AHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Skate To First-Ever Scoreless Tie At The Verizon

Published on February 25, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – Goaltender Adam Hauser's pad save on center Brooks Laich's breakaway with 2:20 left in overtime highlighted the Manchester Monarchs' 0-0 tie with the Portland Pirates before 9,046 fans at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Wednesday night. The scoreless tie was the first-ever in team history for the Monarchs (28-21-6-3, 65 points), who extended their unbeaten streak to five games (3-0-2-0). With the draw, they stayed two points ahead of the Pirates in the race for second place in the Atlantic Division. The Pirates (22-17-12-7, 63 points), who have skated in five consecutive overtime games, remained in third place in the division, two points up on the idle Worcester IceCats.

Both teams trail the division-leading Hartford Wolf Pack, which posted a 5-2 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Wednesday night. With the win, the Wolf Pack (32-16-9-1, 73 points) opened a nine-point lead over the Monarchs in the standings.

Hauser's game-saver was the only shot registered by the Pirates in overtime. Meanwhile, the Monarchs pumped six shots in the direction of goaltender Maxime Ouellet (10-20-8), who finished with 36 saves and his seventh shutout.

Hauser (13-11-5) collected 15 saves and his team-leading fifth shutout. He now owns half of the Monarchs' team-record 10 shutouts this season.

The Monarchs established a new season standard by allowing the Pirates just one shot in the scoreless opening period. They finished with six shots including left wing Chris Schmidt's slot chip 6:55 into the contest. Schmidt, however, was unable to slip his shot through the pads of Ouellet.

The game remained tied after two periods, thanks to a strong effort from the Monarchs' penalty killing unit.

The Pirates were awarded an extended man-advantage after Schmidt was whistled for a high sticking major at 6:22. But Hauser absorbed one-time shots from Laich and left wing Colin Forbes during the early stages of the power play. Both shots were triggered from the left circle. The penalty kill also included Hauser's quick glove stop on right wing Graham Mink's crease area stuff. Mink attempted his shot a split second after Hauser blocked left wing Ivan Ciernik's wrap-around try.

Center Greg Koehler nearly gave the Monarchs the lead with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, but his 30-foot drive clipped the post. The scoring chance immediately followed a face-off win in the Pirates' zone.

The Monarchs outshot the Pirates 14-5 in the third period and held a 30-14 shots on goal advantage through three periods.

The tie was the 24th of the season for the Pirates, who tied a team record set during the 1996-97 season.

After eight games, the Monarchs improved to 4-1-2-1 in their season series with the Pirates.

The Monarchs return to action on Saturday, February 28 when they host the Western Conference's Utah Grizzlies at 7:35 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Monarchs Ticket Availability as of Monday, February 25, 2004

Sat., Feb. 28 vs. Utah: 250 seats remain.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 25, 2004


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