AHL Manchester Monarchs

Zizka Credited with Game-Winner; Monarchs Push Win Streak to Seven

Published on March 19, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


LOWELL, MA – The Manchester Monarchs extended their season-best winning streak to seven games in dramatic fashion on Friday night at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, edging the Lowell Lock Monsters, 4-3, in overtime before an announced crowd of 5,522. Defenseman Tomas Zizka redirected defenseman Bryan Muir's center point wrist shot into the net 3:11 into the extra session, putting the finishing touches on a bizarre O.T. that included two minor penalties. Rookie left wing Noah Clarke also assisted on Zizka's first game-winner this season. The goal was his fourth overall.

The game-winning goal came moments after it appeared the Monarchs would be short-handed for a second time in overtime. They began the extra session down a man after being assessed a bench minor for objects on the ice at the 20-minute mark of the third period.

Seconds after killing off the bench minor, defenseman Richard Seeley was hit with a suspect hooking call. But, before the officials could drop the puck, the Monarchs called for a measurement of left wing Tomas Kurka's stick, which was found to be illegal. The resulting penalty meant that both teams returned to 4-on-4 skating. Zizka potted the game-winner 29 seconds later.

With the win, the second place Monarchs (35-21-6-5, 81 points) moved two points closer to the Atlantic Division-leading Hartford Wolf Pack (37-19-11-2, 87 points), who lost 1-0 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday night in Hartford. They also stayed five points in front of the third place Worcester IceCats (31-24-11-3, 76 points), who beat the Portland Pirates, 4-0, on Friday night.

The win also extended the Monarchs unbeaten-in-regulation streak to 14 games (10-0-2-2) and the Monarchs road unbeaten-in-regulation streak to seven games (6-0-1-0). The win was the Monarchs fifth straight against the Lock Monsters and eighth overall this season (8-3-0-1).

The Monarchs raced out to a 2-0 first period lead with goals from centers Yanick Lehoux and Steve Kelly. Lehoux collected his second goal in three games and his 11th overall when his right circle slap shot clipped the far post and caromed into the net just 1:17 in. Clarke and Muir, who finished with three points on the night (0-3=3), assisted.

Kelly, back in the lineup after missing three games with a knee injury, added to the lead with his 15th goal, scored with a lightning quick wrist shot over the glove of goaltender Patrick DesRochers at 16:43. Right wing Pavel Rosa and Muir assisted, with Rosa sending Kelly into the Lock Monsters zone ahead of the defense. With the assist, his team-leading 42nd, Rosa extended his scoring streak to nine games (7-6=13).

The Lock Monsters cut the lead in half with a late power play goal from center Jim Henkel, who scored from behind the net at 19:50. Henkel gained credit for his ninth goal after his centering pass tipped off Seeley near the left post and bounced into the net. Right wing Chad Larose and forward Justin Kelly had assists on the play.

Henkel struck again and tied the game just 1:55 into the middle period when he pounced on Kurka's crease area rebound and whipped it by goaltender Adam Hauser. Defenseman Brennan Evans earned the second assist on Henkel's 10th this season.

The Lock Monsters gained the lead 5:22 into the third period after left wing Martin Sonnenberg's shot tipped off Hauser's glove and into the net. Henkel collected his third point of the game with an assist on the goal, Sonnenberg's 20th this season. Defenseman Tomas Malec was also given an assist on the play.

The Monarchs tied the game exactly six minutes later with center Michael Cammalleri's 12th goal, scored with a one-timer from the slot after left wing Chris Schmidt's centering pass. Rookie defenseman Denis Grebeshkov also assisted on the tally.

Hauser (18-13-6) earned the win with 30 saves. He's unbeaten in his last 11 starts (7-0-2-2). DesRochers (21-19-1), who finished with 25 stops, took the loss.

The Monarchs return to action when they host the Providence Bruins at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, March 20 at the Verizon Wireless Arena on New Hampshire Legends of Hockey Night. Only single seats remain for Saturday's game. For ticket information, visit the Monarchs on-line at www.monarchshockey.com.

Monarchs Ticket Availability as of March 19

Sat., Mar. 20 vs. Providence: Single seats remain

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American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2004


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