AHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Strike Early And Often, Cruise Past The Falcons 8-3

Published on March 21, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs were held without a goal in a loss to the Providence Bruins on Saturday night. They more than made up for that disappointment by tying a franchise record with eight goals as they cruised past the Springfield Falcons, 8-3, on Sunday afternoon before their 17th sellout crowd of the season (9,916). Veteran scorers Pavel Rosa and Steve Kelly led the offensive attack. Each had two goals and one assist against the overmatched Falcons, who entered Sunday's action in seventh place in the AHL's Atlantic Division. Right wing Sam Ftorek, center Michael Cammalleri, defenseman Tomas Zizka, left wing Noah Clarke and center Jerred Smithson all added two points as the Monarchs won for the eighth time in nine games. The loss was the fourth in five games for the Falcons.

With the win, the Monarchs (36-22-6-5, 83 points) pulled to within four points of the division-leading Hartford Wolf Pack, (37-20-11-2, 87 points) who did not play on Sunday.

The Monarchs took control of the game early, scoring four of the five goals registered in the opening period. Kelly had two of the four goals. Clarke and Rosa had the others.

Kelly opened the scoring barrage with a backhander through the slot at 4:28. Rosa and defenseman Joe Rullier assisted. Kelly collected his 2nd of the period and his 17th of the season just over five minutes later when he tapped home Ftorek's goalmouth feed for his 150th point as a Monarch (46-104=150).

The Monarchs added to their lead just nine seconds later when Clarke scored his 24th from the left wing. Cammalleri and Zizka assisted on the fastest back-to-back goals for the Monarchs at the Verizon Wireless Arena this season.

Rosa tied a Monarchs record with his 30th goal, scored on a nifty wrap-around play at 15:32. Kelly and left wing Chris Schmidt assisted as Rosa matched former Monarchs left wing Eric Healey with his 73rd point of the season. Healey, now in the Atlanta Thrashers organization, established the Monarchs single season scoring record by registering 73 points (42-31=73) last season.

Rosa broke Healey's record with his second goal of the game and team-leading 31st tally this season. He registered the goal 10:08 into the middle period with a heavy slap shot from the right wing circle. Defensemen Bryan Muir and Zizka assisted on Rosa's team-record and AHL-leading 74th point this season (31-43=74).

Sandwiched between the Rosa markers was right wing Peter Ferraro's 18th goal at 18:17 of the opening period. Defensemen Nic Bilotto and Jeremiah McCarthy assisted.

Center Jason Jaspers added his 15th goal to make it a 5-2 Monarchs lead at 10:57 of the middle period. Defenseman Tom Koivisto and left wing Frantisek Lukes shared assists on the play.

The teams traded goals in the final stages of the middle stanza, with Smithson knocking home his 6th of the season at 17:22, and right wing Nick Lent collecting his second goal at 19:24. Defenseman Richard Seeley assisted on the Smithson tally. Jaspers and defenseman Dustin Wood earned points on the Lent marker.

Ftorek added to the Monarchs lead with his sixth goal, registered at 10:20 of the final period with assistance from Smithson and left wing Ryan Flinn. Cammalleri closed the scoring with his 13th goal, scored from the right of the crease uncontested at 15:48 with help from left wing Jeff Giuliano and Clarke.

Goaltender Jean-Marc Pelletier surrendered all eight goals to the Monarchs. His record dropped to 8-22-4 on the season despite 26 saves. Goaltender Mathieu Chouinard improved his record to 10-5-0 by winning his third straight contest. He finished with 24 stops.

The Monarchs return to action when they meet the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24 at First Union Arena at Casey Plaza. The Monarchs next home game is slated for 7:35 p.m. on Friday, April 2 versus the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Only single seats remain for Friday's game. For ticket information, visit the Monarchs on-line at www.monarchshockey.com.

Monarchs Ticket Availability as March 21

Fri. April 2 vs. Bridgeport: Single seats remain.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2004


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