Nastiuk wins his first in shootout thriller, 3-2

Published on November 19, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release


Manchester, NH - Kevin Nastiuk turned aside 36 shots in regulation and overtime, and stopped 10 of 12 in the shootout to pick up his first career victory for the Lowell Lock Monsters (9-7-0-2) over the Manchester Monarchs (9-3-0-2) at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday night. Lowell jumped past idle Hartford and slid into a tie for second place in the division with Manchester.

Lowell took the 1-0 advantage on their first shot of the hockey game. Colin Forbes' power play tally at 6:22 gave him four on the season and the gave the Monsters a four-game scoring streak with the man advantage. The power play for Lowell was the story of the opening frame, as the Monarchs were shorthanded four times in the stanza. They were shorthanded by two men when Forbes struck again for the Monsters. His fifth of the season at 13:04 made it 2-0 in favor of the visiting Lock Monsters. Lowell took the 2-0 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes, but not before their penalty troubles started to mount.

Three consecutive penalties in the waning moments of the first led to a two-man advantage for the Monarchs to start the second. Brad Smyth cashed in just 31 seconds into the frame to put Manchester on the board. Lowell was shorthanded three more times in the period and spent much of the period on the defensive. G Kevin Nastiuk turned aside 18 shots in the period, as Lowell was outshot 19-5, to hold the 2-1 lead.

Lowell had a chance to push the lead to two in the third frame, but Ryan Steeves' wraparound attempt slid harmlessly through the crease. That play came back to bite the Monsters, as about four minutes later the Monarchs tied it up. Steve Tambellini's one-timer from the top of the slot sailed past Nastiuk for the equalizer with less than nine minutes left on the board. Still tied at the end of regulation, this became Nastiuk's third consecutive start that went to an extra session.

And with no scoring in the overtime period, the Monsters and Monarchs went to the shootout. Chad Larose for the Monsters and Tambellini for Manchester both lit the lamp in the first round of five. In the sudden death rounds, two Monarchs rang shots off the iron and Keith Aucoin chipped a shot that rolled up Brust's shoulder and settled on top of the goal line to keep it going. Tambellini appeared to end it in sudden death, but when it was ruled he shot illegally, the contest continued. Paul Healey then gave the Monsters the lead, but was answered immediately by rookie Konstantin Pushkarev. Keith Aucoin again gave Lowell the lead and Nastiuk's pad save on Noah Clarke secured the win in the 12th round.

Monsters rookie LW Andrew Ladd, who scored twice in Friday's game against Portland, did not dress for the game, awaiting a likely recall by the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday morning.

The Monsters return to Lowell to complete the home and home series with the Monarchs on Sunday. That game features the annual Hannaford Food Drive. Anyone bringing in a Hannaford-bran non-perishable food item will receive two tickets to the Monsters home game on December 7th. All proceeds will go toward Catholic Charities of Merrimack Valley. Game time is 4:05 p.m.

After the game, there's a free post-game skate on the ice at Tsongas Arena. Skate rental and the ice time is free to everyone in attendance at the game. That night is also the first Louie's Little Monsters Kid's Club Game. All members of Louie's Little Monsters, sponsored by Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, receive free admission to all Sunday home games. Contact Chase Runyon at the Lock Monsters office at (978) 458-PUCK for more information, or to sign up your little monster! Sunday is also the first Family Fourpack game. Families can get two adult tickets and two children's tickets, plus four hot dogs and four sodas for only $49. Contact the Lock Monsters office for more information. All games home and away can be heard live on 980 WCAP 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. All games, home and away, can be heard live on 980 WCAP with the Voice of the Monsters, Ryan Johnston.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2005


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