Ouellet Nets Two As Penguins Edge Monarchs
January 7, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
MANCHESTER, NH â The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins beat the Manchester Monarchs, 2-1, in their first-ever meeting at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Wednesday night. Right wing Michel Ouellet had a pair of goals and goaltender Andy Chiodo finished with 24 saves as the Penguins put an end to the Monarchs two-game winning streak, much to the dismay of the 7, 312 fans that attended the game.
Ouellet collected his fourth game-winning goal of the season with 3:13 remaining in the third period after hammering a long rebound by goaltender Adam Hauser. Ouellet's shot tipped off the stick of defenseman Tomas Zizka and redirected into the net moments after Hauser had kicked away defenseman Ross Lupaschuk's bid from the crease. Left wing Matt Murley also assisted on Ouellet's team-leading 18th goal.
The teams skated through a scoreless opening period, mostly because neither side was able to finish effectively. Center Esa Pirnes and forward Michael Cammalleri combined for the Monarchs best scoring chance of the period, with Cammalleri feeding Pirnes from the corner. After receiving the pass, Pirnes snapped a low shot targeted for the left corner. Chiodo reached back to snare the puck just before it crossed the goal line.
The Los Angeles Kings assigned Pirnes, their sixth-round pick (174th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, to the Monarchs on Monday. Wednesday's game was his first since suffering a concussion while skating with the Kings against the Phoenix Coyotes on Nov. 27.
The Penguins gained the lead with Ouellet's 17th goal, scored 3:57 into the middle period. The Pittsburgh Penguins fourth-round (124th overall) pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft took left wing Murley's centering pass and lifted it over the glove of Hauser. Center Kris Beech also had an assist on the play.
The Monarchs responded to the first Ouellet tally with a goal of their own, scored on the power play by Zizka at 5:35 of the period. Zizka took center Steve Kelly's offering and blasted away from the left circle. His laser-like shot whistled over the blocker of Chiodo and into the net. Defenseman Bryan Muir also assisted on Zizka's third goal this season.
Muir and Kelly were named to the Canadian AHL All-Star team, announced earlier in the day. Both will represent the Monarchs when the Canadian All-Stars meet the PlanetUSA All-Stars at the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic, set for February 8-9 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Kelly's point was his 132nd as a Monarch. The eighth-year pro entered play tied with former Monarchs left wing Eric Healey for the team's all-time points lead. Including Wednesday's action, Kelly has 40 goals, 92 assists and 132 points in 133 career AHL regular season games with the Monarchs. Healey, who is now property of the Atlanta Thrashers plays with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, had 66 goals, 65 assists and 131 points in 140 career AHL regular season games with the Monarchs from 2001-03.
The Monarchs return to action on Friday, January 9 when they travel to Portland to meet the Pirates at 7:05 p.m. After Friday's trip, the Monarchs return to the Verizon Wireless Arena for a pair of weekend games against the Lowell Lock Monsters and the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Monarchs host the Lock Monsters at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, January 10 and the Wolf Pack at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, January 11. The first 5,000 fans attending Sunday's game will receive a free Ryan Flinn Bobblehead Doll, courtesy of Pepsi.
Monarchs Ticket Availability as of January 7
Sat., Jan. 10 vs. Lowell: Only 500 seats remain.
Sun., Jan. 11 vs. Hartford: Only 350 seats remain.
American Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2004
- Ouellet Nets Two As Penguins Edge Monarchs - Manchester Monarchs
- "Tip-A-Bruin" night raises over $800 - Providence Bruins
- Phantoms edge Hamilton 3-2 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Hamilton loses decision to Phantoms - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Maple Leafs Recall Wellwood from St. John's - Toronto Marlies
- Eric Perrin Named as Starter for Canadian AHL All-Star Team - Hershey Bears
- Kings Activate Laperriere And Cechmanek - Manchester Monarchs
- Maple Leafs Prepare for 1000th Game Celebrations - Toronto Marlies
- Chilly, Puck Pals get together Sunday - Houston Aeros
- Lynch Named to AHL Canadian All-Star Team - Edmonton Road Runners
- Rampage's Beaudoin Selected to AHL All-Star Game - San Antonio Rampage
- Dan Jancevski Named a Starter for the 2004 AHL All-Star Game - Utah Grizzlies
- Murphy, Upshall named All-Stars - Milwaukee Admirals
- Benoit Gratton voted starter for Canadian AHL All-Star Team - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Dubielewicz & Smith Named AHL All-Stars - Bridgeport Islanders
- Wellwood & Colaiacovo Named to Canadian AHL All-Star Team - Toronto Marlies
- Grizzlies and Stars Swap Goaltenders - Utah Grizzlies
- Aaron Johnson Named to Canadian AHL All-Star Team - Syracuse Crunch
- Canadian AHL All-Star Roster Revealed - Worcester IceCats
- Law named to Canadian AHL All-Star team - Adirondack Phantoms
- Wade-ing In, All Guns Blazing - OSC Original by Alan Clark
- LeNeveu Named Canadian AHL All-Star - Springfield Falcons
- Emery Named To Canadian All-Star Team - Binghamton Senators
- IceCats Introduce New Website Features - Worcester IceCats
- Brandon Reid Named to All-Star Classic - Manitoba Moose
- Muir, Kelly To Represent Canada At 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic - Manchester Monarchs
- Robinson Named to Canadian AHL All-Star Team - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Canadian AHL All-Star Team announced - AHL
- Wanvig named to All-Star Team - Houston Aeros
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- P-Bruins host "Tip-A-Bruin" tonight - Providence Bruins
- Gord Dineen Retirement Night Set for January 17th at the 'E'Center - Utah Grizzlies
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