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AHL Cleveland Monsters

Monsters Close Out Home Schedule With Loss

April 12, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Monsters News Release


The Lake Erie Monsters and 15,408 fans fought hard for a win to end their home schedule at Quicken Loans Arena, but came up short against the Hamilton Bulldogs, 4-1, on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs struck first when center Corey Locke launched a wrist shot into the back of the Lake Erie net at 12:38 of the opening period. The assists were credited to Jonathan Ferland and goaltender Cedrick Desjardins.

Monsters captain Wyatt Smith wasted little time letting out his inner monster as he answered the Locke tally with one of his own less than a minute later. Derek Peltier and T.J. Hensick were given the assists on Smith's 17th goal of the season. The helper for Peltier is his first career pro point.

The second period began with the Bulldogs doing their best to turn the tide and break the tie and they did so 3:32 into the frame on a goal from Matt D'Agostini. Jean-Philippe Cote and Locke were responsible for the dishes.

Neither team had much offensive success for the rest of the second period and most of the third, as the score remained 2-1.

Late in the third, Hamilton built on their lead with a successful penalty shot by Kyle Chipchura at 14:48.

To top off the scoring for the night, Locke netted a biscuit in a lonely net, giving the Bulldogs the 4-1 victory after the empty net marker.

"I think our young players did a good job this year and came a long way. We have seen three or four guys go up to Colorado and stay up there. A couple of other guys got their first taste of the NHL. Overall the AHL is all about having a strong work ethic and making it to the show. We would have liked to have had a lot more "Ws". Next year we hope that will happen," said Monsters head coach Joe Sacco.

Monsters netminder Mike Wall stopped 29 of the 32 shots that he faced on the night, while opposing goaltender Desjardins turned away 37 of 38 on the night.

The 15,408 fans in attendance on Saturday marks a franchise and season-high for the Monsters (previous: 15,132, October 6th - Opening Night) and the highest attendance total in the AHL to date this season. The previous attendance high of 15,132 had been the high water mark in the AHL this season up until Saturday.

"I think next season is going to be very exciting, everyone's going to be a year older, and more mature. We have a lot of young guys right now so that's something to be excited about. Everyone will know each other a lot more, which will create chemistry for the 08-09 season," said Wall.

The Monsters finish their inaugural season on the road as they take on the Americans Sunday night in Rochester.

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