Date: October 9, 1998
Location: Lowell, MA
Face-Off: 7:35 ET
TV: Fox Sports-New England
Websites: Lowell: https://members.tripod.com/~LockMonsters
Portland: http://www.portlandpirates.com

The Lock Monsters make their franchise debut tonight against division-rival
Portland (Washington/Chicago) at the Paul E. Tsongas Arena.


Players to watch:
Portland- C Kent Hulst, the Pirates' captian and one of the more consistent
players in their history. He should be teamed up with Major Junior scorer-
Jean-Pierre Dumont and Rick Kowalsky to form the top line.

D Patrick Boileau is completely healthy and will team up with veteran Steve
Poapst and 2nd-year man Rick Mrozik to lead the defense. Nolan Baumgartner
was one of the last cuts from Washington camp.

C Benoit Gratton is out of the Esa Tikkanen mold- he is the biggest pest in
the AHL. The Pirates are also looking for big things from LW Alex Volchkov
who, was a major bust in his rookie season but had a good camp.

G Martin Brochu is expected to see the bulk of playing time but could be
challanged by Sebastien Charpentier.

Lowell- The Lock Monsters have a number of AHL veterans. C Craig Charron
will be flanked by Dane Jackson and Shawn Haggerty.

Dimitri Nabokov will also be a factor, he was traded for Portland's Dumont
last season.

Zedano Chara will lead the defense, Mike Gaul and rookie Ray Giroux among
others will be keys back there.

The Lock Monsters are strong in goal with Marcel Cosineau and Mark McArthur
and Rookie Steve Valiquette. Cousineau played very well in the exhibition
season.

Roster moves:
Portland- add D Nolan Baumgartner
C Jeff Toms
G Mike Rosati

Lowell- add D Zedano Chara
F Mike Kennedy