Lock Monsters Outlast Monarchs In Shootout
January 30, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH â Center Mike Zigomanis collected the game-winning goal in the sudden death round of a shootout as the Lowell Lock Monsters edged the Manchester Monarchs, 3-2, in front of a sold out (9,916) Verizon Wireless Arena on Sunday night. Zigomanis scored the only goal in the shootout, which lasted six rounds. Lock Monsters goaltender Cam Ward (13-8-2) stopped all six Monarchs shots he faced to earn the win, his second straight against the Monarchs and 13th overall. Monarchs goaltender Mathieu Garon (21-8-2) stopped five of the six shot he faced during the shootout.
Even with the shootout loss, the Monarchs moved another point ahead of the second place Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division. The Monarchs, now with a record of 32-9-3-2 and 69 points on the season, hold a two-point lead over the Wolf Pack, which lost to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 6-4, on Sunday night. Hartford has a record of 32-13-1-2 and 67 points. The Monarchs also have two games in hand on the Wolf Pack.
Sunday's win was the eighth in 11 games for the hard-charging Lock Monsters, who crept two points closer to the Worcester IceCats in the race for third place in the division. The Lock Monsters improved to 26-13-1-3 and 56 points with their fifth straight victory over the Monarchs this season. Lowell has three games in hand on the Monarchs and five games in hand on the Wolf Pack after Sunday's action.
The teams skated through a scoreless opening period, although the Monarchs carried most of the play and enjoyed four power play chances. Included in the power play time was a five-minute major, assessed to Lowell left wing Gordie Dwyer at 13:15. Dwyer was also nailed with a game misconduct on the same play and left wing Noah Clarke, victimized by the hit, left the game with an injury.
The Monarchs struck first with the 14th goal of the season for right wing Brad Smyth, scored from the slot at 2:12 of the second period. Smyth extended his scoring streak to nine games (4-6=10) by drilling a pass from center Michael Cammalleri into the Lowell net. Like Smyth, Cammalleri stretched his scoring streak to nine games (6-9=15) on the play. Left wing Dustin Brown had the second assist on Smyth's goal.
Clarke returned from his earlier injury to score a penalty shot goal and put the Monarchs up by two goals at 14:37 of the period. Clarke motored down the slot and then beat Ward (34 shots, 32 saves) by firing a hard wrist shot into the top corner of the net. The goal was his 14th this season.
Referee Justin St. Pierre awarded the penalty shot to Clarke after a Lowell defender hooked the speedy forward just as he was entering the Lock Monsters zone on a partial breakaway.
St. Pierre also played a major role in the next goal, scored by Zigomanis with just 14 seconds remaining the period. St. Pierre ruled that Zigomanis jammed the puck past Garon (25 shots, 23 saves) and into the Monarchs net during a crease scramble. Right wing Chuck Kobasew and left wing Colin Forbes assisted on the power play goal, the 17th overall goal of the season for Zigomanis.
Lowell tied the game at 2-2 with a shorthanded goal from defenseman Allan Rourke at 9:22 of the third period. Defenseman Mike Commodore and center Eric Staal shared assists on the 6th goal of the season for Rourke.
The Monarchs are off until they host the Wolf Pack at 7:05 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Wednesday, February 2.
Ticket Availability: 300 seats in the Gold Level and 2,850 seats in the Silver level remain for Wednesday's game against the Wolf Pack.
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.
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American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2005
- Lock Monsters Outlast Monarchs In Shootout - Manchester Monarchs
- Olson's three goals rally Rampage past Ducks - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Senators fall in shootout, 3-2 - Binghamton Senators
- IceCats' winning streak snapped - Worcester IceCats
- Bruins fall to Pens - Providence Bruins
- Record Crowd Sees Sound Tigers Beat Hartford - Bridgeport Islanders
- Monarchs Recall James From Bakersfield - Manchester Monarchs
- Amerks Edge Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Grizzlies defeat Manitoba - Utah Grizzlies
- Admirals power past Griffins, 3-2 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Aeros down Wolves 3-2 in dramatic fashion - Houston Aeros
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