Lock Monsters Defeat Providence
by Alex Pufhal
The Lowell Lock Monsters are finally starting to take the form
that many expected. They have now won three games in a row, 5 of
the first 7.
In a week of firsts for the franchise, they finally won a game on
a Saturday night, after losing the last two weeks to New Haven,
they defeated the Providence Bruins 4-3 in front of the 2nd
largest crowd (5,503) of the season.
Unlike past games, the Lock Monsters had to play catch-up hockey.
Providence came out with two first period goals, Jay Henderson
opened the scoring at 8:28 with a power play goal, Shawn Bates
scored just 21 seconds later and the Monsters were in a two-goal
hole.
The Monsters were out-shot 10-4 in the first, and I would guess
were subject to a tirade by coach Frank Anzalone. Whatever
happened in the room must have worked as Warren Luhining picked
up his third goal in the last 2 games at 1:47 of the 2nd. Mike
Gaul and Mark Lawerence nailed power play markers at the 6:00 and
6:28 minute mark of the 2nd.
The Lock Monsters out-shot Providence 13-6 in the 2nd. The 13
shots equals the total shots on for the entire game for Lowell
against Syracuse on Friday night.
They came out flying again in the 3rd scoring just 32 seconds in
on the 2nd power play goal of the game by Mike Gaul. Providence's
Terry Virtue scored at 5:53 of the 3rd on the power play but, it
was too little too late as Lowell goaltender Marcel Cousineau
once again came up huge, stopping 16 3rd period shots.
John Grahme made 20 saves in the loss for Providence. The Lock
Monsters host Springfield on Wednesday night, and the Falcons
host Lowell on Friday, then travel to Portland on Saturday and
New Haven on Sunday.
G Marcel Cousineau should get some strong consideration for AHL
player of the week as should teammate Warren Luhing. Cousineau
was 3-0-0 with a shutout and a 2.00 GAA. Luhning had a 5-point
week.
Nashua Telegraph:
Providence Journal:
P-Bruins lose at Lowell, 4-3
LOWELL, MASS. -- A goal by Mike Gaul 32 seconds into the third period gave Lowell a two-goal advantage and the Loch Monsters went on for a 4-3 victory over the Providence Bruins in an American Hockey League game last night.
Lowell (5-2) held a 3-2 advantage entering the final period. Providence's Joe Harney was called for a tripping penalty early in the period and the Loch Monsters converted the opportunity when Gaul connected down low at the far post for his second goal of the night, increasing his team's lead to 4-2.
Defenseman Terry Virtue closed the gap to 4-3 with his first goal as a P-Bruin when he attempted pass to Cameron Mann bounced off the skate of Lowell defenseman Vladimir Chebaturkin and into the Loch Monster net.
Even though Providence outshot Lowell 17-7 in the third period, the team would not be able to get closer. The P-Bruins outshot the Loch Monsters, 33-24, in the game.
Providence (2-4) had one final opportunity to tie the game when former P-Bruin Dean Malkoc was called for high-sticking with 2:26 remaining in the game. Providence pulled goalie John Grahame for a two-man advantage. The move almost paid off when Shawn Bates hit the right post with 10 seconds left.
The P-Bruins held a 2-0 lead after the first period following a power-play goal by Jay Henderson at 8:23 and an even-strength score by Bates 36 seconds later. However, Lowell would rebound in the second period for three goals, including two during five-minute, power-play opportunities.
Providence will resume play Wednesday night at St. John's, Newfoundland, looking for its first road win of the season and the 200th victory in franchise history.
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Providence 2 0 1--3
Lowell 0 3 1--4
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FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Providence, Henderson 2 (power play)
(Barney, Vaske), 8:28. 2, Providence, Bates 3 (Savage), 8:59.
Penalties: Namestnikov, Low (tripping), 2:41; Aitken, Pro
(interference), 4:31; Namestnikov, Low (interference), 6:57;
Haggerty, Low (Ob holding the stick), 9:36; Luhning, Low
(slashing), 15:09; Malkoc, Low (cross
checking), 15:55; Barney, Pro (Ob holding the stick), 19:39.
SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Lowell, Luhning 3 (Malkoc, Schultz),
1:47. 4, Lowell, Gaul 1 (power play) (Haggerty, Chebaturkin),
6:00. 5, Lowell, Lawrence 4 (power play) (Namestnikov, Nabakov),
6:28. Penalties: Prpic, Pro (interference), 2:12; Trottier, Pro
(fighting major, game misconduct), 5:09; Downey, Pro (roughing,
charging), 10:41; Malkoc, Low (roughing), 10:41; Gaul, Low
(interference), 13:23; Virtue, Pro (tripping), 17:16.
THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 6, Lowell, Gaul 2 (power play) (Kennedy,
Haggerty), 0:32. 7, Providence, Virtue 1 (power play)
(unassisted), 5:53. Penalties: Barney, Pro (Obstr tripping),
0:11; Luhning, Low (slashing), 4:26; Luhning, Low (high
sticking), 14:21; Bates, Pro (tripping), 15:16; Malkoc, Low (high
sticking), 17:38.
Shots on goal:
---------------------------------
Providence 10 6 17--33
Lowell 4 13 7--24
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Power-play Conversions: Pro - 2 of 9, Low - 3 of 8. Goalies:
Providence, Grahame (24 shots, 20 saves; record: 1-2-0). Lowell,
Cousineau (33, 30; record: 5-1-0). A: 5,503. Referee: Joannette.
Linesmen: Costello, Ross.