AHL Manchester Monarchs

Lowell Frustrates Monarchs With Four Unanswered Goals

Published on October 11, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – The Lowell Lock Monsters potted four unanswered goals over the final two periods of play, erasing a two-goal deficit and posting a 4-2 victory over the Manchester Monarchs in front of 7,758 fans at the Verizon Wireless Arena. When the dust settled, the much-improved Lock Monsters had their second win in two games, and the Monarchs had their second consecutive night of frustration. The Monarchs, winless two games into a three game homestand, dominated the first period of play, outgunning their closest rival 16-5 in shots on goal.

But as good as the Monarchs were, Lowell goaltender Patrick DesRochers was even better, holding them scoreless in the opening period.

The Monarchs took a 1-0 lead when their first middle period shot found the back of the net.

Veteran center Steve Kelly, who opened the season with two assists on Friday night against the Worcester IceCats, extended his scoring streak to two games by notching his first goal at 5:42.

Kelly was on the receiving end of a nifty backdoor pass from rookie left wing Noah Clarke. Second year forward Yanick Lehoux also collected an assist on the play.

Kelly sprung linemate Dan Welch on a short-handed breakaway later in the same period as the Monarchs pushed their lead to 2-0.

Welch, who failed to convert on a breakaway chance on Friday against Worcester, finished what Kelly started on Saturday night.

Kelly took possession of a careless center ice pass and neatly shoveled the puck to Welch, who had read the play and was streaking full-speed up ice into the Lowell zone. Welch faked low then sliced his shot through the five-hole of the goalie.

It took the Monarchs nearly 30 minutes to build their two-goal lead. It took the Lock Monsters 16 seconds to erase that lead.

Forwards Jason Morgan and Allan Rourke scored at 19:08 and 19:24 respectively to tie the game at 2-2.

Morgan's goal was unassisted following a Monarchs turnover. Rourke's goal, his second in two nights of AHL action, was assisted on Brett Lysak and Robert Dome.

Lowell also struck quickly in the third period, stretching its lead to 4-2 in a span of 23 seconds.

Martin Sonnenberg took Rourke's feed and blasted it past Monarchs goaltender Milan Hnilicka at 5:32. Dome earned his second point of the night with a goal at 5:55. Morgan assisted on the play.

DesRochers held the Monarchs off the scoreboard in the third period, stopping 12 shots on his way to a game total of 32 saves.

Monarchs goaltender Milan Hnilicka dropped to 0-2 on the season with 22 saves.

The Monarchs continue their homestand when they host the Portland Pirates at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7:05 p.m. Good seats are still available for Wednesday's game. For ticket information, contact the Monarchs at (603) 626-7825.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2003


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