Monarchs, Pirates Skate To 1-1 Draw
February 21, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
PORTLAND, ME â Left wing Noah Clarke's late third period goal gave the Manchester Monarchs a hard fought 1-1 tie with the Portland Pirates before a crowd of 6,742 at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Saturday night. Clarke's goal, his 19th of the season, was the first in nearly two games for the Monarchs at the Civic Center. The Pirates blanked the Monarchs, 2-0, on January 16.
Forwards Greg Koehler and Jerred Smithson assisted on Clarke's goal, with Koehler shoveling his pass across the slot to Clarke, who was waiting at the bottom of the right circle. Clarke next lifted his shot over Ouellet with just 1:58 remaining in regulation.
The goal followed four Monarchs power play chances earlier in the period, including a five-on-three.
With the tie, the Monarchs (27-21-5-3, 62 points) extended their unbeaten streak to three games (2-0-1-0) and held onto second place in the Atlantic Division. The tie pushed the Pirates (22-17-10-7, 61 points), who have points in 12 straight games (6-0-3-3), into third place in the division.
The tie also gave the Monarchs a 3-1-2-0 record during their season-long six-game road trip. They return home to the Verizon Wirless Arena to face the Binghamton Senators on Monday, February 23 at 7:05 p.m.
After seven games, the Monarchs have a 4-1-1-1 record in their season series against the Pirates.
The Pirates had several chances to take the lead in the scoreless opening period, but all were snuffed out by goaltender Adam Hauser. The Monarchs' netminder finished the period with 15 saves, including close range stops on shots from center Jason Ulmer and left wing Colin Forbes and wrap-around attempts from left wing Ivan Ciernik and left wing Roman Tvrdon.
The Monarchs' best chance to break through with the first goal occurred earlier in the period on the power play, but defenseman Bryan Muir ripped his right circle shot off the post with 6:40 remaining.
An unassisted goal from Ulmer gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead through two periods. Ulmer triggered his shot from the left circle and slipped the puck through Hauser's pads at 12:20. His eighth goal followed Tvrdon's wide-open slot chance just seconds before.
Hauser (12-11-5) finished with 31 saves while improving to 2-1-0 against the Pirates. Ouellet (10-20-6) registered 32 saves, including 17 in the third period.
The Monarchs were 0-for-7 on the power play. The Pirates were 0-for-5.
The Monarchs open a four-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena against the Binghamton Senators on Monday, February 23. After that, they are scheduled to host the Pirates at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, the Utah Grizzlies at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, February 28 and the Providence Bruins at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, February 29.
NOTES: The Monarchs on Saturday recalled goaltender Terry Denike from the Reading Royals. The 22-year-old Denike, who has yet to appear in a Monarchs game this season, joined the Monarchs a day after goaltender Milan Hnilicka suffered a knee sprain against the Bruins. Hnilicka is expected to miss two weeks of action with the injury.
Monarchs Ticket Availability as of February 21, 2004
Mon., Feb. 23 vs. Binghamton: 2,700 seats remain.
American Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2004
- Falcons top Lowell, 4-1 - Springfield Falcons
- Maltais' hat trick helps Wolves double up Aeros 6-3 - Houston Aeros
- 2-1 win gives Griffins largest lead of season - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Senators hold off P-Bruins, 2-1 - Binghamton Senators
- Bears allow four in third period to fall to Phantoms, 4-1 - Hershey Bears
- Another Shutout for the Wolf Pack - Connecticut Whale
- St. John's Maple Leafs introduce "Kids Weekend" - Toronto Marlies
- Phantoms rally for 4-1 win in Hershey - Adirondack Phantoms
- Monarchs, Pirates Skate To 1-1 Draw - Manchester Monarchs
- Sound Tigers Lose 2-1 At Home To Norfolk - Bridgeport Islanders
- P-Bruins fall in tough game at Binghamton - Providence Bruins
- Columbus Recalls McDonell - Syracuse Crunch
- Willis back, game sold out as Phantoms come to call tonight - Hershey Bears
- Monarchs Recall Denike - Manchester Monarchs
- Crunch Announces Details of 'Score with Hess' Promotion - Syracuse Crunch
- Aeros Game Day - Houston Aeros
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