Monsters Stage Comeback in Hartford, 3-2

Published on October 15, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Hartford, Conn. - Andrew Ladd banged in a loose puck with 5:01 left in the third period to snap a tie game and carry the Lowell Lock Monsters (2-0-0-0) to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack (0-2-0-0) on Saturday night at the Hartford Civic Center.

In a high-tempo opening period, rookie goalie Vitaly Kolesnik stood strong early, stopping 11 Hartford shots in the first eight minutes of the game. But the 15th shot of the period finally beat him, a wrist shot from the right face off circle while Lowell was on the power play to make it 1-0. Wolf Pack rookie Daniel Sparre netted his first career goal with the shorthanded tally. Shots were 16-7 Hartford in the first.

Hartford extended the lead early in the second on Jarkko Immonen's goal, which fluttered up over a fallen Kolesnik and in for his third goal of the season. At the 8:00 mark, Keith Aucoin was chopped down on a partial breakaway and awarded a penalty shot, but Bruckler was equal to the task and kicked out the opportunity. But the penalty shot woke up the Monsters offense. They quickly pulled even in shots and earned a couple of power plays, and while on a two-man advantage, Paul Healey ripped home a wrist shot from the top of the slot to make it 2-1. On their very next shot just over a minute later, the Monsters locked up the score. Craig Adams fired in his first of the season from Pavel Brendl and Johnny Boychuk to tie the game at two at 17:12.

Hartford bounced back in the third, pelting Kolesnik with shots, but the netminder from Kazakhstan stood strong, long enough for Lowell to jump in front with just five minutes to play. Andrew Ladd slammed home a loose rebound of a Chad Larose shot from the left side of the crease for the Lock Monsters first lead of the game and they held on for the win.

"It was a huge character win," said Lock Monsters Head Coach Tom Rowe. "We didn't have our ‘A' game tonight; we were a little sluggish early. But we really got our legs going in the second half of the third period."

Kolesnik stopped 34 shots in the game and kept Hartford scoreless through the final 38 minutes. "He was maybe a little nervous at the beginning of last night's game," Rowe said. "But I can see how Colorado kept him there in camp so long. He's a quality goaltender and what I like about him is that he really stands up to the shooters."

The Lock Monsters return home for a 7:35 p.m. match against the Albany River Rats on Friday, October 21st. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will get a free magnet schedule. Fans can catch all the action live on WCAP 980 with the "Voice of the Lock Monsters" Ryan Johnston.

Individual tickets 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. Full season, 20-game, mini-plans and Flex Packs are now on sale as well; contact the Lock Monsters ticket office at (978) 458-PUCK (7825) for remaining seat availability.

The Lock Monsters will donate $3 of every individual and group ticket purchased for an October home game to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief fund. The Red Cross will also be on hand to collect additional donations.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2005


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