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AHL Cleveland Monsters

Monsters Terrify Amerks in Second Straight

January 26, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Monsters News Release


The Lake Erie Monsters scored four unanswered goals to finish off the Rochester Americans, 7-2, at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday night in front of 9,128 strong. It was the second win in as many nights against the Amerks, the first coming in a shootout in Rochester on Friday.

The Americans began the scoring with a tally from centerman David Brine at the 8:11 mark of the first. Brine was assisted by Mike Weber and Anthony Stewart, the older brother of Monsters forward Chris Stewart.

The Monsters had no answer for the Amerks initial goal until the second period when Stewart redirected a Dale Purinton shot from the left point at the 1:32 mark. Also credited with an assist was Jeff Jillson.

"We responded well after a slow start in the first period. We have guys on this team who are capable of putting up points. We started skating better in the second and third period as we found our legs. We began taking control of the game," said Monsters head coach Joe Sacco

Stewart's tally began the scoring front and his teammates followed suit. T.J. Hensick found the back of the net on a pass from David Jones at the 4:48 mark. Jamie Lundmark added the second helper on Hensick's goal.

The scoring barrage continued as J.D. Corbin netted a biscuit of his own at the 5:59 mark. The lone assist was credited to Hensick. Corbin's goal marks the first time in Monsters franchise history that the team has scored three goals in a stretch of less than five minutes in any period (4:27 - 2nd period).

Rochester tried their mightiest to thwart the Monsters scoring threat as left wing Dylan Hunter scored his ninth of the season at the 8:36 mark of the second. Hunter was assisted by Mark Mancari.

The Monsters dusted off the Amerks attempt to turn the game around as Philippe Dupuis sliced through the zone on his way to the doorstep. Dupuis moved left to right to shield the two defenseman and found himself alone with Amerks tender Adam Dennis on his heels. Dupuis's goal at the 11:18 mark was assisted by Wyatt Smith and Stewart. His tally also marks his second goal in as many games.

Following the Monsters fourth tally, the Amerks replaced starting goaltender Dennis with his backup Tyler Plante after Dennis allowed four goals on 10 shots in 31:18.

Plante got the same welcoming reception from the Monsters as Dennis received, as Darcy Campbell's slapper from the left point burned the back of the net before Plante even noticed it left Campbell's stick. The goal gave the Monsters a 5-2 lead and it concluded the five-goal streak in the period. Credited with the assists at the 16:53 mark of the second were Mike Vernace and David Jones. The goal was Campbell's first as a Monster.

To begin the third, the Monsters kept their foot on the accelerator as Brad Richardson got in on the scoring with a short-handed goal off a pass from Jeff Friesen at the 3:22 mark.

To cap off the Monsters scoring for the night (four unanswered), Stewart buried the disc on the power play to add to his team-leading 15th goal of the campaign, giving him three points on the night. Stewart received the pass cross-circle by Friesen, who added his second assist of the game. Hensick was credited with the assist, which added to his two points from earlier in the contest, finishing with three on the evening.

"It was a big win for the team. We brought a lot of momentum the last few games and we look to continue growing as a team. We are going to come back stronger in the second half as we work at becoming a better team each night," said Stewart

Monsters goaltender Mike Wall made 25 stops on the 27 shots he faced to get the win. Opposing netminders Dennis and Plante combined to turn away 18 of the 25 shots on the night.

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