AHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Win Atlantic Division And Eastern Conference Titles

Published on April 17, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


WORCESTER, MA – Goaltender Mathieu Garon made 29 saves as the Manchester Monarchs skated past the Worcester IceCats, 2-1, for their first ever Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference championships, before a crowd of 10,211 at the DCU Center on Sunday afternoon. The Monarchs closed out the 2004-05 regular season with a record of 51-21-4-4 and 110 points. They will host the Providence Bruins in the first round of the 2005 Calder Cup playoffs starting Friday, April 22 at 7:35 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Left wing Noah Clarke started the scoring for the Monarchs with his 21st goal of the season at 11:41 of the first period. Defenseman Mike Weaver shoveled a pass to Clarke just inside the IceCats blueline and Clarke riffled the puck past Worcester goaltender Curtis Sanford. Right wing Tom Kostopoulos also assisted on the play.

Defenseman Denis Grebeshkov scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway as he stepped out of the penalty box to a perfect pass from center David Hymovitz. Kostopoulos added an assist to Grebeshkov's fifth of the year at 17:50 of the first period.

The IceCats lone goal came at 8:23 of the final period as center Brendan Brooks was able to poke the puck free from a scramble in front of the net and past Garon for his 20th goal of the season. Left wings D.J. King and Brian McCullough assisted on the goal.

With the win, Garon finished the season with a record of 32-14-4. Sanford (19-25-2) took the loss, his 25th of the season, stopping 21 shots.

Manchester and Worcester each went 0-for-1 on the power play.

Sunday's game marked the 10th and final meeting between the teams this season. In the 10 games, the Monarchs posted a record of 7-3-0-0. Sunday's game was the final game in history for the IceCats as the franchise is moving to Peoria, Illinois next season. The Monarchs have a record of 18-14-4 (ties) in 36 all-time meetings with the IceCats over the last four years (2001-05).

The Monarchs meet the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs, they'll begin a best-of-seven series at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Friday, April 22.

Round 1 / Series A vs. Providence
Game 1 - Friday, April 22 @ Manchester, 7:35 p.m.
Game 2 - Saturday, April 23 @ Manchester, 7:35 p.m.
Game 3 - Monday, April 25 @ Providence, 7:05 p.m.
Game 4 - Wednesday, April 27 @ Providence, 7:05 p.m.
Game 5 - Thursday, April 28 @ Manchester, 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Game 6 - Saturday, April 30 @ Providence, 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)
Game 7 - Monday, May 2 @ Manchester, 7:05 p.m. (if necessary)

Tickets for the 2005 Calder Cup playoffs will go on sale on Monday, April 18 at 9:30 a.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office.

Starting on Monday, first round playoff tickets will also be available by calling Ticketmaster at (603) 868-7300, or by visiting Ticketmaster on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Fans will also be able to purchase first round playoff tickets at all Ticketmaster locations, including Filene's at the Mall of New Hampshire.

Playoff ticket prices will be $18.50 for adults in the Gold level and $13.25 for adults in the Silver level of the Verizon Wireless Arena, $16.50 for seniors (65 and older) in the Gold level and $11.25 for seniors in the Silver level and $10.75 for youth tickets (12 and under) in both levels. For group and birthday party pricing during the 2005 Calder Cup playoffs, contact the Monarchs at (603) 626-7825.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2005


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