AHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Stretch Home Winning Streak To Four with Victory Over River Rats

Published on November 9, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – Goaltender Adam Hauser had 22 saves and center Yanick Lehoux and right wing Scott Barney each had goals as the Monarchs edged the Albany River Rats, 2-1, on Sunday at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The win, witnessed by 9,687 Monarchs fans, was the fourth in a row on home ice for the Monarchs, who improved to 7-5-1-1 on the season and strengthened their hold on second place in the AHL's Atlantic Division. The Monarchs also pushed their unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1-0) with the win.

The high-flying Monarchs were held to just one goal after 40 minutes, thanks mainly to the goaltending of Scott Clemmensen. The former Boston College Eagle collected 24 saves over two periods, shutting down all but one of the Monarchs attempts. Hauser was just as solid on the other end of the ice for the Monarchs, totaling 11 saves through two periods.

Lehoux broke the scoreless tie 4:24 into the middle period after completing a slick give-and-go play with left wing Jeff Giuliano. Giuliano, a Nashua, New Hampshire native and former teammate of Clemmensen while at Boston College, fed Lehoux in the slot from behind the net. Lehoux finished the play by lifting his quick wrist shot over Clemmensen's glove. Right wing Dan Welch also assisted on the play.

Lehoux also played a part in the Monarchs second goal, scored by right wing Scott Barney at 2:27 of the third. Barney collected his team-leading seventh goal with his backhander in the crease after Clemmensen had trouble handling Lehoux's shot from the bottom of the left circle. Right wing Pavel Rosa also assisted on Barney's sixth goal in four games.

Center Eric Johansson pulled the River Rats to within one goal with 1:04 remaining in the contest. The goal, scored from the right side of the crease, was his second this season. The River Rats also threatened to tie the game seconds later, but Hauser, with the help of the left post, preserved the victory. Left wing Maxim Balmochnykh's shot from the left circle deflected off the post with 20 seconds left to play. With the win, Hauser improved to 3-0-1 in four starts with the Monarchs. The former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher has surrendered just two goals to the opposition in the four games.

The Monarchs were equally impressive on the penalty-kill, holding the River Rats without a power play goal despite five chances. One of the kills lasted five minutes after defenseman Martin Strbak was assessed a five-minute penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing center Adrian Foster 17:10 into the first. Including Sunday's effort, the Monarchs have killed off 37 straight power plays over their last eight games.

The Monarchs return to action when they host the Atlantic Division-leading Hartford Wolf Pack (8-0-3-1) at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Friday, November 14 at 7:35 p.m. The Monarchs will also entertain the Springfield Falcons at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday, November 15 at 7:35 p.m.

For Monarchs ticket information, call (603) 626-7825 or visit the Monarchs on-line at www.monarchshockey.com.

MONARCHS TICKET AVAILABILITY (AS OF 11/9/03)

Fri., 11/14/03 vs. Hartford: Seats remaining in the Gold Level: Single seats. Seats remaining in the Silver Level: 2,000.

Sat., 11/15/03 vs. Springfield: Seats remaining in the Gold Level: Single seats. Seats remaining in the Silver Level: 2,000.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2003


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