AHL Manchester Monarchs

Streaking Monarchs Hand IceCats Fourth Straight Setback

Published on February 9, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – Left wing Dustin Brown had two goals and goaltender Adam Hauser had 29 saves as the Manchester Monarchs ran their unbeaten in regulation streak to six games with a 4-1 win over the Worcester IceCats before 6,848 fans at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Wednesday night. The Monarchs (35-9-3-3, 76 points), 4-0-0-2 in their last six games, opened a nine-point lead over the idle Hartford Wolf Pack (32-16-1-2, 67 points) in the American Hockey League's Atlantic Division with their sixth win in seven games against the IceCats this season. The loss was the fourth straight for the fading IceCats, who have just four goals in their last four games. The IceCats (27-19-3-2, 59 points) ended play Wednesday night ranked third in the division.

The Monarchs collected the first goal in an emotional game, the first one for defenseman Brendan Buckley in Manchester since the AHL suspended him for ending the season of all-star center Yanick Lehoux.

Brown (22-28=50) stuffed home a centering feed from center Michael Cammalleri (30-40=70) while the Monarchs were enjoying power play time at 6:08 of the first period. Left wing Noah Clarke (14-26=40) also collected an assist on the 21st goal of the season for Brown. For Cammalleri, it was his team-leading 40th assist and 70th point of the season.

Buckley, who was booed by the Verizon Wireless Arena faithful every time he touched the puck, was suspended for four games after taking Lehoux out with a major penalty for clipping on January 14. Lehoux injured his knee on the play and one week later underwent season-ending surgery.

Buckley also drew the attention of defenseman Joe Rullier and right wing George Parros. Both challenged him to fights. Buckley accepted neither invitation. The result was three power play chances for the IceCats in the period.

Even with the power play time, including a 5-on-3 advantage for a full two minutes, the IceCats failed to score against the Monarchs and Hauser (30 shots, 29 saves), who improved his record to 12-4-0 on the season.

The IceCats struck for their only goal in the second period, tying the game at 1:59 when defenseman Aris Brimanis one-timed a set-up from defenseman Mike Stuart over the shoulder of Hauser. The IceCats charged into the Manchester zone after a Monarchs turnover at center ice. For Brimanis, it was his third goal against the Monarchs and fourth overall this season. Center Blake Evans also assisted on the play.

The Monarchs regained the lead later in the period with the eighth goal of the season for Parros, who deflected a blue line wrist shot from defenseman Mike Weaver into the Worcester net at 10:23. Left wing Chris Schmidt, who worked the puck out of the corner and sent it to Weaver, had the second assist on the goal.

The Monarchs added to their lead just 3:06 later with the seventh goal of the season for rookie center Matt Ryan, who took a slot feed from rookie left wing Ryan Kinasewich and deposited it past IceCats goaltender Curtis Sanford (29 shots, 25 saves). Left wing Connor James also assisted on the play. For Kinasewich, it was his first AHL point. The first-year pro agreed to terms with the Monarchs earlier in the day after spending the first part of the season with the Monarchs ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals.

Shortly after the Ryan goal, Buckley said yes to a fight with Parros at center ice, a gesture appreciated by the nearly 7,000 fans in attedance. For Parros, it was the second of three fights on the night. The second-year pro finished with a career high 37 minutes in penalties.

The Monarchs closed the scoring with a third period goal from Brown, scored on a breakaway at 13:30. Brown's second goal of the night and 22nd of the season was unassisted.

Wednesday night's contest included six fights and over 100 minutes in penalties. The two sides are due to meet again at Worcester's DCU Center on February 23. (rescheduled after the Monarchs - IceCats game on January 23 was postponed because of inclement weather).

The Monarchs return to action on Friday night when they travel to the Dunkin' Donuts Center to meet the Providence Bruins at 7:05 p.m. After taking a break for the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, set for February 13-14 at the Verizon Wireless Arena, the Monarchs return to regular season action and face the Lowell Lock Monsters on Friday, February 18 at 7:35 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Ticket Availability: 60 seats in the Gold Level and 1,000 seats in the Silver level remain for Wednesday's game against the Lock Monsters.

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 February 9, 2005


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