AHL Manchester Monarchs

Streaking Monarchs Meet Bump In The Road

Published on March 20, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


MANCHESTER, NH – In a potential playoff preview, the Providence Bruins put an end to the Manchester Monarchs lengthy winning streak, holding on for a 1-0 win before a sellout crowd of 9,916 at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday night. Center Kris Vernarsky had the only goal in the game. He scored his eighth of the season by jamming left wing Darren VanOene's crease area feed by goaltender Milan Hnilicka 2:33 into the middle period. Forward Matt Herr triggered the play with a backhand pass off the left wing boards.

The Monarchs found it hard to build any momentum as they attempted to fight back from the one-goal deficit and extend their winning streak beyond seven games in the third period. In fact, the first shot for either team wasn't registered until 8:03 into the final stanza. The Monarchs finished the third with five shots against goaltender Tim Thomas (15-12-5), who finished the game with 23 total stops and his team-leading fourth shutout. The shutout was his first against the Monarchs this season.

Goaltender Milan Hnilicka (6-7-0) was the tough-luck loser in his first start since being re-assigned from the Los Angeles Kings to the Monarchs on March 18. He collected 20 saves.

The regulation loss for the Monarchs (35-22-6-5, 81 points) was their first in 15 games. They entered Saturday's action on a 10-0-2-2 tear after losing to the P-Bruins in Providence, 3-1, on February 15.

The second place Monarchs didn't lose any ground on the Atlantic Division-leading Hartford Wolf Pack (37-20-11-2, 87 points). The Wolf Pack was blanked, 1-0, by the Portland Pirates on Saturday night. The Monarchs trail the Wolf Pack by six points with two games in hand.

Saturday's game marked the 10th and final meeting between the teams during the 2003-04 regular season. The Monarchs edged the Bruins in the series by a count of 5-4-0-1.

Right wing Pavel Rosa, who began play as the AHL's scoring co-leader with 71 points (29-42=71), was held off the scoreboard for the first time in 10 games.

The Monarchs unbeaten-in-regulation streak on home ice also came to an end on Saturday. They began play with a 5-0-1-2 record in their previous eight games at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

NOTES: Nine new members were inducted into the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey during a pre-game ceremony at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday night. This year's class included: Willie Bibeau, Manchester; George Crowe, Hanover; Ron Dubreuil, Manchester; Hubie McDonough, Jr., Manchester; Tara Mounsey, Concord; Dick Osborne, Concord; Huskie Poirier, Berlin; Andre St. Laurent, Manchester; Dede Villeneuve, Berlin. The Monarchs also honored the history of hockey in the Granite State by wearing throwback jerseys featuring the crest of the Concord Budmen, a team that played senior hockey at Everett Arena in Concord from 1975-90. At the conclusion of the game, the jerseys were auctioned off, with proceeds going to The New Hampshire Legends of Hockey.

The Monarchs return to action when they host the Springfield Falcons at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, March 21. Only single seats remain for Sunday's game. For ticket information, visit the Monarchs on-line at www.monarchshockey.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2004


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