Under-Manned Monarchs Lose To Admirals
Published on February 28, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
NORFOLK, Virginia - The Norfolk Admirals, aided by Brett McLean's three points and the largest crowd of the season at the Scope, surged past the short-handed Manchester Monarchs, 4-1, on Friday night in Norfolk, Virginia. The Monarchs, victims of two more call-ups by the Los Angeles Kings, skated in Friday's game with just nine forwards. Earlier in the day, left wings Derek Bekar and Ryan Flinn joined seven other Manchester players on recall with the NHL club. The loss was the first suffered by the Monarchs on their season-long 10-game road trip, and it extended the team's season-long winless streak to six games. The win was just the second in nine games for the Admirals, who lead the Western Conference's South Division.
The Admiral took advantage of the Monarchs depleted lineup in the opening period, scoring twice while unloading 15 shots in the direction of netminder Travis Scott, who was making his season high fifth consecutive start. McLean had a goal and an assist in the opening 20 minutes, and his goal broke the ice nearly 12 minutes into the contest. Scott made a skate save on McLean's initial attempt from the slot, but the rebound bounced over to Brandin Cote, who neatly slid the puck back to the wide-open McLean for the finish at 11:54. McLean's assist on Mike Peluso's team-leading 20th goal gave the Admirals a 2-0 lead just under two minutes later at 13:45.
McLean was awarded his third goal, and his fifth point, in the Admirals two-game set with the Monarchs mid-way through the middle period. Defenseman Tomas Zizka, pressured by McLean, blindly tossed the puck in front of the Monarchs net on the power play. His backhand pass clipped Scott's skate blade and deflected into the net at 8:49. McLean, the last Norfolk player to touch the puck, was credited with his 17th goal overall. McLean totaled one goal and one assist for the Admirals when the same two teams skated to a 3-3 draw on Wednesday night at the Scope.
Defenseman Joe Rullier's first goal of the season spoiled the shutout bid of Admirals netminder Craig Andersson, who finished with 17 saves. Rullier's blast from the left circle at 14:33 of the third period was just the Monarchs eighth goal in the past six games. Dan Welch assisted on the play.
Igor Radulov's empty net goal at 19:34 closed the scoring.
The Monarchs (30-17-9-3, 72 points) continue their season-long 10-game road trip when they travel to Giant Center for a meeting with the Hershey Bears on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. The Monarchs next home game is set for Friday, Mar. 14 against the Lowell Lock Monsters at the Verizon Wireless Arena at 7:35 p.m. Only a few hundred tickets remain for that game. For Monarchs ticket information, call (603) 626-7825.
NOTES: The Los Angeles Kings on Friday recalled left wings Derek Bekar and Ryan Flinn, leaving the Monarchs with just nine healthy forwards...The Kings also placed Steve Heinze, who opened the 2002-03 season with the Monarchs, on the injured reserve list with a concussion...Bekar, 27, has appeared in 36 games for the Monarchs this season recording 21 points (9g, 12a) and 34 penalty minutes...The 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Burnaby, British Columbia, began the season with the Kings appearing in four games with zero points and four penalty minutes...Flinn, 22, has played 27 games for the Monarchs this season recording four points (2g, 2a) and 95 penalty minutes...The 6-foot-5, 248-pound native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, appeared in one game earlier this season with the Kings and had zero points and five penalty minutes. Goaltender Travis Scott needed just 18 minutes on Friday to surpass 10,000 career minutes in the American Hockey League. After Friday, Scott is just 146 minutes away from 15,000 in his seven-year professional career. Scott made his sixth straight start on Friday, a team season high. Center Steve Kelly reached 200 career AHL points with his two goals against the Norfolk Admirals on Wednesday night.
American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2003
- Bulldogs Capture Division after 4-2 Win over Philadelphia - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Griffins Remain Hot with 3-2 Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Under-Manned Monarchs Lose To Admirals - Manchester Monarchs
- Moose Drop Flames, 4-2 - Saint John Flames
- Pirates Sink 'Cats, 4-1 - Worcester IceCats
- Phantoms lose 4-2 at Hamilton - Adirondack Phantoms
- Sound Tigers Lose 5-4 At Home To Hershey - Bridgeport Islanders
- Bulldogs win first division title - AHL
- Brigley sparks Ducks to win over Lock Monsters - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Canucks recall Reid - Manitoba Moose
- Bulldogs Involved in More Transactions - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Trio Returns To Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
- Wolves Promote 'Read to Succeed' Program - Chicago Wolves
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Tonight - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Barons Add Watson On Loan - Cleveland Barons
- Botterill and Hecl Recalled by Buffalo - Rochester Americans
- Falcons Fodder - Springfield Falcons
- Red Wings Trio United at Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids Griffins
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- Maple Leafs Weekend Preview - Toronto Marlies
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