poke-checked the puck away from Jeff Giuliano as the left wing attempted a penalty shot with 1:01 to go.

The IceCats drew even on the scoreboard 5:20 into the final period when Brooks sliced his shot over the shoulder of Hnilicka from the left circle. Pollock and center Jeff Panzer assisted on Brooks' sixth of the season.

Black collected the game-winner just 3:17 later with his fourth goal of the season. Black cleaned up a rebound and stuffed it by Hnilicka after a shot from defenseman Aris Brimanis clanked off the right post. Forward Blake Evans also notched an assist on the play.

Moreland (1-1-0) earned his first AHL win in relief with eight saves. Sanford had 18 saves in just over 30 minutes of work. Hnilicka (8-10-0) finished with 27 stops, including 21 in the final two periods.

Worcester was 1-for-7 on the power play. The Monarchs were 0-for-5.

The Playoff Picture: The Monarchs will host Game 1 of their best-of-seven Calder Cup Division Semifinal with the IceCats at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, April 15 at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The Monarchs will also host the IceCats in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Division Semifinal at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, April 17. Season Ticket Holder should use Game "A" tickets for the Thursday contest and Game "B" tickets for Saturday's game.

Tickets for the Monarchs best-of-seven Calder Cup Division Semifinal against the IceCats will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 12 at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office. Calder Cup Division Semifinal tickets will also be available by calling Ticketmaster at (603) 868-7300, by visiting Ticketmaster on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or by visiting all Ticketmaster locations, including Filene's at the Mall of New Hampshire.

Calder Cup Division Semifinal ticket prices are $17.50 and $13 for adults and $10.50 for children. For more Calder Cup playoff ticket information, contact the Monarchs ticket office at (603) 626-7825 or visit the Monarchs on-line at www.monarchshockey.com.

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

Game 1: Thursday, April 15, 7:05 p.m. (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)

Notes: The Monarchs announced their end-of-the-season awards at the conclusion of Sunday's game. The list of winners included:

Pavel Rosa, winner of the Manchester Monarchs Booster Club Player of the Year Award.
Jeff Giuliano, winner of the Union Leader Fan Favorite Award.
Bryan Muir, winner of the Monarchs Community Service/American Specialty AHL man of the Year Award.
Joe Rullier, winner of the Mark Bavis Unsung Hero Award.
Pavel Rosa, winner of the Ace Bailey MVP Award.

The Monarchs also held their annual "Shirt Off Our Back" Promotion where fans that purchased raffle ticket had a chance to win the game-worn jersey of their favorite player. Proceeds from Sunday's event benefited the Monarchs Care Foundation and Special Olympics of New Hampshire.



American Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2004


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