Lock Monsters Frustrated by Bridgeport, 2-1

January 20, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Lowell, Mass. - Vitaly Kolesnik turned aside 44 shots for the Lowell Lock Monsters (16-21-3-4), who dropped a narrow 2-1 decision to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (20-20-2-2) at Tsongas Arena Friday night.

Bridgeport took the lead near the midway point of the opening stanza. Sean Bergenheim sprung into the Lock Monsters zone on a partial breakaway at 9:24 and tucked it under G Vitaly Kolesnik for his 12th of the season and the 1-0 advantage. Lowell had their chances, with a 16-14 lead in shots after 20 minutes, but G Cody Rudkowsky was equal to the task, keeping the Monsters scoreless.

Bridgeport outshot Lowell 19-5 in the second, but the Monsters had a few chances. Krys Kolanos had two of them, including a wraparound attempt halfway through the period that was deflected into the screen. He later grabbed his own rebound chance and dinged it off the post with four minutes remaining in the frame. Moments later Cody McLeod narrowly missed with a backhander in front of the net. Kolesnik, meanwhile, continued his strong play, stopping 32 shots through 40 minutes, and took a short range wrister off the mask with just over a minute left to play.

The Tigers extended the lead just 24 seconds into the third. Rob Collins sent a wrister to the top shelf after weaving his way into the zone for his 11th of the season. Eight minutes into the frame, and just after the expiration of a Lowell power play, the Monsters lit the lamp. Mikko Viitanen's shot from the left point snuck through traffic and was directed in by Nicolas Corbeil, who now has three goals in five games since signing a PTO with the club last weekend.

Lowell scrambled to get the equalizer but Rudkowsky held down the fort for the Tigers. His final big save of the game came with just 45 seconds remaining in regulation, denying Keith Aucoin on a breakaway to preserve the victory. Tempers flared when the final buzzer sounded, with several minor skirmishes breaking out, drawing an ovation from the fans and 68 minutes in penalties. Aucoin drew the bulk of the infractions, amassing 24 minutes himself after taking exception to some last-second abuse. Bridgeport improved to 6-0 against Lowell with the victory and the Monsters string of four straight with at least a point came to a close.

The Lock Monsters hit the road for their next three and return home to host the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday, January 27th. Game time is 7:35 p.m. That night is Boy Scouts Night with the Lock Monsters, and the U.S. Army will be in the house collecting donations for care packages. They will also conduct a swearing in ceremony on the ice between periods. All games home and away can be heard live on 980 WCAP, and viewed through B2 Networks, the official broadband provider of the AHL, with the "Voice of the Lock Monsters" Ryan Johnston. Log on to www.lockmonsters.com to watch or listen online.

Individual tickets start at $10 and are on sale now at the Tsongas Arena box office, which is open from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Flex Packs and group outings are on sale now; contact the Lock Monsters ticket office at (978) 458-PUCK (7825) for more information.



American Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2006


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