Lion's Play - Week-in-Review
February 6, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
Wednesday, February 5, Manchester 2, Manitoba 2 (OT): Manchester, NH - Several times in the third period the Manchester Monarchs had chances to win the game, but in the end they were forced to settle for a 2-2 tie with the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The tie earned the Monarchs another point in the North Division standings, and more importantly, it kept the team's recent hot streak on home ice intact. The Monarchs improved their record to 4-1-2-0 in their last seven games on home ice. The Monarchs and the Moose are each unbeaten in two games overall heading into Friday's rematch at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
The Monarchs held the 18-7 shots on goal edge in the scoreless third period. They also outgunned the road-weary Moose 3-1 in the overtime session. Derek Bekar, Eric Healey, Jerred Smithson and Dan Welch all had chances to end the game in regulation, but Manitoba goaltender Alex Auld held the Monarchs off the board after allowing two first period goals. Although not tested nearly as often, Monarchs goaltender Travis Scott played solidly, allowing just two goals on 26 shots.
Bekar, out since December 15 with a broken finger, collected his fifth goal by redirecting a first period blast from defenseman Mike Pudlick past Auld on a Monarchs power play at 4:09. The Monarchs had the man-advantage after defenseman Jaroslav Obsut was assessed a penalty for kneeing Pavel Rosa. Greg Koehler, acquired by the Los Angeles Kings from the Nashville Predators for future considerations and assigned to Manchester on Tuesday, also assisted on the goal.
Justin Morrison drew the Moose even by scoring his fourth goal on a partial breakaway 10:55 into the opening stanza. Morrison, in just his fifth game with the Moose after being recalled from the Columbia Inferno of the East Coast Hockey League, would score his fifth Moose goal late in the second period. Sandwiched between the two Morrison markers was Yanick Lehoux's 15th goal of the season. Nashua's Jeff Giuliano and defenseman Richard Seeley assisted Lehoux on the tally, registered just 31 seconds later at 11:26.
Morrison's second goal, scored at 15:03 of the middle period, was much like his first as he snuck behind the Monarchs defense and completed a breakaway rush into the Monarchs zone.
Saturday, February 1, Manchester 5, Portland 2: Manchester, NH - The Manchester Monarchs three-game winless streak is history and so is the team's scoreless streak against the Portland Pirates. The Monarchs closed the first half of the 2002-03 season with a 5-2 come-from-behind victory over the Pirates on Saturday afternoon at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The game, the last for the Monarchs before the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, was played before a sellout crowd of 9,796 fans. The Monarchs needed just 7:22 of the first period to get their first goal in three games against the Pirates, a North Division rival. Eric Healey's team-leading 19th goal ended the scoring drought at 127:22. Jared Aulin and Chris Bogas assisted on Healey's second goal in two games. Graham Mink answered the Healey tally with one of his own just over a minute later, scoring his 18th goal at 8:36, and Chris Hajt gave the Pirates the lead with his 10th goal, scored on the power play, at 11:24. For much of the season, the Monarchs have struggled to score goals in the second period, but that wasn't the case on Saturday. Dan Welch and Ryan Flinn collected goals 1:25 apart against goaltender Maxime Ouellet as the Monarchs rallied to take a 3-2 lead. Flinn stuffed home Welch's feed from the right wing at 3:04. Then Welch, picked by the Los Angeles Kings in the eighth round (245th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, recorded his first goal as a professional at 4:29. Jerred Smithson registered his first of three assists on the Flinn tally. All-Star Tomas Zizka assisted on the Welch goal. Entering play on Saturday, the Monarchs had been outscored by the opposition 42-to-39 in the middle period.
Zizka's 11th goal 14:39 into the final period provided insurance for the Monarchs, who improved to 3-2-1-0 in six head-to-head matchups with the Pirates this season. Richard Seeley's second goal, scored into an empty net at 18:22, completed the scoring.
Friday, January 31, Hartford 4, Manchester 2: Manchester, NH - A major penalty to goaltender Travis Scott for high sticking changed the complexion of the first period and the game as the Hartford Wolf Pack rallied from a two-goal deficit to post a 4-2 win at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Friday night. The loss extended the Monarchs winless streak to three games.
Scott jabbed Hartford's Jay Henderson with the butt end of his stick 16:24 into the period. Referee Scott Hoberg assessed the major, allowing the Wolf Pack to close the period with a pair of power play goals. Nils Ekman, who would net a hat trick in the game, started the comeback with his 15th goal at 17:52. Dixon Ward tied the game with just seconds remaining in the period, scoring his 17th goal at 19:50.
The Hartford rally spoiled a promising start for the Monarchs, who scored twice in the first 13 minutes to take a 2-0 lead. Nashua's Jeff Giuliano, recalled by the Monarchs earlier in the day, collected his second goal at 2:38. Fellow rookie Dan Welch assisted on the play, as did Jerred Smithson. Eric Healey's team-leading 10th power play goal, recorded at 12:09, provided the Monarchs with a two-goal cushion. The goal was Healey's 18th overall, tying him with Pavel Rosa for the team lead. All-Stars Jared Aulin and Tomas Zizka assisted. Hartford's run of unanswered goals grew to three when Ekman scored short-handed at 3:25 of the second period to give the visitors their first lead. Ekman finished an odd-man rush with Roman Lyashenko, who waited until the last moment before softly sliding a pass across the crease to the hard-charging Swede. Ekman capped his night by netting a hat trick goal with one minute remaining in the third period. The goal stung an already frustrated Monarchs squad, which failed to convert on five third period power play chances, including a 5-on-3 power play that lasted 1:56. The Los Angeles Kings on Friday assigned Aulin and Scott Barney, defenseman Joe Corvo, and goaltender Cristobal Huet to the Monarchs. Aulin and Barney appeared in Friday's game. Huet is expected to start for the Monarchs when they return to action tomorrow afternoon against the Portland Pirates. Corvo, Aulin and Zizka will represent the Monarchs at the 2003 Dodge AHL-Star Classic beginning on Sunday in Portland, ME, with the Pepsi AHL All-Star Skills Competition. The 2003 AHL All-Star Game is slated for 7:00 at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland on Monday, February 3.
Lion's Prey - Upcoming games
Friday, February 7 vs. Manitoba Moose - 7:35 p.m. @ Verizon Wireless Arena
The Manchester Monarchs battle with the Moose for the second time this week. Derek Bekar has two goals and an assist against Manitoba this season, including a power play goal scored early in the first period on Wednesday.
Saturday, February 8 vs. Providence Bruins - 7:35 p.m. @ Verizon Wireless Arena
The Monarchs face off against their North Division rivals for the sixth time this season. Manchester has a 1-3-1-0 record this season against the Baby B's with Providence taking the last meeting, 4-2, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, RI, ON January 12.
Wednesday, February 12 vs. Portland Pirates - 7:05 p.m. @ Verizon Wireless Arena
Manchester confronts the hosts of this year's AHL All-Star Game when the Portland Pirates come to town. The Monarchs won the "Maine Event" on February 1 with a 5-2 victory over Portland, which had previously shutout Manchester in two consecutive contests.
The Lion's Roar - Who's Hot?
Jerred Smithson tied a Monarchs season high by finishing with a plus-4 rating vs. the Portland Pirates on Saturday. Smithson also stretched his assist and point streak to three games. Smithson was 0-5-5 over his last three games and 1-8-9 over his last seven games before going scoreless against the Moose on Wednesday. He also has finished with an even or plus rating in 12 straight games.
New Places, New Faces - Player Transactions The Los Angeles Kings this week activated center Brad Chartrand off of the injured reserve list and have placed center Michael Cammalleri on the injured reserve list. In addition, the Kings recalled forwards Jared Aulin, Scott Barney and Ryan Flinn, and defenseman Joe Corvo from the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL). The Monarchs in turn recalled goaltender B.J. Boxma from the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the West Coast Hockey League. Boxma will take the place of goaltender Cristobal Huet on the Monarchs roster. The Kings recalled Huet on Sunday. The Monarchs also recalled forwards Brandon Dietrich and Brian McCullough for the Reading Royals of the East Coast Hockey League.
Lion Bites - New Bites
Monarchs All-Stars Show Well At League Showcase
Center Jared Aulin (one assist), defenseman Joe Covo (two goals) and defenseman Tomas Zizka represented the Monarchs in Monday night's AHL All-Star Game in Portland, ME. The Canadian squad (featuring Aulin) bested the PlanetUSA team (Corvo and Zizka), 10-7.
Monarchs Host Blood Drive
The Monarchs and SMG will jointly host a Blood Drive at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Monday, February 10, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. to benefit the American Red Cross. Everyone who donates blood on the 10th will receive a special Monarchs/Red Cross puck. Those donating blood can park in the VIP lot at the rear of the arena on Monday.
Bellman Jewelers Diamond Giveaway
The ice that the players skate on won't be the only ice in the building on Friday, February 7, as the first 1,000 women 18 and over through the doors to see the Monarchs take on the Manitoba Moose will each receive one ½ carat diamond upon entry. One lucky lady will receive a $2,000 diamond. The rest will receive a cubic zirconium replica. Fans will be able to go to Bellman's Jewelers to find out if their diamond is the real deal after the game.
Mullet Night With ESPN's Barry Melrose
Whether you're a pro wrestler, a country-western singer or just a guy in a Camaro trying to make it in this button-down world, you can't help but admire the enduring presence and universal appeal of the mullet. From the Hollywood hills to the heartland of America, no hairstyle makes a statement like the rockin' 10/90 mullet. No circle has embraced this hairstyle of champions more than the ranks of professional ice hockey. Gretzky, Jagr and yes...Melrose: great names of the game and great hair for the ages. What better way to pay tribute to the mullet than at a hockey game at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester? On Friday, February 21, the first 4,000 adult males through the turnstiles will receive a free mullet wig courtesy of Trimz Hair Salon, so they can hide their shamefully short locks. ESPN analyst and former Los Angeles Kings head coach Barry Melrose will also be honored on this very special night, as he will be inducted into the Mullet Hall of Fame.
In association with Mullet Night sponsored by Trimz at the Verizon Wireless Arena, the Manchester Monarchs will host an exclusive dinner with Barry Melrose at the Center of New Hampshire Holiday Inn's Armory Room on Friday, February 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The dinner package includes a buffet dinner with chicken, beef or fish, a meet and greet with Melrose, a free mullet wig courtesy of Trimz Hair Salon, and a Silver level ticket to the Monarchs game against Portland for $60. Dinner tickets may also be purchased for $50 if a ticket to the game Monarchs game against the Pirates has already been purchased. The dinner will be limited to 200 people and a Cash Bar will be available. The deadline for dinner reservations is Friday, February 14. For more information or to reserve seats for the dinner, please contact Jason Bergeron at (603) 626-7825, extension 6113.
Royal Road Warrior Trip
The Royal Road Warriors still have a few seats remaining for the trip to see the Monarchs take on the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Hartford Civic Center on Sunday, February 23, at 4:05 p.m. The bus will depart at 1:00 p.m. from the Macy's parking lot in Bedford, NH. To sign up, visit the Road Warriors table behind section 112 between periods this weekend.
Tune In To The Sports Zone On 107.7 The Pulse
The Sports Zone is live from Billy's Sports Bar every Tuesday night from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The show features Mike Murphy, head coach Bruce Boudreau and a different Monarchs player every week. The Sport Zone is broadcast live on 107.7 The Pulse.
Can't Make It To The Game? Listen To All The Action On The Radio! Catch the Monarchs on the radio and listen to Ken Cail and his guest color analysts Dick Lutsk, Jim Rivers, and Mike Kalinowski broadcast every Manchester Monarchs game live. Tune your dial to the Monarchs Radio Network, WGIR (AM 610) in Manchester, WGIN (AM 930) in Rochester, WGIP (AM 1540) in Portsmouth, and WTSL (AM 1400) in Hanover and don't miss a second of the action. Monarchs hockey can also be accessed on the World Wide Web at monarchshockey.com.
American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2003
- AHL unveils trading card set - AHL
- Penguins Reassign Forward Bobby Russell to Wheeling - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Lion's Play - Week-in-Review - Manchester Monarchs
- Blackawks Assign Matt Henderson to Norfolk - Norfolk Admirals
- Defenseman Robinson Signs PTO - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bouillon Recalled by Canadiens - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Labatt's Celebrity Bartending Set For Wednesday, February 12 - Syracuse Crunch
- Quickway Trading Card Night Set for Saturday, February 22 - Syracuse Crunch
- Philadelphia Moves Closer to Third-Place Penguins with 4-3 Win - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
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