Monarchs Sweep Flames In Harbour Station Scorefest
Published on December 21, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
Saint John, New Brunswick - After trailing early, the Manchester Monarchs responded with a season-high five first period goals and went on to douse the Saint John Flames 7-4 at Harbour Station on Saturday night. The win was the Monarchs second straight over the Flames and the third straight overall. The Monarchs edged the Flames 3-2 at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Friday night.
Eric Healey's hat trick, the third in team history, helped the Monarchs improve their AHL-best road record to 10-1-2-3 after 16 road games. Healey registered his hat trick goal with the assistance of Jared Aulin and defenseman Tomas Zizka at 16:35 of the second period. The assist was Aulin's fifth of the game.
The Monarchs outscored the Flames 5-2 in a first period that featured five power play goals. The Flames secured the early 1-0 lead when Matt Doman collected his first goal of the season on the power play at 4:57. The power play goal was the first allowed by the Monarchs since Sunday, December 8, and it ended a streak of 23 straight penalty kills.
Healey tied the game 45 seconds later with a wrap-around power play goal set up by Aulin, but Saint John took a 2-1 lead at 6:15 when rookie Chuck Kobasew scored his first AHL goal. The Flames lead lasted exactly 30 seconds as Monarchs defenseman Chris Aldous stole the puck and set up Chris Schmidt for his eighth goal at 6:45. The goal led to the exit of Flames goaltender Dany Sabourin, who allowed two goals on three shots.
Levente Szuper, Sabourin's replacement, didn't fare much better as the Monarchs closed the period with three power play goals. Healey registered his 10th goal at 11:50, Schmidt potted his ninth goal at 14:21, and Scott Barney sniped his eighth goal at 15:07. Szuper allowed the Monarchs to score three goals on eight shots, and was replaced by Sabourin at the end of the first period.
The Monarchs had their own goaltending problems in the third period when starter Cristobal Huet allowed two short-handed goals less than a minute apart to allow the Flames to creep back into the game midway through the period at 6-4. Huet was replaced by Travis Scott, who closed the game with several challenging saves as the Flames tried to complete the comeback. Steve Kelly's empty net goal at 19:48 sealed the win for the Monarchs, who have gone nine straight games without a regulation loss (6-0-1-2).
The first place Monarchs (19-5-3-3, 44 points, North Division) return to action on Friday, December 27 when they meet the Lowell Lock Monsters at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA.
Friday's game is scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. start time. Following Friday's contest, the Monarchs return to the Verizon Wireless for another meeting with the Saint John Flames on Saturday, December 28. Saturday's contest begins at 7:35 and features Executive Health and Fitness Cap Night (the first 5,000 fans at the game will receive a free Monarchs replica hat). Only 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday's game. Call (603) 868-7300 for ticket information.
American Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2002
- Rookie winger lights up Syracuse - OSC Original by Ed Gonser
- Bulldogs Head into Christmas Break with Win - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Flames Fall 7-4 to the Monarchs - Saint John Flames
- Phantoms lose 5-1 in Wilkes-Barre - Adirondack Phantoms
- Sound Tigers Trounce Lowell, Tie Franchise Record - Bridgeport Islanders
- Monarchs Sweep Flames In Harbour Station Scorefest - Manchester Monarchs
- Bulldogs extend unbeaten streak to franchise record 10 games - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Baker's Heroics Win it for Rivermen, 2-1 - Peoria Rivermen
- Commodore Recalled by Anaheim - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Crunch Sign Defenseman Jason Crain - Syracuse Crunch
- Griffins Head into Holidays with 1-0 Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Columbus Returns Pascal Leclaire to Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Tonight - Cincinnati RailRaiders
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