Thompson, Senators Blank Monarchs 2-0
Published on November 21, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
BINGHAMTON, NY â Goaltender Billy Thompson gathered in 24 shots while pitching his first professional shutout, and the Binghamton Senators edged the Manchester Monarchs, 2-0, in the first-ever meeting between the two teams on Friday night before a crowd of 4,203 at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Binghamton.
The regulation loss for the Monarchs was their first since a 2-0 setback against the Hartford Wolf Pack on October 25. They entered Friday's action with a 6-0-1-1 record in their previous eight games. The win snapped the Senators two-game winless streak (0-1-1-0).
Despite the loss, the Monarchs remain in second place in the AHL's Atlantic Division with a record of 8-6-1-2 and 19 points. The division-leading Wolf Pack (9-3-3-1, 22 points) also lost on Friday night, at Providence by a score of 2-1. The win pushed the Bruins (8-6-3-0, 19 points) into a second place tie in the division with the Monarchs.
Thompson, a fifth round pick (136th overall) of the Florida Panthers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, was at his best early, stopping all 12 shots attempted by the Monarchs in the opening period. The 21-year-old, acquired by the parent Ottawa Senators for goaltender Jani Hurme in September of 2002, faced just 12 more shots the rest of the way.
Center Serge Payer and right wing Josh Langfeld were credited with the goals for the Senators, with veteran defenseman Steve Bancroft earning assists on both scores.
Payer blistered his shot past Monarchs goaltender Milan Hnilicka from the right circle just 54 seconds into the opening period. Right wing Judy Hull also assisted on Payer's fifth of the season.
Langfeld banged home a rebound for his eighth goal 17:32 into the opening stanza. Hnilicka, seeing his first action since injuring his groin against Hartford on October 25, stopped the original attempt from center Daniel Corso, but could not secure the rebound before Langfeld's arrival.
Shots were at a premium in the middle period as both teams combined to register just 11. The Senators registered their first shot of the period at 15:57 and finished with five. The Monarchs were able to muster just six shots even though they were awarded two power play opportunities in the period.
The Monarchs were outshot 10-6 in the third period as the Senators took advantage of a five-minute power play after center Jerred Smithson was assessed a boarding penalty 8:57 into the period. The Senators failed to convert on the man advantage. They finished the game 0-for-7 on the power play. The Monarchs were 0-for-3.
Hnilicka shook off a shaky start and played well down the stretch, stopping a total of 19 shots over three periods of work. His record dropped to 0-4-0 on the season.
The Monarchs, who on Friday opened a busy stretch of seven games in 10 days, return to action when they meet the Springfield Falcons at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday, November 22 at 7:35 p.m. They are then scheduled to return home to face the Falcons on Sunday, November 23 at 4:05 p.m. Sunday is Union Leader Family Value Night at the Verizon Wireless Arena, and fans can purchase four Silver Level tickets, four sodas and four hot dogs or pretzels for only $46. Check the Union Leader and the New Hampshire Sunday News for more details.
Monarchs Ticket Availability Update:
Sun., 11/23/03 vs. Springfield: Seats remaining in the Gold Level: Single seats. Seats remaining in the Silver Level: 2,000.
NOTES: Including Friday's action, the Monarchs have killed off 52 straight power play attempts over the last 10 games...The Monarchs on Friday recalled goaltender Terry Denike from the Reading Royals and loaned him to the Wichita Thunder of the Central League. The move was made to make room for goaltender Mathieu Chouinard, loaned by the Monarchs to the Royals on Thursday on a conditioning assignment. Chouinard has not played for the Monarchs since injuring his groin on October 25.
American Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2003
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- Falcons Fall to Albany, 4-2 - Springfield Falcons
- Ducks fall to Moose - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Bulldogs sink Admirals - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Thompson, Senators Blank Monarchs 2-0 - Manchester Monarchs
- Phantoms defeat Lowell 6-2 - Adirondack Phantoms
- Road Trip Perfect as Brule Leads Bears Past Penguins, 4-3, in OT - Hershey Bears
- Donato leads P-Bruins to victory - Providence Bruins
- Leafs Fall to Griffins, 3-1 - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Bears Aiming for Perfect Roady Tonight in Wilkes-Barre - Hershey Bears
- Penguins Reassign RW Steve Webb to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Abbott Hired As Monarchs Community Relations Director - Manchester Monarchs
- Big Mac To Go - Chicago Wolves
- P-Bruins announce weekly visits to Hasbro Children's Hospital - Providence Bruins
- Canucks Re-Assign Nathan Smith to Moose - Manitoba Moose
- Griffins' Captain Richards Teams with Fuel Systems to Help Children - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Nashville Recalls Pivko - Milwaukee Admirals
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Preview - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Griffins Host Fourth Teddy Bear Toss - Grand Rapids Griffins
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