AHL Manchester Monarchs

Krahn Shuts Down Monarchs With 35 Saves

January 7, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – Goaltender Brent Krahn finished with 35 saves and right wing Chuck Kobasew had two goals as the Lowell Lock Monsters edged the Manchester Monarchs, 3-1, before a sell out crowd of 9,916 at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Friday night. The Monarchs loss, coupled with a Friday night win by the Hartford Wolf Pack, means that only two points separate the first place Monarchs (26-7-2-1, 55 points) and the Wolf Pack (25-8-1-2, 53 points) in the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division. The Monarchs are scheduled to host the Wolf Pack on Sunday night in a game that is nearly sold out (see ticket availability at the end of this recap).

Kobasew erased all hopes of a Monarchs third period comeback with his second goal of the game, scored into an empty net with just 51 seconds remaining in the contest. Center Eric Staal and defenseman Bruno St. Jacques assisted on the goal, the sixth for Kobasew in five games against the Monarchs this season. Kobasew leads the Lock Monsters with 19 goals overall.

The Monarchs matched a season high with 19 first period shots, but scored just once thanks mainly to Krahn (36 shots, 35 saves). Center Michael Cammalleri gave the Monarchs the 1-0 lead with his first goal in 10 games. Cammalleri was credited with his team-leading 23rd tally after his centering pass tipped off the back of a Lowell player and caromed into the Lock Monsters net at 3:27. Left wing Dustin Brown and right wing Brad Smyth assisted on the play.

The lead vanished quickly in the second period when right wing Chad Larose tied the contest just 10 seconds into the frame. His seventh goal of the season, a backhander that avoided the outstretched glove of goaltender Adam Hauser (17 shots, 15 saves), was unassisted.

The Lock Monsters took the lead when Kobasew rifled a one-timer into the Monarchs net at 13:34 of the same period. Defenseman Mike Commodore and Staal assisted on Kobasew's goal.

Strong special teams helped the Lock Monsters win their third straight head-to-head meetings with the Monarchs. The Monarchs league-leading power play unit finished 0-for-8 on the power play on Friday night. Over the last three head-to-head confrontations, the Lock Monsters have killed off 22 straight Monarchs power play chances.

Krahn earned the win (11-4-1), his second in three starts against the Monarchs this season. Hauser (9-3-0) lost for just the third time in 13 appearances this year.

After a rare Saturday night off, the Monarchs are scheduled to host the Wolf Pack on Sunday, January 9 at 4:05 p.m.

Ticket Availability: 35 seats (singles) in the Gold level and 50 seats in the Silver level remain for the Monarchs game against the Wolf Pack on Sunday, January 9.

Fans in need of Monarchs tickets 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 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 January 7, 2005


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