Monsters rally falls short to Springfield, 4-3
March 12, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
Lowell, Mass. - The Lowell Lock Monsters (25-31-5-6) overcame a two-goal deficit to force overtime, but fell in the shootout, 4-3 to the Springfield Falcons (22-33-3-6) at Tsongas Arena on Sunday evening.
During four-on-four action midway through the first period, Lowell struck first. Scott Kelman took a pass in the neutral zone and raced in alone on G Gerald Coleman and snapped a shot to the top corner for his third of the season at 9:09. Zdenek Blatny responded at 11:05 with his 16th of the season to tie it for Springfield. The period ended 1-1.
Jason Jaspers made it 2-1 Springfield less than a minute into the second, finishing off an odd-man rush from the bottom of the right circle. Mike Egener broke out of the penalty box a couple minutes later and raced in alone on Kowalski, burying his second of the season. Tom Lawson took over in net, with Kowalski allowing three goals on 10 shots. John Morlang notched his second of the season when his centering feed banked off a defenseman in front of the net, bringing Lowell within a goal at 9:32. The Monsters continued to pound Coleman over the remainder of the period, outshooting the Falcons 17-4 in the frame, but headed to the dressing room trailing 3-2.
Kowalski came back in to start the third for the Monsters, who eventually tied the game at three. Johnny Boychuk's blast from the left point was redirected over Coleman and in by Keith Aucoin at 9:09. Kowalski was perfect the rest of the way and the two clubs headed into overtime. With eight combined shots in the extra session, there were plenty of chances on both sides to end the game, but neither goaltender budged, and the match went to the shootout.
Aucoin scored for Lowell, but Blatny and Ryan Vesce both tallied for the visitors, and Springfield took the extra point and the win.
The Monsters have a pair of road games next Friday (Springfield) and Saturday (Manchester) before hosting Manchester on Sunday, March 19th. Game time is 4:05 p.m. That day is Guns âN Hoses night with the Monsters and the doors will open at a special time, two hours before game time. Check out the battle on the ice between the Mass. State Police and the Manchester P.D. Sundays are Family Four Pack games, featuring 4 tickets, 4 scrumptious hot dogs and 4 refreshing Pepsis for just $49. In addition, everyone in attendance is welcome to hit the ice for a free post-game skate. Complimentary skate rental is available, or fans can bring their own to the game.
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.
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