Malcolm's 41 Stops Can't Save Wolf Pack
Feb 27, 2015A three-goal third period propelled the Manchester Monarchs to a 4-2 win over the Wolf Pack Friday night at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH, spoiling a 41-save performance by Wolf Pack goaltender Jeff Malcolm.
The Wolf Pack led 2-1 heading into the third, despite having been outshot by a combined margin of 35-13 in the first 40 minutes. Brian O’Neill tied it on a power play for Manchester at 4:41 of the third, though, on a power play, beating Malcolm on a slap shot from the right circle, and then Andrew Crescenzi and Zach O’Brien scored 35 seconds apart late in the period to lift the Monarchs to the win.
Crescenzi got the game-winner with 2:19 left, as he batted the puck out of the air and past Malcolm, after a try from the right-wing side by Justin Auger was deflected.
Then, at 18:16, O’Brien put a shot off of Malcolm’s right arm and just over the goal line, after O’Brien had worked his way down the left side and past Wolf Pack defenseman Michael Kostka.
The Monarchs dominated much of the first period, outshooting the Wolf Pack 16-6, but the two teams came out of the first tied at one.
Manchester jumped on top only 1:18 in, on long-time NHLer Mike Richards’ third goal in 11 games since being assigned to the Monarchs by the parent Los Angeles Kings. O’Brien got a step on Sean Escobedo, but put the puck over the net. The carom off the end boards, though, came to Richards, and he jammed it between Malcolm and the post to his right, and just over the goal line.
Malcolm did strong work the rest of the period to prevent any further Manchester scoring, and the Wolf Pack drew even at 18:07, on Steve Spinell’s first Wolf Pack goal. Chris Bourque fed Spinell at the right point, and Spinell’s slap shot went through an Oscar Lindberg screen and got past Monarch netminder J.F. Berube (19 saves).
The shots were lopsided in favor of the Monarchs again in the second period, 19-7, but the Wolf Pack scored the period’s only goal. It came at the 1:25 mark, and was the fourth in five games for Tyler Brown.
Chad Nehring worked the puck to Danny Kristo, who broke into the Manchester zone on a two-on-one with Brown. Kristo fed a pass from the right side to Brown all alone in front, and Brown made a move to the backhand to slip it past Berube.
The Wolf Pack are in home-ice action Saturday night at the XL Center, hosting the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 7:00 PM game. That is the Wolf Pack’s “Salute to Heroes Night”, honoring the 35th anniversary of the USA’s “Miracle on Ice” Olympic Gold Medal triumph, as well as the public service heroes who keep local communities safe on a daily basis. The Wolf Pack will wear a specialty Miracle on Ice-themed jersey, and the jerseys will be auctioned off in the XL Center atrium during the second intermission. Fans will also have a chance to meet 1980 USA Olympic Gold Medalists Dave Silk and Steve Janaszak, and the first 2,000 fans into the game will receive a Wolf Pack flag. Additionally, all military personnel, both active-duty and veterans, can receive free tickets to the game, by presenting their military ID at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center. The offer is for one complimentary ticket per ID.
Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the Agera Energy Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.
To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.
Hartford Wolf Pack 2 at Manchester Monarchs 4
Friday, February 27, 2015 - Verizon Wireless Arena
Hartford 1 1 0 - 2
Manchester 1 0 3 - 4
1st Period-1, Manchester, Richards 3 (Backman, O'Brien), 1:18. 2, Hartford, Spinell 1 (Bourque, Vaive), 18:07. Penalties-Haggerty Hfd (slashing, unsportsmanlike conduct), 9:36.
2nd Period-3, Hartford, Brown 5 (Kristo, Nehring), 1:25. Penalties-LoVerde Mch (interference), 3:47; Tarnasky Hfd (boarding), 8:51; Sabourin Mch (holding), 15:08.
3rd Period-4, Manchester, O'Neill 17 (Weal, Mersch), 4:41 (PP). 5, Manchester, Crescenzi 4 (Auger, Bodnarchuk), 17:41. 6, Manchester, O'Brien 10 (Backman, Miller), 18:16. Penalties-Richards Mch (hooking), 1:00; Nehring Hfd (tripping), 3:21; Allen Hfd (high-sticking), 7:06; Weal Mch (hooking), 8:04.
Shots on Goal-Hartford 6-7-8-21. Manchester 16-19-10-45.
Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 4; Manchester 1 / 5.
Goalies-Hartford, Malcolm 5-1-0 (45 shots-41 saves). Manchester, Berube 25-7-2 (21 shots-19 saves).
A-4,202
Referees-Dave Lewis (46).
Linesmen-Todd Whittemore (70), Alex Stagnone (7).