Lawrence leaves Lowell as first Lock Monster to get NHL call

LOWELL -- Right wing Mike Lawrence was called up to the New York Islanders yesterday, becoming the first Lock Monster to make the step from Lowell to the NHL.

Lawrence, who scored the first goal in Lock Monster history on Oct. 9, is the team's leading goal scorer with four goals. He has six points in seven games, which is third on the team.

"Mark has been playing extremely well for us and he earned this chance with the Islanders," said Lowell GM Tom Rowe. "Everyone in our organization is pleased for him He's worked hard for this shot, and we feel a sense of accomplishment as well. We hope he is the first of many that our fans say, 'I used to watch him play in Tsongas Arena.'"

Lawrence has 17 games of NHL experience with the Islanders and the Dallas Stars. He was a fourth-round draft pick of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. Lawrence was signed by the Islanders as a free agent in July of last year and assigned to the Lock Monsters during training camp this fall.

Springfield in town tonight

The Lock Monsters, meanwhile, will look to make the Springfield Falcons their fourth American Hockey League victim in a row tonight at Tsongas Arena (7:05).

Lowell (5-2-0) is tied for second in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division with St. John's (4-4), with 10 points, two points behind Saint John (5-1-0).

The Lock Monsters are coming off a 3-0 week in which they beat Cincinnati (3-0), Syracuse (4-3) and Providence (4-3) at Tsongas Arena. Lowell goaltender Marcel Cousineau, who leads the AHL with five wins, stopped 71 of 77 shots, while Mike Kennedy, Warren Luhning and Mike Gaul each had a two-goal game last week.

Springfield is the AHL affiliate for the Los Angeles Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes.

Tickets are available at the Arena box office or by calling (978) 848-6900.