Monarchs Open The New Year In Style
January 2, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH â Defensemen Doug Nolan, Jason Holland, and Tim Gleason and right wing Tom Kostopoulos had third period goals as the Manchester Monarchs roared back from a two-goal deficit to beat the Providence Bruins, 5-3, before 9,125 fans at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday night. With the win, the Monarchs snapped a two-game slide and remained in first place in the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division with a record of 25-6-2-1 and 53 points. The Monarchs hold a two-point lead over the second place Hartford Wolf Pack (24-8-1-2, 51 points), which beat the Utah Grizzlies, 5-2, at the Hartford Civic Center on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Bruins (18-11-2-5, 43 points) lost in regulation for the first time since the Monarchs beat them on December 4, 2004. They entered Saturday's game with a 12-game unbeaten in regulation streak (9-0-0-3).
The Monarchs opened the third period on the short end of a 3-1 score as Bruins left wing Dan LaCouture collected goals at 12:07 of the first period and 3:45 and 5:08 of the second period. The Monarchs lone goal over the first two frames went to Kostopoulos, who redirected a shot from right wing Brad Smyth through the legs of goaltender Cody Rudkowsky for his 17th goal of the season. Kostopoulos registered the goal with just 28 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Nolan started the Monarchs comeback with his first goal of the season, scored from the left crease at 10:18. Left wing Jeff Giuliano worked the puck out of the corner before locating Nolan, who scored with the Monarchs enjoying an extra attacker after the Bruins were about to get a delayed penalty.
The Monarchs tied the game just 1:24 later with a penalty shot goal from Holland, who was called upon by the coaching staff to take the shot after left wing Dustin Brown was injured while attempting a shorthanded breakaway. Brown left the game with a facial laceration and did not return. The goal for Holland was his first of the season.
Gleason jammed the game-winning goal by Rudkowsky four minutes later to complete the comeback. Right wing George Parros and center Yanick Lehoux assisted on his fifth goal of the season.
Kostopoulos added an insurance tally 3:01 after that with his second goal of the game.
Goaltender Adam Hauser (9-2-0) faced only one shot in the final period. He finished with 18 saves and his ninth win in 12 appearances this season. Rudkowsky (2-2-1) finished with 27 saves and his second loss.
The Monarchs return to action when they host the Grizzles at the Verizon Wireless Arena at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5. After that, the Monarchs are scheduled to host the Lowell Lock Monsters at 7:35 p.m. on Friday, January 7 and the Hartford Wolf Pack at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, January 9.
Ticket Availability: 350 seats in the Gold level and 3,000 seats in the Silver level remain for the Monarchs game against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, January 5.
70 seats (singles) in the Gold level and 850 seats in the Silver level remain for the Monarchs game against the Lock Monsters on Friday, January 7.
60 seats (singles) in the Gold level and 150 seats in the Silver level remain for the Monarchs game against the Wolf Pack on Sunday, January 9.
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 2, 2005
- Bergeron, Canada to play for Gold - Providence Bruins
- Phantoms lose 4-2 to Rochester - Adirondack Phantoms
- Bears keep rolling with a 5-1 win over Worcester - Hershey Bears
- Rampage reassign Dickenson, Sonnenberg to Texas - San Antonio Rampage
- Monarchs Open The New Year In Style - Manchester Monarchs
- Falcons Edged by Penguins in Shootout, 5-4 - Springfield Falcons
- 'Cats start 2005 with 3-2 win over Binghamton - Worcester IceCats
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