AHL Manchester Monarchs

Moving On Up

Published on March 1, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


SPRINGFIED, MA - The Manchester Monarchs scored two unanswered goals to come from behind and beat the Springfield Falcons, 2-1, and move into a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic Division in front of 2,595 fans at the MassMutual Center on Sunday evening.

Manchester (29-26-0-6, 64 points) is tied for fourth place in the Atlantic Division with the Lowell Devils (28-24-2-6, 64 points) after gaining five of a possible six points in three games in three days this weekend. Springfield (19-34-7-2, 47 points) is in seventh place in the Atlantic Division.

"We took another step in the right direction today," said Head Coach Mark Morris. "We coughed one up on the power play but we regained our composure and got back to work. A real strong second period helped us get back on track and we had two real timely goals that got us back in the game."

The duo of right wing David Meckler and center Gabe Gauthier teamed up late in the second period for the go-ahead goal at 17:37. Breaking into the Falcons zone, Meckler carried the puck down the right wing wall as Gauthier went streaking to the net. Along the half wall, Meckler sent a pass to the middle of the crease for Gauthier to redirect behind goaltender Devan Dubnyk for his eighth goal of the season. Defenseman Joe Piskula picked up an assist on the goal that gave Manchester the 2-1 advantage.

The Monarchs had the first power play of the game but the Falcons capitalized with a shorthanded goal at 4:46 of the first period. Right wing Colin McDonald sprung center Geoff Paukovich for a 2-on-1 rush into the Monarchs zone. Paukovich snapped a wrist short from the inside low corner of the right face-off circle between the legs of Monarchs goaltender Jonathan Bernier. With his pads squeezed together, Bernier thought he made the save but the puck trickled over the goal line for the center's fourth tally of the season.

Meckler picked up his 13th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 at 3:27 of the middle frame. Chipping the puck out of the Monarchs zone, Meckler broke out into the neutral zone for a 2-on-1 rush with Gauthier on his left and the lone Falcons defenseman, Rob Bina, between them and the goal. Skating into the right face-off circle, Meckler's shot beat Dubnyk on his glove side, high into the right corner of the net.

"We had a strong showing in the net and we had contributions from everybody," said Morris. "It was a big team win and it's very gratifying. We still have a long way to go before we're clearly in (the playoffs). We're excited about the challenge."

Bernier (15-17-3) won his second consecutive game and 15th win with 17 saves on 18 shots. Dubnyk (15-33-1) took his 33rd loss of the season with 27 saves.

Manchester went 0-for-9 on the power play. Springfield was 0-for-5 with the man advantage.

The Monarchs return to the Verizon Wireless Arena for a three game homestand starting with a rematch with the Falcons on Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network WGAM AM 1250 and at www.manchestermonarchs.com. Watch the games live on AHL Live for just $6 per game. Log onto www.manchestermonarchs.com and click on the link to AHL Live five minutes prior to each Monarchs game to watch the game live.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2009


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