Monsters comeback falls short in shootout, 4-3
December 10, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
Providence, R.I. - Keith Aucoin scored twice for the Lowell Lock Monsters (12-12-1-3) to erase a two-goal deficit but the Portland Pirates (17-7-2-0) prevailed 4-3 in a shootout at Tsongas Arena on Saturday night.
The first period was a back and forth affair, with both teams getting power play chances and scoring opportunities, but it wasn't until the latter portion of the period that the goal scoring started. Four goals were scored in a span of just 3:14 late in the frame. A turnover behind the Monsters goal led to a shorthanded tally by the Pirates. They extended the lead on a power play when Shane O'Brien's shot found its way through traffic to the back of the net. Less than a minute later the Monsters got on the board. A goalmouth scramble was jammed in by rookie Kevin Estrada for the first AHL goal of his career. Moments later Pirates starter G Nathan Marsters left the game after taking a Pavel Brendl off the face mask. Another goal by Portland regained the two-goal advantage with 3:27 left in the period. The hitting picked up and tempers started to flare late in the period, and the Pirates held the 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
The Monsters came out with jump in the second, outshooting the Pirates 13-4 through the first 10 minutes of the period. Lowell battled, just missing on several chances, including when Ryan Steeves hit the post on a 2-on-1 just over two minutes in. Estrada's bid for his second of the night at the top of the crease was smothered by G Greg Naumenko with less than seven minutes remaining. Lowell peppered Naumenko with 21 shots in the period, with Keith Aucoin pulling the Monsters to within a goal during the final minute. He blistered a slapper that found the top shelf with 35 seconds remaining to make it 3-2 after two.
Momentum swung Portland's way in the third period. They held an early 7-2 shots lead through the opening minutes of the stanza and had a pair of power plays. A shorthanded breakaway by Steeves midway through the contest gave Lowell their first good chance to tie the game but Naumenko was equal to the task. Minutes later, Aucoin redirected a centering feed from Tomas Slovak to get the equalizer. It was Aucoin's second of the game, 12th of the season, and he now has 22 points in his last 10 games (6g-14a).
After a scoreless overtime, the Pirates and Monsters combined for 11 tallies in seven shootout rounds. The visiting Pirates scored six of them, and Naumenko's stop on Pavel Brendl ended the game.
The Monsters return to action next weekend with a Friday game in Bridgeport and a pair of home games on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, December 17th they host the Manchester Monarchs on Team Poster Night. The first 1,000 fans receive a 2005-06 Lock Monsters team poster. Also, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be in the house. Game time is 7:35 p.m. Sunday's game against Hartford features the Family Four Pack - buy 4 tickets, 4 scrumptious hot dogs and 4 refreshing Pepsis for just $49. All members of Louie's Little Monsters Kid's Club also get complimentary admission to all Sunday games. The puck drops at 4:05 p.m.
Individual tickets start at $10 and are on sale now at the Tsongas Arena box office, which is open from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Flex Packs and Holiday Hat Trick packages make great gifts for the holidays, and are on sale now. Contact the Lock Monsters ticket office at (978) 458-PUCK (7825) for more information. All games, home and away, can be heard live on 980 WCAP and viewed through B2 Networks online with the Voice of the Monsters, Ryan Johnston.
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