Sens vs. Monarchs 2/23/04 Articles: Monarchs get edge in return to Verizon
February 24, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Kevin Provencher of The Union Leader

Monarchs get edge in return to Verizon

By KEVIN PROVENCHER

Staff Sports Writer

MANCHESTER – Someone forgot to tell the Manchester Monarchs and Binghamton Senators that it’s school vacation week in the Granite State. The AHL teams put on a goaltending and defense clinic last night for the 7,623 fans in the Verizon Wireless Arena.
A chess match on skates, the Monarchs made the winning moves in the third period pulling out a 2-0 victory. They are unbeaten in four.

Nashua’s Jeff Giuliano tucked away his second game-winning goal of the season 7:26 into the third period, finally cracking the goaltending brilliance of the Ottawa Senators’ goaltender “Most Likely to Succeed,” two-time AHL all-star Ray Emery (32 saves). Less than four minutes later, all-star rookie Noah Clarke confidently finished Pavel Rosa’s dish, who proved he can play defense, too. Rosa, the Monarchs leading scorer, forced a turnover along the right-wing wall.

Having lost just once in their last eight, the Monarchs (28-21-5-3, 64 points) take hold of second place in the Atlantic Division.

The Senators (26-24-6-2, 60 points), fifth in the East Division, which is led by Bridgeport, have lost two straight and have not won on the road in six games dating back to Jan. 30.

The shutout was the fourth of the season for Monarchs goaltender Adam “Brick” Hauser. Anytime Hauser allowed a hint of a rebound, Monarch defenders quickly did the housekeeping. Hauser finished with 22 solid saves in his team-leading 13th victory.

Emery had a little help from his friends in the scoreless second period stalemate. During a Monarchs power play 2:14 into the second, defenseman Steve Bancroft swept Chris Schmidt’s backhander off the goal line after Emery made the initial stop. Then Bancroft, on his knees, saved in the crease at the back door Bryan Muir’s close-range wraparound. With 44 seconds left in the second period, Emery body-blocked Rosa’s short breakaway bid.

The “Incredible Bulk,” 6-foot-3, 197-pound second-year pro Emery was the difference for the Senators in the scoreless opening period. The Senators were outshot, 14-2, which marked a season-best for the Monarchs’ defense. But Emery looked like the unflappable Joe Frazier versus an Ali punishment. Emery stood strong taking Rosa’s bell ringer off the facemask with 3:10 left in the period. He toe-saved Jerred Smithson’s backdoor one-timer on a power play at 13:32 and he smothered Yanick Lehoux’ short breakaway 8:49 in.

The Monarchs, who paid back the Senators after losing 3-0 in Binghamton earlier this season, continue a four-game homestand, hosting the Portland Pirates tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: A safety net malfunction last night at the Elm Street end of the arena after second chuck-a-puck delayed the third period for 25 minutes. It was the first-ever safety net problem. All spectators in sections 124-104 (six sections) and the club lounge were made to move to the upper deck for the third period and that was a real tough sell. However, always quick to respond, the Monarchs’ management announced that spectators affected by the move can call 626-7825 for “future considerations. . . . Rookie left wing Noah Clarke was named Player of the Week in the AHL. . . . Monarchs broadcaster Ken Cail took a ride on the Zamboni between the first and second periods and broadcast the experience live . . . . Senators center Bryson Busniuk is the nephew of Binghamton assistant coach Mike “Buzz” Busniuk. Mike Busniak was one rough customer for the old Calder Cup Maine Mariners when they were a Philadelphia Flyers affiliate. Both Buzz Busniuk and John Paddock coached the Hartford Wolf Pack two seasons ago, when they eliminated the Monarchs from the AHL postseason in the first round. Before last night’s game Busniak shared a few words with his old Maine teammate Gordie Clarke.