Monstrous effort falls short against Manchester, 2-1
April 15, 2006 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
Lowell, Mass. - The Manchester Monarchs (42-30-3-4) scored twice in the first period and held on to edge the Lowell Lock Monsters (28-37-6-8) 2-1 at the Tsongas Arena on Saturday night.
The first period was a defensive battle with plenty of physical action. Blue Bennefield brought the Monsters fans to their feat early in the stanza by squaring off with Tim Jackman. Ryan Murphy put Manchester on the board first by sending a redirected feed past Monsters rookie G Kris Mayotte at 12:55. They extended the lead with a power play tally at 15:18 by Connor James, who rapped in a loose puck from the top of the crease. The Monarchs took the 2-0 lead into the dressing room through 20 minutes, and also held a 9-7 lead in shots.
Midway through the second period the Monsters went on the power play as James was assessed a five-minute highsticking major, but they could not take advantage. They continued to pressure, and Keith Aucoin finally beat G Barry Brust. His wrister from the left circle tickled the twine for his team-leading 27th of the season at 17:10. It was career point number 99 for Aucoin in a Monsters jersey. The second round of fisticuffs came as the buzzer sounded in the second, with Jackman going with the Monsters Scott Kelman.
Lowell surged in the third period, taking 14 shots on goal before the 10-minute mark and a total of 22 in the third. Kelman alone had three marvelous chances on one shift with about five minutes remaining. But Brust was equal to the task. He finished the night with 39 shots en route to First Star honors. His Monarchs, meanwhile, managed just four shots on goal in the third period. The Monsters pulled their goalkeeper for the extra attacker, but it was all for not, and Manchester took the narrow victory.
Monsters Notes: The Lowell fans had a chance to show their appreciation for Monsters Head Coach Tom Rowe prior to the start of tonight's game. Team owner Elkin McCallum joined Rowe and his wife on the ice for a special personalized Lock Monsters jersey presentation, in recognition for his role in starting up the franchise from it's inception ten years ago. It was announced last week that with the Carolina Hurricanes affiliation shifting to Albany next season, this would be Rowe's last campaign with the club.
The Monsters put the finishing touches on the 2005-06 season tomorrow with a 4:05 p.m. contest against the Providence Bruins. After the game, Season Ticket Holders are welcome to join the team in the Club Room behind Section T after the game until 9:00 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale now at the Tsongas Arena box office, or contact the Lock Monsters ticket office at (978) 458-PUCK (7825) for tickets or more information.
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.
American Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2006
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