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AHL Cleveland Monsters

Monsters Dropped in OT

January 31, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Monsters News Release


The Lake Erie Monsters dropped a close game in overtime to the San Antonio Rampage, 4-3, Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Monsters center Wyatt Smith started off the scoring on a pass from defenseman Vladimir Denisov on the power play at 12:31 of the first. Forward Philippe Dupuis was also credited with an assist. Smith's tally is his second of the season as a Monster. The power play goal marks the eighth straight game in which the Monsters have scored at least one goal on the man advantage.

The Monsters held the Rampage scoreless for the remainder of the first period, but San Antonio was not held silent in the second as they posted a marker early to begin the set. At the 1:39 mark, defenseman Travis Roche scored on a pass from center Mike Zigomanis. Also credited with an assist was left wing Matt Murley.

To retake the lead, Monsters winger David Jones took a pass from defenseman Mike Vernace in front of the blue line and forced his way into the slot with a San Antonio defender to his rear. Jones sped to the doorstep and stick handled the puck from left to right to beat Tordjman five-hole. Jones' power play score led to a scrum in the goalmouth, as he found himself uncomfortably in the back of the net with Tordjman and fortunately the puck as well.

The tally extends Jones' point streak to nine consecutive games. It also marks the fifth time that the Monsters have recorded two or more power play scores in a game this season.

"It feels great. I've been working hard and fortunately have been getting rewarded with some points. I'm pretty happy about it (the streak), but we need to keep getting some wins here. That's the important thing, to come away with some team points," said Jones.

The Monsters third goal of the game was netted by Dupuis at the 9:11 mark. Dupuis tipped it in from the right side of the net where there was a significant amount of traffic. The assists on the tally were credited to Eric Healey and Chris Stewart. Dupuis' marker is his third in as many games.

The Rampage answered quickly as left wing Jon DiSalvatore got a cross-ice pass from All-Star center Joey Tenute. DiSalvatore found the back of the net at the 10:01 mark of the third to pull San Antonio within one goal at 3-2. Right wing Enver Lisin was also given an assist.

San Antonio then followed up DiSalvatore's tally with another, to tie the game at 3-3 on a marker by left wing Chris Durno. The goal was assisted by Cam Paddock and Ryan Caldwell at the 11:32 mark. The score remained tied through the end of regulation.

Entering the overtime period, the Monsters were short a man following a slashing penalty on Brent Kelly at the 19:06 mark of the third.

The Rampage answered quickly, as Murley sent the disc in only 0:42 seconds into the extra frame. Assisting on the game-winner was defenseman Bryan Helmer and Zigomanis.

"Basically, with 4-on-3, you need a little bit of luck to kill it off. They made a nice play with a guy right in front of the goalie and he directed the puck. You need a little bit of luck because you're going to give up quality chances in that situation," said Monsters head coach Joe Sacco.

Monsters netminder Mike Wall turned away 36 of the 40 that he faced on the night. Opposing goalie Tordjman stopped 24 of 27 shots.

The Monsters look to return the favor to San Antonio Friday night at 7:30 p.m. as they face off against the same Rampage at The Q.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2008


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