AHL Manchester Monarchs

Royal Review

Published on December 15, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS vs. Utah (12/12): In his first game in a Manchester Monarchs uniform, left wing Brad Church scored to help the Monarchs tie the Utah Grizzles, 2-2. Right wing Sam Ftorek also put up his first tally of the season for the Monarchs. Goaltender Adam Hauser made 24 saves on the night. Right wing Pavel Rosa saw his nine-game point streak come to an end, as he did not record a point versus Utah. Rosa had 13 points (6-7=13) during the streak. vs. Bridgeport (12/13): Center Steve Kelly had the lone goal for the Monarchs as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers squeezed past the Monarchs, 2-1, at the Arena at Harbor Yard, extending their unbeaten streak to 19 games. Former Monarchs left wing Derek Bekar played a part in both goals scored by the Sound Tigers. Defenseman Mattias Timander scored the game winner at 15:11 of the third period. Goaltender Adam Hauser stopped 24 of the 26 shots he faced.

TEAM NOTES Adam Hauser's 1.72 goals against average ranks fifth best in the AHL among goaltenders with at least five appearances. His .933 save percentage ranks sixth best in the league among goaltenders with at least five appearances.

The Monarchs scored seven goals against the Providence Bruins on November 29, providing more than enough support for Hauser, who earned his third shutout of the season with 20 saves. The Monarchs have scored just four goals for Hauser over his last three appearances. Hauser is 0-2-1 in the three appearances despite allowing just six goals to the opposition during that time span.

Hauser has held the opposition to two goals or less in nine of his 12 appearances this season. The Monarchs are 5-2-2-0 in those games.

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TEAM NOTES (Continued)

Center Steve Kelly was assessed five minor penalties against the Utah Grizzlies on December 12. The rest of the Monarchs were assessed four penalties (3 minors and 1 major) in the game. Kelly's infractions included minors for interference, hooking, cross checking, unsportsmanlike conduct and high sticking. Kelly is the only player in the AHL to receive five minor penalties in one game this season.

Kelly and left wing Brad Church, teammates with the Western Hockey League's Prince Albert Raiders from 1993-96, were reunited for the first time since their junior hockey days last weekend. Kelly, drafted sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1995, and Church, drafted 17th overall by the Washington Capitals in 1995, skated on the same line in games against the Utah Grizzlies (December 12) and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (December 13). Kelly had one goal and one assist in the two games, extending his overall point streak to three games (2-1=3). Church had one goal, which represented his 250th professional point.

Kelly, Church and defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov, currently skating with the Los Angeles Kings, are all former No. 1 draft picks from 1995 currently in the Kings system. The Detroit Red Wings selected Kuznetsov, who skated in three games with the Monarchs earlier this season, with the 26th overall pick in 1995. The Kings acquired Kuznetsov in a deal that sent defenseman Mathieu Schneider to the Red Wings on March 11, 2003.

Defenseman Bryan Muir was assessed four of the eight Monarchs penalties in their game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on December 13. Muir's infractions included minors for tripping (twice), high sticking and unsportsmanlike conduct. Muir leads all AHL defensemen with 23 points (6-17=23). His 17 assists are tied for first and his six goals are tied for second in the league.

Defenseman Richard Seeley's plus-13 rating is tied for first in the AHL among defensemen.

Right wing Sam Ftorek, the son of former NHL coach Robbie Ftorek, scored his first AHL goal against the Utah Grizzlies on December 12. The game was Ftorek's 317th as a professional and sixth in the AHL.

Right wing Pavel Rosa's nine-game point streak ended against the Utah Grizzlies on December 12. Rosa, who leads the Monarchs with 31 points (10-21=31), entered the weekend with 13 points (6-7=13) during the streak, which equaled the longest in the AHL this season. Rosa ranks third in the AHL with 31 points and second in the league with 21 assists.

Right wing Scott Barney is scoreless in his last four games. Prior to the scoring drought, Barney, who leads the Monarchs with 13 goals, had at least one point in seven straight contests. Barney totaled 12 points (5-7=12) during the streak.

Left wing Noah Clarke ranks second among AHL rookies in goals (9), assists (14) and points (23). His plus-12 plus/minus rating leads all first-year players in the league.

The Monarchs are winless on the road since their 6-3 win over the Springfield Falcons on November 22. They are 0-4-0-0 in their last four games away from the Verizon Wireless Arena, equaling a franchise record for the longest road losing streak. The Monarchs also lost four straight road games from March 7 to March 12, 2003.

The Monarchs are winless in three straight games overall (0-2-1-0), matching their longest winless streak of the season. The Monarchs were also winless in three games (0-2-0-1) from October 17 to October 19, 2003.

The Monarchs lead the AHL with an average of 8,639 fans after 16 home games. The AHL average for attendance is 5,066 per contest.

The Monarchs are without a win in each of their last six overtime games (0-3-3) dating back to the 2002-03 season. The Monarchs last won in overtime when they beat the Albany River Rats, 4-3, at the Verizon Wireless Arena on March 23, 2003. They are 0-2-2 in four overtime games this season.

Even though the Monarchs have been held to just four goals in their last three games, they still lead the AHL with a 3.04 goals per game average.

TICKET AVAILABILITY FOR UPCOMING MONARCHS GAMES

Sat., Dec. 27 vs. Worcester: Seats remaining in the Gold Level: Single seats. Seats remaining in the Silver Level: 1,500.

Sun., Dec. 28 vs. Hartford: Seats remaining in the Gold Level: Single seats. Seats remaining in the Silver Level: 2,400.

Sun., Dec. 31 vs. Hartford: Seats remaining in the Gold Level: Single seats. Seats remaining in the Silver Level: Single seats.

MONARCHS PROMOTIONS CAP NIGHT WITH THE MONARCHS – The first 5,000 fans attending the Monarchs 7:35 p.m. contest against the Worcester IceCats on Saturday, December 27 will receive a free Monarchs hat, sponsored by Executive Health & Fitness.

TRADING CARD NIGHT/UNION LEADER FAMILY VALUE NIGHT – The first 5,000 fans attending the Monarchs game against the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday, December 28 at 4:05 p.m. will receive a free Monarchs trading card set, courtesy of the New Hampshire Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Also, be sure to check the Union Leader and the New Hampshire Sunday News all next week for a Union Leader Family Value Night coupon. With the coupon, fans can purchase the Union Leader Family Series package, which includes four Silver Level tickets, four sodas and four hot dogs or pretzels for only $46. See the Monarchs on the 28th and save over $30 thanks to the Union Leader and the New Hampshire Sunday News.

MONARCHS IN THE COMMUNITY

On Tuesday, December 16 left wing Ryan Flinn and right wing George Parros will help with Manchester Flames Squirt 1 youth hockey practice from 6-7 p.m. at the JFK Ice Arena. Flinn and Parros will be available to sign autographs after practice.

Also on Tuesday, center Steve Kelly and left wing Brad Church will be at Sullivan Arena on the campus of St. Anselm to help with the Manchester Flames PW 3 youth hockey practice and sign autographs from 8-9 p.m.

The Monarchs also have public appearances scheduled for after the holidays.

Two players will be at Cawley Middle School from 12-1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13 to talk to the students about setting and achieving goals as part of the Monarchs Goals For Success Program.

Four Monarchs players will dine and sign autographs at The Wild Rover in Manchester on Wednesday, January 14 from 6-8 p.m.

A LOOK AHEAD (all times EASTERN) Day Date Opponent (Time) Radio (Time) Television (Time) Fri. 12/19 @ Utah (9:05 p.m.) WGIR-AM (8:35 p.m.)* Sat. 12/20 @ Utah (9:05 p.m.) WGIR-AM (8:35 p.m.)*

Fri. 12/26 @ Providence (7:05 p.m.) WGIR-AM (6:35 p.m.)*

Sat. 12/27 WORCESTER (7:35 p.m.) WGIR-AM (7:05 p.m.)* CN8 – Comcast (7:00 p.m.)

*Web casts of Monarchs games are also available at www.monarchshockey.com/multimedia

A LOOK BACK Day Date Opponent Result Monarchs Goals Monarchs Goalie (Saves/Shots)

Fri. 12/12 UTAH 2-2 T Church, Ftorek Hauser (24/26)

Sat. 12/13 @ Bridgeport 2-1 L Kelly Hauser (24/26)

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American Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2003


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