AHL Manchester Monarchs

Once Bitten, Twice Shore

February 23, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


Manchester (36-14-2-6) leads the Atlantic Division with 80 points. Worcester (23-25-3-1) is ranked fourth in the Atlantic Division with 50 points.

"It was a good weekend overall, but today's game was really sloppy, I thought, compared to the other two," said Monarchs Head Coach Mark Morris. "(Shore's) an intelligent individual who subtly makes good things happen on the ice because of good positioning. He's very cerebral. You're not going to see him jumping out of his jersey when he scores a goal."

The scoring started with a Monarchs power play goal at 2:20 of the opening period from center Colin Fraser. Left wing Andy Andreoff sent a pass across the Sharks blueline to fellow left wing Nick Deslauries who got off a quick wrist shot off. The puck was deflected by Fraser and soared over the left shoulder of Sharks netminder Troy Grosenick.

The Sharks answered with a goal of their own at 8:29 of the first frame. Defenseman Adam Comrie controlled the puck to the right of Monarchs netminder Mathias Niederberger and made a pass along the wall to defenseman Dylan DeMelo at the right point. DeMelo sent a quick slap shot toward the net which was initially stopped by Niederberger. The puck came loose under Niederberger's right arm and right wing Dan DaSilva scored his 12th goal of the season, gathering the loose puck and tapping it into the net, tying the game 1-1.

The Monarchs would take a 2-1 lead at 14:13 of the second period. Defenseman Derek Forbort sent a pass along the left wall of the neutral zone to right wing Steve Quailer who skated along the left face-off circle. Quailer sent a cross ice pass to Shore who scored his ninth goal of the season by faking a wrist shot and then shifting to his backhand, beating Grosenick over his right pad.

The Sharks would even the score at 2-2 at the 6:20 mark of the third period. Center Marek Viedensky sent a pass around the boards behind the Monarchs net and around to left wing Lane Scheidl near the left face-off circle. Scheidl took a quick wrist shot which was knocked down in front of Niederberger. Right wing Brodie Reid would eventually find the loose puck and get it by Niederberger's glove side for his eighth goal of the season.

At 18:53 of the third period, the Monarchs were able to take the 3-2 lead behind Shore's second goal of the game and 10th tally of the season. Forward Ian O'Connor gained control of the loose puck in the offensive zone and sent a pass to right wing Zach O'Brien in the slot. O'Brien sent a pass to Shore at the bottom of the left face-off circle who skated in and beat Grosenick on his glove side.

With the goalie pulled for the Sharks, the Monarchs would score again to seal the game at 4-2. Defenseman Jeff Schultz sent a pass along the left wing boards to Andreoff who skated into the zone and made a cross- ice pass to right wing Brian O'Neill who was open in the right face-off circle. O'Neill potted home the final goal of the night.

Niederberger (1-0-1) collected his first American Hockey League victory, stopping 30-of-32 shots he faced. Grosenick (11-9-0) took his ninth loss of the season with 15 saves on 18 shots.

Manchester was 1-for-5 on the power play. Worcester went 0-for-5 with the man advantage.

Notables: The Monarchs are undefeated in regulation in their last seven games (6-0-0-1)...Manchester collected five-of-six points in three games this weekend...The Monarchs are 6-0-0-3 against the Worcester Sharks this season...Center Colin Fraser has two goals in his last two games...Goaltender Mathias Niederberger recorded his first American Hockey League victory.

The Monarchs travel to the Norfolk Scope to take on the Norfolk Admirals at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, February 28. Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey with Ken Cail on Monarchs Radio Network WGIR AM 610, WGIRAM.com, and at manchestermonarchs.com presented by Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.



American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2014


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