Sens vs. Monarchs 2/23/04 Articles: B-Sens Blanked in Manchester
February 23, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Binghamton Senators.com

B-Sens Blanked in Manchester

February 23, 2004

Two third period goals and a 22 save effort by goaltender Adam Hauser led the Manchester Monarchs to a 2-0 victory over the Binghamton Senators in front of 7,623 fans at Verizon Wireless Arena in New Hampshire.

Jeff Guiliano scored what proved to be the game-winner 7:26 into the third period following a forty minute delay due to a malfunction with the protective netting.

Giuliano picked up a Bryan Muir rebound and sent it behind Ray Emery (32 saves) for a 1-0 advantage. Muir and Sam Ftorek drew the assists.

A defensive turnover lead to the second goal when Peter Smrek played an outlet pass onto the stick of Pavel Rosa.

Rosa spotted AHL Player of the Week Noah Clarke all alone on the slot. Clarke ripped a blast past Emery for his 20th goal of the season, extending his goal-scoring streak to four games.

The Monarchs dominated play in the first period, outshooting the Sens 14-2, but Ray Emery was perfect in keeping Binghamton in the contest beyond the opening period.

The two shots on goal by Binghamton matched a franchise low set on November 30, 2002, in a 3-0 loss at Springfield.

The Sens showed some life in the second and had the better of the territorial play despite being outshot by a smaller 12-8 margin.

One of the visitors’ best chances came late in the period when a Julien Vauclair point drive appeared to be smothered by Monarch goalie Adam Hauser. Following a quick whistle from referee Jeff Smith, the puck slid free towards the goal line after play was stopped.

With the loss, the Sens again failed to gain ground on two clubs directly in front of them in a tightly bunched middle of the pack in the East Division.

Binghamton remains one point behind the Norfolk Admirals and four points behind the third place Hershey Bears.

The Sens are next in action Wednesday night when they face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in a 7:05 faceoff.