AHL Manchester Monarchs

Spezza Leads B-Sens By Monarchs

Published on January 21, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


BINGHAMTON, NY – Center Jason Spezza had three points (1-2=3) and his team had three power play goals as the Binghamton Senators topped the Manchester Monarchs, 4-1, and won for the eighth straight time at the sold out Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena (4,710) on Friday night. The win was the sixth straight overall for the Senators (24-14-3-2, 53 points), ranked second in the American Hockey League's East Division. The loss snapped the Monarchs (30-8-3-1, 64 points) four-game winning streak. Manchester remains three points ahead of the Hartford Wolf Pack (29-10-1-2, 61 points) in the Atlantic Division. The Wolf Pack lost to the Worcester IceCats, 4-1, on Friday night.

The Monarchs led 1-0 after one period on the strength of a power play goal from right wing Brad Smyth. Center Michael Cammalleri and defenseman Denis Grebeshkov each assisted on Smyth's 13th goal of the season, scored with the Monarchs enjoying a 5-on-3 man-advantage just 3:35 into the contest. Smyth, who had 24 goals in 69 games with the Baby Sens in 2002-03, one-timed Cammalleri's feed into the Binghamton net. The goal was his seventh on the power play this season.

Left wing Brandon Bochenski (1-1=2), the top-scoring rookie in the league, added to his league-leading total and tied the game with his 16th goal of the season, scored after a Monarchs turnover at 5:21 of the second period. Spezza had the only assist on the play.

Just over three minutes later, left wing Chris Schmidt had a chance to put the Monarchs back on top with a penalty shot, but the Monarchs captain missed his shot to the right against Binghamton netminder Ray Emery (24 shots, 23 saves).

The Senators, who entered Friday's action with the top-rated power play unit in the league, demonstrated why with two power play goals to close the period. The first power play goal went to Spezza, his 18th goal of the season, at 15:40. Center Antoine Vermette (1-1=2) and right wing Josh Langfeld (1-1=2) each assisted. The second power play goal went to Vermette, who sliced his 13th goal of the season into the Manchester net with just 19 seconds remaining in the period. Bochenski and Spezza each assisted on the third goal allowed by goaltender Adam Hauser (30 shots, 26 saves) in the period.

Langfeld had the only third period goal. He scored his 14th of the season on the power play at 15:24. Left wing Denis Hamel and center Charlie Stephens each assisted on the goal.

Thanks to his three-point night, Spezza (18-45=63) moved four points ahead of second place Cammalleri (27-32=59) in the race for the league's scoring title.

Emery (13-12-2) earned the win in net, while Hauser (10-4-0) took the loss.

Binghamton finished 3-for-7 on the power play while the Monarchs were 1-for-6.

The Monarchs next head to the Pepsi Arena to face-off against the Albany River Rats on Saturday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. After that, the Monarchs will finish up the weekend at the DCU Center in Worcester when they meet the Worcester IceCats at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, January 23.

The Monarchs next home game is scheduled for Friday, January 28 against the Portland Pirates (7:35 p.m.).

Ticket Availability: 65 (singles) seats in the Gold level and 1,000 seats in the Silver level remain for the Monarchs game against the Pirates on January 28.

80's Night With The Monarchs: Don't miss the totally awesome 80's Party following the Monarchs game against the Portland Pirates on Friday, January 28. Come party with the players in the Grand Ballroom at the Radisson Hotel. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased by calling the Monarchs at (603) 626-7825. Fans must be 21 years of age or older to attend this radical party with the players.

Fans in need of Monarchs tickets may purchase them in person at the Verizon Wireless Arena box office, at any TicketMaster location, by phone at (603) 868-7300 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. The box office opens at 10:00 a.m.

Catch all of the play-by-play action of Monarchs hockey with Ken Cail on the Monarchs Radio Network (WGIR-AM 610, Manchester; WGIN-AM 930, Rochester; WGIP-AM 1540, Exeter; WTSL-AM 1400, Lebanon) and at www.monarchshockey.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2005


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