AHL Manchester Monarchs

Pellerin Nets OT Game-Winner; IceCats Take Game Two

Published on April 17, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – Left wing Scott Pellerin's goal 7:46 into overtime propelled the Worcester IceCats to a 3-2 win over the Manchester Monarchs in Game 2 of an Atlantic Division semifinal series on Saturday night. Pellerin's first goal of the playoffs frustrated the energetic crowd of 6,589 at the Verizon Wireless Arena, and gave the IceCats a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Defenseman Jame Pollock assisted on the game-winner as Pellerin tucked home his drive from the point after the puck slid between the pads of goaltender Milan Hnilicka. Center Jeff Panzer also assisted on the game-winner.

Game 3 of the series is set for 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, April 18 at the Worcester Centrum Centre.

The Monarchs collected the only goal of the opening period by taking advantage of a late power play opportunity. Defensemen Bryan Muir and Denis Grebeshkov shared assists on right wing Pavel Rosa's first postseason goal, scored with laser-like precision from the left circle with just 27 seconds remaining in the stanza. Rosa, the AHL's scoring champ with 88 points (39-49=88) in 77 regular season games, also nearly scored earlier in the period, but his right circle slap shot drilled the right post 3:01 into the frame.

The IceCats tied the game 6:03 into the middle period with a power play goal from left wing Peter Sejna, who completed an odd-man rush into the Monarchs zone with his first playoff goal. Sejna scored after his sharp-angled shot from the bottom of the right circle deflected off of the stick of defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov, and then caromed into the Manchester net. Panzer had the lone assist on the play, batting the puck back toward Sejna, who earlier had been robbed on a diving stop by Hnilicka.

The IceCats grabbed the lead with their second power play goal of the game, scored from the left point by Pollock 13:58 into the frame. Left wing Marc Brown and defenseman Trevor Byrne assisted on Pollock's first playoff goal and first of two points on the night. Pollock leads the IceCats with three points (1-2=3) in two playoff games.

The Monarchs tied the game at 2 apiece by scoring the only third period goal, and right wing Scott Barney's excellent board work led to the marker. The lanky winger cycled out of the corner, faked a shot, and then shuffled his backdoor pass to the left side of the crease. Center Yanick Lehoux took the feed and slammed it past goaltender Curtis Sanford at 7:22. Rosa collected his second point of the game (0-2=2) with an assist on the play. He leads the Monarchs with three points (1-2=3) in two playoff games.

Sanford (2-0-0) finished with 28 saves and his second series win. Hnilicka (0-2-0) finished with 26 stops.

The IceCats had two power play goals on five chances. The Monarchs were 1-for-3 with the man-advantage.

The Playoff Picture: The Monarchs travel to the Worcester Centrum Centre for Game 3 of the series, set for Sunday, April 18 at 5:05 p.m. Game 4 of the series is slated for Tuesday, April 20 at 7:05 p.m. If necessary, Game 5 of the series will be played at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Thursday, April 22 at 7:05 p.m., Game 6 of the series will be played at the Centrum Centre on Saturday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m., and Game 7 of the series will be played at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Sunday, April 25 at 4:05 p.m.

Monarchs Calder Cup Division Semifinal Schedule: Manchester (#2 seed) vs. Worcester (#3 seed)

Worcester leads the series 2 games to 0

Game 1: Thursday, April 15 – Worcester 2, Manchester 1 (Verizon Wireless Arena)

Game 2: Saturday, April 17 – Worcester 3, Manchester 2 (OT) (Verizon Wireless Arena)

Game 3: Sunday April 18, 5:05 p.m. (Worcester Centrum Centre)

Game 4: Tuesday, April 20, 7:05 p.m. (Worcester Centrum Centre)

Game 5: Thursday, April 22, 7:05 p.m. (Verizon Wireless Arena – If Necessary)

Game 6: Saturday, April 24, 7:05 p.m. (Worcester Centrum Centre – If Necessary)

Game 7: Sunday, April 25, 4:05 p.m. (Verizon Wireless Arena – If Necessary)

(Monarchs home games in bold)

Atlantic Division semifinal series ticket prices are $17.50 and $13 for adults and $10.50 for children. Semifinal tickets are on sale now at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10-6 p.m., Saturday from 10-2 p.m., with additional hours on game day. Semifinal tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (603) 868-7300, by visiting Ticketmaster on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or by visiting all Ticketmaster locations, including Filene's at the Mall of New Hampshire.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2004


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