Monsters hold on against Norfolk, 5-3

March 4, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Lowell, Mass. - Keith Aucoin scored twice and added an assist to lead the Lowell Lock Monsters (24-28-5-5) to a 5-3 victory over the Norfolk Admirals (32-22-3-4) at Tsongas Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Monsters took the lead on a delayed penalty at 5:46 of the opening period. Krys Kolanos took a rebound and fired it in off G Mike McKenna for his eighth of the season. Newcomer Scott Kelman picked up the lone assist. Keith Aucoin made it 2-0 on the power play, finishing a series of passes from Anton Babchuk and Andrew Ladd. Babchuk gave the home team a 3-0 advantage at 13:15. A wraparound on another power play with 1:28 remaining put Lowell up by a 4-0 advantage and chased McKenna from the pipes.

Norfolk got on the board with a goal by former UMass player Carl Corazzini just 61 seconds into the middle frame. The Monsters were caught leaning toward center ice when a turnover found Jason Morgan alone in front of G Craig Kowalski, and he buried a backhander to cut the lead to 4-2, nine minutes later. Replacement G Cory Crawford had a strong period in the cage for the Admirals, turning aside 16 Lock Monsters shots in the frame.

The Admirals cut the deficit to just one with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. Martin St. Pierre potted his 18th of the season from between the circles to make it 4-3. Meanwhile, Crawford cruised along, stopping numerous power play chances by Lowell in the third and denying Leon Hayward on a partial breakaway. He finished the night a perfect 25 of 25. Norfolk pulled Crawford for an extra attacker on a last-ditch effort to get the equalizer, but Andrew Ladd finished them off with the empty net tally.

On Sunday, the Monsters host the Albany River Rats at 4:05 p.m. All Sunday games feature the Family Four Packs - get 4 tickets, 4 scrumptious hot dogs and 4 refreshing Pepsi for just $49. There's also a free post game skate on the Tsongas Arena ice for everyone in attendance. Complimentary skate rental is available or fans may bring their own skates.

All games home and away can be heard live on 980 WCAP, and viewed through B2 Networks, the official broadband provider of the AHL, with the "Voice of the Lock Monsters" Ryan Johnston. Log on to www.lockmonsters.com to watch or listen online.

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 group outings are on sale now; contact the Lock Monsters ticket office at (978) 458-PUCK (7825) for more information.



American Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2006


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