Monarchs defeat Wolf Pack

January 30, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Connecticut Whale News Release


Hartford, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack had a much better start Saturday night than they did in their 3-2 loss Friday evening to the Lowell Devils.

Unfortunately for the Wolf Pack, they couldn't finish any of their chances.

Jonathan Bernier made 20 saves for his AHL-leading sixth shutout of the season, as the Manchester Monarchs beat the injury-riddled Wolf Pack 2-0 before a season-high 8,539 at the XL Center.

Bernier, 21, the first-round pick (11th overall) of the Los Angeles Kings in 2006, was rarely tested in registering his second shutout in as many nights (he beat Providence 2-0 Friday), as the Wolf Pack (23-20-2-4) were shut out for the second time this season and had their winless streak reach five games (0-4-0-1), the longest since a season-high, six-game slide (0-4-1-1) from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11. Meanwhile, the Monarchs (29-14-2-5) extended their unbeaten streak in regulation to 3-0-0-1 and increased their Atlantic Division lead over the Lowell Devils to four points, as Bernier improved to 22-11-5 with a 1.90 goals-against average and .942 save percentage.

"They're a pretty good defensive squad, but there are some guys who have to elevate their game with a sense of desperation given our current circumstances," Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander said, alluding to six frontline players being injured, including their No. 2 and 4 scorers, P.A. Parenteau and All-Star defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti. "They have to start generating some offense, and those who do bring it are probably being overtaxed.

"You just can't be a bystander or think you're going to play even hockey. If you're just going to try to fit in or go unnoticed, eventually somebody is going to have some success. You have to be able to counterpunch."

The Wolf Pack failed to sustain much of a forecheck against the Monarchs, who have allowed 113 goals, the fourth lowest total in the league. Meanwhile, the Wolf Pack wasted a solid 33-save performance by Matt Zaba.

"I thought we played well and worked hard, but we have to find ways to score," Wolf Pack center Brodie Dupont said. "They definitely have good, moving defensemen and are pretty stable in the back, but we can't worry about how they play. They're obviously good in a lot of areas, which is why they're in first place now. But we're fighting for a playoff spot, so we have to get back to our game and start winning those games."

A scoreless first period didn't produce many quality chances, including during a Monarchs' 5-on-3 power play for 1:27 and an ensuing 5-on-4 on which the Wolf Pack didn't allow a shot.

The Monarchs had two good chances in the first 90 seconds of the second period, but Zaba came out to deny Dwight King off a nifty play off the opening faceoff and stopped Geoff Walker breaking in off the left wing. Zaba then made the game's best save when he stopped Walker's breakaway at 6:50.

After each team failed to generate much on power plays, Zaba continued to keep the Monarchs at bay when he made a sprawling save on Bud Holloway's rush and rebound bid with 5:09 left in the period. But 25 seconds later, King passed to John Zeiler, who came out of the left corner and squeezed the puck between Zaba and the right post as defenseman Ilkka Heikkinen tried to block the shot.

The Wolf Pack nearly tied it with 2:50 left, but Evgeny Grachev's close-in bid off a scramble hit the crossbar. Then 2:48 into the third period, the Monarchs' Tom Cavanagh hit the post with Manchester on a power play.

Bernier then made his best save, stopping Jared Nightingale from 10 feet alone in front with 8:50 left.

Given that reprieve, the Monarchs made it 2-0 when Jon Rheault got inside Nigel Williams and deflected Corey Elkins' centering pass, the puck popping in the air and trickling in the net with 7:19 left.

The Wolf Pack pulled Zaba for a sixth attacker with 45 seconds left, but they still couldn't solve Bernier as the Monarchs, 4-0 at home against the Wolf Pack, finished the season 1-3 at the XL Center.

"I have no complaints with Zaba," Gernander said. "He was real good."

"Your goalie is usually why you're in or out of a game," Dupont said. "Zabs was huge for us, so we have to start giving our goalies a little more help because we know they're going to be there for us."



American Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2010


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