AHL American Hockey League

Lindsay Kramer reported the deal to keep the Syracuse Crunch in their home was as good as done on Sept. 1 . 

Some 10 weeks later, the official announcement has come that the Syracuse Crunch will continue to call the city's OnCenter War Memorial their home through at least 2019. The franchise has played all of their home games at the 58-year-old arena since they moved to the Salt City from Hamilton, Ontario prior to the 1994-95 season.

Team owner Howard Dolgon received a large incentive to keep the franchise in Syracuse after the Onondaga County Legislature approved a new scoreboard for the old barn in September.  That's when Kramer first reported that a verbal agreement had been reached between the team and the facility for a new five-year lease with a team option for an additional five years.  It turns out that the option was taken out of the final deal.

From Blog.syracuse.com:

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The positive new twist is that the original pact was going to be five years, and then five one-year options. Now, it's just a straight 10-year commitment.

'We liked the direction the Oncenter is going. We've always said were going to be long-term players in the community," said Syracuse owner Howard Dolgon.

The Lowell Devils beat the Worcester Sharks 7-3 during a Veteran’s day matinee showing at the DCU Center on Wednesday. Frazer McLaren scored his first goal of the season, while Logan Couture extended his point streak to six games with a goal and two assists (5-8-13) and is now tied for first in points among rookies in the AHL.

Down two men on the power play, Worcester couldn’t hold off Lowell’s Matt Taormina who scored at 6:56 in the first. At 7:39, Nathan Perkovich took advantage of the power play again to put Lowell up 2-0.

The Sharks fought back at 17:33 when Brandon Mashinter grabbed a pass from Logan Couture at the top of the circle and scored on Jeff Frazee, bringing the score to 2-1.

The Devils’ Nick Palmieri grabbed the first goal of the second period at 6:03. Minutes later at 9:45, Vladimir Zharkov scored again for Lowell to make it 4-1. After the fourth goal of the game, Coach Roy Sommer replaced Stalock with Tyson Sexsmith in net.

During the faceoff that followed, Brandon Mashinter dropped the gloves and went after Lowell’s Nathan Perkovich. In the resulting power play, Frazer McLaren scored Worcester’s second goal of the game with the help of Logan Couture and Benn Ferriero.

Sexsmith let up his first goal of the game to Trevor Kell at 18:14.  The Sharks trailed 5-2 after forty minutes.

The Devils started the scoring at 1:29 in the third with a rebound that was deflected in by Vladimir Zharkov for his second goal of the game.  Lowell’s Matt Cohen continued the Devils’ rally at 6:02 to put the Sharks down 7-2. Logan Couture added to the Sharks’ score at 16:10 in the third to lessen the gap to 7-3.

With the loss, the Sharks move to 8-5-0-1 (17 points) on the season.

Notes: Three stars: (1) Vladimir Zharkov (2 goals), (2) Nathan Perkovich (1-1-2), (3) Rob Davison (2 assists)….Alex Stalock made 7 saves for the Sharks, while Tyson Sexsmith made 13…Lowell’s Jeff Frazee made 20 saves… Worcester went 0/4 on the power play…Lowell went 2/6 on the power play.

Final shots were 33-27 in favor on the Sharks...Frazer McLaren scored his first goal of the season and added a fighting major in the third period…Logan Couture extended his point streak to six games (5-8-13) and tied for first in the AHL in points among rookies.

Brandon Mashinter extends his point streak against the Devils to 3-2-5 and recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick…Torrey Mitchell and Benn Ferriero (2 assists) made their first appearances with Worcester this season after being reassigned from San Jose earlier this week. With the additions, Worcester now has 11 players from Hockey East.

Upcoming Events

The Sharks have a busy weekend coming up, with home games on Saturday vs. Hartford and Sunday vs. Providence. On Saturday, Tiffany Thornton of the Disney Channel hit show Sonny with a Chance will be signing autographs on the concourse from 5:30-7:30pm.

On Sunday, the Sharks will be teaming up with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to hold the 4th Annual Canned Food Drive. All fans who donate canned food will receive a FREE voucher for a pair of tickets (compliments of Price Chopper) to a game on December 18th or 19th.

All fans that donate canned food at the Worcester Sharks game on November 15th will receive a FREE ticket voucher to the December 18th or 19th games,  compliments of Price Chopper. Collected food will go directly to the Friendly House of Worcester to be distributed to needy families throughout the Worcester area.

“The Worcester Sharks are very proud to be associated with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Friendly House,” said Sharks President and CEO Michael T. Lehr. “It is important for everyone to help those who are less fortunate, especially as we approach the holiday season.”

The 4th Annual Canned Food Drive got kicked off with an event at the Price Chopper on 50 Cambridge Street in Worcester on Friday, November 6th.

For more information regarding the 4th Annual Canned Food Drive visit the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com or contact the Worcester Sharks Front Office at 508-929-0500.

On Friday, The Sharks travel to Lowell for a 7p.m. tilt vs. the Lowell Devils.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Providence Bruins at 3:05p.m. Its $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino’s!  Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket!

With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE X-Large cheese pizza coupon to be used at participating Papa Gino’s locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.

Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

• Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
• Significant savings off box office ticket prices
• Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com .

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by the Worcester Sharks of the AHL. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report , Sports, Then and Now , and Seamheads . He is a supporter of the children’s book A Glove of Their Own. A Glove of Their Own is the award winning book which teaches pay it forward through sports. Please visit the site and purchase the book under today’s donor code, COV 113 Covenant House as $3.00 from each sale will help this worthwhile charity.

Worcester Sharks President, and CEO Michael T. Lehr has announced that Tiffany Thornton, from the hit television show Sonny with a Chance, will appear, and sign autographs, at the Sharks versus Hartford Wolf Pack game at the DCU Center on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:05 p.m., presented by Irving Oil.

“The Sharks provide family fun entertainment and by flying in Tiffany Thornton gives our young fans a unique opportunity to meet a character from one of their favorite television shows,” said Lehr.  “Last seasons celebrity signings were a huge hit and we look forward to another successful appearance on the 14th.”

Tiffany Thornton will sign autographs in the concourse at the DCU Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Fans may purchase a family four pack, which includes four tickets, and two pictures of Tiffany Thornton, for just $15.00 per person (additional tickets are $15.00 each).

All Sharks fans 16-years-old and younger are eligible for an autograph, and are available at a first-come first served basis.  Season ticket holders will be given the opportunity to enter through the Season Ticket Holder entrance at 5:15 p.m.  Doors will open for the general public at 5:30 p.m.

Thornton plays Tawni Hart, a spoiled, and sometimes mean-spirited teenage television star on the Disney Channel Original Series Sonny with a Chance .  Tiffany’s character goes out of the way to torment the title character, played by Demi Lovato.

Tiffany also appeared in two episodes of Hannah Montana as Becky, and three episodes on The O.C. as the character Ashley.

The next celebrity appearance will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31, when Chaske Spencer from the movie series Twilight will sign autographs during the game versus the Lowell Devils.

The entire event is brought to you be Irving Oil. Please stop by your local Irving Oil dealer today!

Irving Oil, with U.S. headquarters in Portsmouth, N.H., and Canadian headquarters in Saint John, N.B., is a leading regional refining and marketing company that serves retail, commercial, industrial, and residential customers in Eastern Canada, and New England, with a range of finished energy products, and complementary services.

The company offers fuel at more than 700 locations in Atlantic Canada, and New England, including company-operated, leased, and independent sites. For more information, please visit www.irvingoil.com.

For more information on this ticket offer, contact the Worcester Sharks Front Office today by calling 508.929.0500! Log onto www.SharksAHL.com for the complete promotional schedule, and up to date information!

Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

• Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates, and playoff home games at the DCU Center
• Significant savings off box office ticket prices
• Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500, or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.

All games can be heard live on 580AM, and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com.

The previous story was excerpted from a press release by Todd Civin. Civin is a writer for Bleacher Report, Seamheads and Sports, Then and Now.

Here is the latest on some former Oswego State backstops:

Potter The Condor
On the right is your first look at Tim Potter as a member of the Bakersfield Condors. Below is your first listen as Potter was interviewed prior to his first ECHL game by ESPN Bakersfield:

Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

Hot Start For Scott
Ryan Scott, the goalie behind the 2007 Oswego State National Championship team, has signed with the expansion Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Through three games, he has a record of 2-1-0, with a GAA of 2.29, and a save percentage of .895. Pensacola is currently tied for the best record in the league at 3-1-0. Scott won 14 games in 33 appearances last season for the now-defunct Richmond Renegades of the SPHL.

Perno Practices With Amerks
Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle profiled former Oswego State goaltender Len Perno in Thursday's paper. Perno, 38, played in net for the Lakers in the early 90's. He lives in the Rochester area, and was recently called in to practice with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. Here is an excerpt from Kevin Oklobzija's article:

Perno's own pro career after SUNY Oswego was short, taking him to the old West Coast Hockey League in 1995-96, and then just about everywhere in 1996-97 (Utica, Knoxville, Binghamton and even his hometown Amerks).Nowadays his only hockey comes in the area adult leagues. He's also helping out as a coach for the mite team that his son, Lenny, plays on. By day, he operates The Perno Group, a direct placement agency for those in the engineering and software fields.

Gajda Goalie Fight Video
Lastly, I thought I'd provide you with a video that has been sitting on YouTube for a little while. It's a clip of former Lakers netminder Tyson Gajda getting into a goalie fight in the ECHL. I post this in honor of my pilgrimage to Gajda's hometown of Westfield, MA yesterday. Enjoy:

The Worcester Sharks organization continues to show why they are part of the solution during these tough economic times with yet another in a long line of positive gestures that benefit Worcester and the surrounding communities.

Worcester Sharks President and CEO Michael T. Lehr has announced a new program, which provides FREE tickets for Wednesday home games at the DCU Center for the 2009-10 season to Sharks fans and their families that have lost their jobs.

“During the difficult economic times over the last few years, the Sharks have been fortunate to have the continued support of the Worcester community,” said team president and CEO Michael T. Lehr. “The Sharks invite all families to take advantage of this terrific offer in hopes that they will buy tickets in the future when the economy turns around.”

The FREE tickets for the unemployed will be available for up to four family members and only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.  All fans that wish to receive a FREE ticket(s) must present a valid proof of unemployment and a valid form of identification.

The program, in conjunction with Sharks Charities, will offer FREE tickets for the unemployed and their families during the following SIX Wednesday home games:

• Wednesday, November 11th vs. Lowell – 1:05p.m.
• Wednesday, November 18th vs. Portland – 7:05p.m.
• Wednesday, January 13th vs. Springfield – 7:05p.m.
• Wednesday, January 27th vs. Manitoba – 7:05p.m.
• Wednesday, February 24th vs. Portland – 7:05p.m.
• Wednesday, March 10th vs. Hartford – 7:05p.m.

Earlier this season, the Sharks continued "BE A LEADER" program dedicated a "Community Service Day" which included the entire Worcester Sharks team and office along with the staff of Abigail Williams & Associates to revamp the exterior of the Clark Street Community School in Worcester. 

With the help from local businesses and friends, the BE A LEADER Community Service Day created a new outdoor street hockey surface, revamped the baseball field and basketball court, and made a new service road for the school.  Click HERE to watch video from the 1st annual BE A LEADER Community Service Day!

For more information on this ticket offer, contact the Worcester Sharks Front Office today by calling 508.929.0500!  Log onto www.SharksAHL.com for the complete promotional schedule and up to date information!

Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices!

Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

• Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
• Significant savings off box office ticket prices
• Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com .

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com.

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by the Worcester Sharks. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report , Sports, Then and Now , and Seamheads .

He is a supporter of the children’s book A Glove of Their Own. A Glove of Their Own is the award winning book which teaches pay it forward through sports. Please visit the site and purchase the book under today’s donor code, CVF 113 Covenant House as $3.00 from each sale will help this worthwhile charity.

Dean Strong scored his first professional goal, Danny Groulx added two assists, and head coach Roy Sommer picked up his 399 career AHL win behind the bench, as the Sharks defeated the Sound Tigers 2-1 at the DCU Center in Worcester on Friday night.

The first period started sloppy with neither team able to mount much offensive pressure. However, the Sharks turned up the heat halfway through and began to dominate the period. Steven Zalewski gave the Sharks their first lead of the game with a power play goal at the 19:29 mark. The goal was set up at the point when Joe Callahan sent a pass across the blue line to Danny Groulx.

Groulx then sent a sweet feed to the back post where Zalewski was there to bang it home. With the assist, Groulx extended his consecutive point streak to five games. The Sharks outshot the Sound Tigers 15-4 in the first 20 minutes.

The second period was fast-paced and hard hitting, with both teams exchanged scoring chances. Neither team was able to score as both Alex Stalock and Scott Munroe were solid between the pipes. After forty minutes of play, the Sharks still held onto their 1-0 lead.

The third period was filled with action. The Sound Tigers evened the score at 8:04 on a power play goal by Greg Moore. Seconds later, Worcester’s rookie forward Dean Strong scored his first professional goal at the 8:20 mark to put the Sharks back ahead 2-1, with assists to Danny Groulx and Corey Quirk.

This would prove to be the eventual game winner as Alex Stalock came up with some big saves in the final eight minutes, the best coming with under a minute left when he dove across the crease to deny the Sound Tigers on a rebound chance. With the win, the Sharks jumped ahead of the Sound Tigers and into second place in the Atlantic Division.

With the win, the Sharks improved their record to 6-2-0-1 for 13 points.

Notes: Three stars: (1) Danny Groulx (0-2-2), (2) Alex Stalock (25 saves), (3) Scott Munroe (35 saves)...Former Shark and current Sound Tigers defenseman Brett Westgarth made his return to the DCU Center...Head Coach Roy Sommer recorded his 399 career AHL win...Alex Stalock made 25 saves in net for the Sharks...Scott Munroe made 35 saves in net for the Sound Tigers...The Sharks went 1-6 on the power play...The Sound tigers went 1-2 on the power play.

On Saturday, the Sharks travel to Manchester for a 7 PM tilt against the Monarchs.

On Sunday, the Sharks host the Springfield Falcons at the DCU Center at 3:05 PM. It’s $5 Kids Sundays presented by Papa Gino’s! Kids 12-and-under are just $5 with a purchase of an adult gold level ticket!

With each complete purchase (along with the purchase of an adult gold level ticket) fans will receive a FREE X-Large cheese pizza coupon to be used at participating Papa Gino’s locations. The $5 Kids Sunday ticket offer will only be available at the DCU Center Box Office on the day of the game.

Now in their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets today by calling 508-929-0500. Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

• Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
• Significant savings off box office ticket prices
• Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com .

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com .

The previous story is excerpted from a press release by the Worcester Sharks. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report , Sports, Then and Now , and Seamheads .

He is a supporter of the children’s book A Glove of Their Own. A Glove of Their Own is the award winning book which teaches pay it forward through sports. Please visit the site and purchase the book under today’s donor code, CVF 113 Covenant House as $3.00 from each sale will help this worthwhile charity.

Logan Couture’s overtime goal tallied another win for Worcester and Alex Stalock made 18 saves in net for his first professional shutout in front of 3,222 at the DCU Center on Saturday night.

The Sharks set the tone of the game early, coming out aggressive and attacking with high energy. About seven minutes into the first period, Sharks defenseman Joe Loprieno took charge behind Stalock and made a block that could’ve proved costly for Worcester.

With a season-high 17 shots on goal by Worcester and six shots by Springfield, the first period proved to be a contest of the goalies. Worcester’s Alex Stalock and Springfield’s Devan Dubnyk held the score at 0-0 at the end of the first period.

The second period remained a deadlock. Despite many calculated passes and shots by Worcester, none made it past the Falcons’ Dubnyk. Worcester held Springfield to a mere four shots on goal in the period, thanks largely to the veteran defensive leadership of Danny Groulx, Joe Callahan and Derek Joslin

Though tempers started to flare and several shoving matches ensued, there were no major penalties recorded by either team. The score remained 0-0 through the end of the second.

In the final period, both teams kicked it into high gear. Halfway through, Worcester’s Brandon Mashinter did his best to stir up his teammates' energy by taking off the gloves and attempting a fight that was promptly broken up.

Minutes later, a goal by Springfield was quickly recalled when referees realized it was kicked in, keeping the score at 0-0. Worcester surpassed their season-high 43 shots on goal with 44 in Saturday's regulation play.

After a turbulent overtime battle, Worcester’s rookie superstar Logan Couture scored at 3:49 to grab the win, 1-0. It marked Couture’s third game-winning goal of the season.

Worcester improved their record to 5-1-0-1.

NOTES: Three stars: (3) Alex Stalock for Worcester with 18 saves, (2) Logan Couture with the overtime goal to win, (1) Devan Dubnyk for Springfield with 47 saves… Logan Couture extends his point streak to five games… Springfield went 0-for-1 on the power play…….Worcester went 0-for-2 on the power play……..Worcester out-shot Springfield 47 to 18...Alex Stalock made 18 saves for the Sharks and improved to 4-0...Devan Dubnyk made 47 saves for the Falcons…The Sharks have won their last three games….The Sharks went 4-0 against the Falcons in overtime last season.

The Sharks will travel to Hartford to battle the Wolf Pack on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Be sure to swing by the Sharks vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers game on Friday, Oct. 30 at the DCU Center to participate in Pumpkins, Pucks, & Pizza! Kids 12 and under are encouraged wear their Halloween costumes to the game and join in Trick-or-Treating on the concourse as well as be part of an on-ice costume parade! By ordering a Family Four Pack of tickets for only $55, you will get a FREE Deep Dish Pizza from Uno’s Pizzeria (with the purchase of another entrée).

Entering their fourth season in Worcester, the Sharks look forward to another exciting season highlighted by the improvements of the ice surface at the DCU Center and the reduction of season ticket prices! Sharks fans may secure their 2009-10 season tickets by calling today! Some of the exclusive benefits for full season ticket holders will include:

• Guaranteed same seat for all 40 home dates and playoff home games at the DCU Center
• Significant savings off box office ticket prices
• Priority access to purchase tickets to DCU Center events (subject to availability)

Season ticket packages, group tickets, and individual tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now by contacting the Worcester Sharks Office at 508.929.0500 or by crashing the net at www.SharksAHL.com.

All games can be heard live on 580AM and 94.9FM WTAG, as well as online through AHL Live, by following the link on the Sharks website at www.SharksAHL.com .

The previous story was excerpted from a press release by the Worcester Sharks of the AHL and reprinted with permission by Todd Civin. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for Bleacher Report , Sports, Then and Now and Seamheads . He is a supporter of the childrens book A Glove of Their Own. A Glove of Their Own is the award winning book which teaches pay it forward through sports. Visit the site and purchase the book under today's donor code JNF636 The Joe Niekro Foundation . This non-profit will receive $3.30 from each sale of the book.

The Lake Erie Monsters(2-4-0-0) finished up their first home stand of the season playing two Friday and Saturday evening against the Manitoba Moose(5-3-0-0).  Friday extended the home futility – Lake Erie losing 3-2 and extending a four game losing streak.  They were still searching for their first win of the season in front of U.S. and Canadian fans at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.  Turns out the fifth times a charm; Lake Erie capping off their last home game for two weeks with a 5-2 win.

The Monsters came out smokin’.  Demonstrating they weren’t going to get pushed around two nights in a row, Monsters left winder Patrick Bordeleau took exception to the shoving in the crease from Tom Maxwell of the Moose, and Bordeleau threw down his gloves, clocking Maxwell three or four times in the head before wrestling him to the ground.  Both earned five minutes for fighting, but the tone was set for more physicality.

Lake Erie put the pedal to the medal, opening up a two goal lead, while splattering Moose into the boards.  The first goal came 5:16 in; left winger Ryan Stoa scoring with assists to Derek Peltier and Brett Skinner.  Twenty six seconds later, the puck hit the back of the net again, this time off the stick of Chris Durno, assists to Kevin Schaeffer and Brock Bradford.  Durno’s goal, a nifty off-his-own-butt, no-look-wrister-facing-away-from-the-net drew ahhhhh’s as it was replayed on the Jumbotron.  It was one of those goals you were sure they’d drawn up in practice(ayup).  The scoreboard showed two Monsters shots on goal, and two goals…. That’s economic!

Manitoba got on the board with just over five minutes left in the period.  Matt Pettinger racked up his first of the season with assists to Eric Walsky and Nathan McIver. 

The Monsters withheld a wicked end of period onslaught by Manitoba, killing off a pair of two minute penalties, including 35 seconds of three-on-five while the two penalties overlapped. 

 The second period expounded on the hockey entertainment.  At the end of two, the Monsters were up 4-2.  It looked like Chris Durno and Ryan Stoa had some sort of “who scores the most bet” prior to the start of this one, Stoa scored a power play goal three minutes into the second, assists to Marty Sertich and Bradford.  10:43 in, Durno evened the bet, scoring his second of the night with an assist to Wes O’Neill.

Manitoba would pick up a power play goal with just over two minutes left in the second period.  Guillaume Desbiens registered a slap-shot over the shoulder of Monster goalie Tyler Weiman, assists to Marty Murray and Evan Oberg.  Say that three times fast!  Matter of fact, just try saying Guillaume once.

The third period brought on eleven penalties. Including a big ole’ brawl.

With 7:10 left in the contest, three a piece went to the box for fighting.  The sum total of the events had a player ejected on each side with ten minute misconducts, four five minute tallies for fighting, a double minor to a Manatoba’s Dusty Collins, and a minor to Monsters’ Stoa.  Had Yosemite Sam been in house, he’d a said, “That there is some High Falutin’ Shoot ‘em up HOCKEY!”

Before the slugfest broke out, the Monsters pulled off a short-handed breakaway goal by Darran Haydar, his first goal of the season. 

All told, the Monsters shot 22 on net versus 19 on 21 on Moose sightings. 

The Monsters hit the road playing Texas, Houston, then Texas before coming back to the Q on October 30^th.   

The Lake Erie Monsters (1-2-0-0) took to home ice at Quicken Loans Arena Tuesday evening, facing an undefeated first place San Antonio Rampage (3-0-1-0).  After winning their first game on the road, Lake Erie hoped to zero in on a home ice win.  San Antonio had other ideas, beating the Monsters  4-1.  Really this one was in the books as an “L” after twenty minutes.

The first period was a wash for fifteen minutes; the Monsters squandering a five-on-three on a classic case of too much finesse, not enough shooting.  Honestly, not enough shooting was an understatement.  The Monsters squeezed of exactly zero shots during that minute of two men up.  As San Antonio returned to full strength, the wheels came off for the Monsters.  Lake Erie’s Cody Burki went to the box on a charging call at 13:38.  The puck went into the Monsters net at 15:55 off the stick of San Antonio’s Troy Bodie; an assist credited to Jeff Hogan.  A fluky bound  off the boards set this goal up unfortunately, and it seemed Lake Eries’ undoing.

A penalty to Monsters left winger Justin Mercier less than a minute later  set up the second Rampage power play goal with just over three minutes left in the first, giving San Antonio a 2-0 lead at the end of one.  Center Kyle Turris took home the bacon on this goal; assists  by Sean Sullivan and Viktor Tikhonov.  This goal had eyes.  Monster goalie Tyler Weiman was pasted to the right post, cutting off the narrow angle, but the puck somehow sneaked its way through his pads and into the net.

 The second period finally allowed the Monster’s their first home goal of the season after a pair of opening home weekend shutout losses.  Ryan Stoe punched it home after a nice pass by veteran captain Dan Willsie. Willsie carried the puck the length of the ice, dancing through a pair of defenders before slipping it to the right to a waiting Stoe.  Things were looking up with Lake Erie down only a goal.  Monsters fans remember Willsie from the previous season.  He started out last year red-hot, and was called up to the Colorado Avalanche because of his stellar scoring effort at Lake Erie.

That optimism was quickly erased.  The Rampage scored short-handed after holding the Monster’s offense and clearing the zone on a break-away.  The second period ended with Lake Erie down on the scoreboard 3-1 and down in shots on goal as well by an 18-16 margin, although the Monsters did end up outshooting San Antonio in the period.. 

Too much Monster offensive finesse reared its ugly head in the second; the only signs of real feistiness appeared just before the period ended as a pushing-and-shovefest broke out behind play.  The ref quickly broke up that little love-fest, but it was nice to see some spunk on the Monster side of things. Based on the first two periods, Lake Erie might be asked to change their last name from Monster.

It didn’t take long for San Antonio to open up a 4-1 lead, scoring just over a minute into the third period. 

With 8:43 left in the third, three men graced the penalty box – two Rampage players and one Monster, making it a 4-on-3.  The Monsters tried to make something happen, pulling the goalie and yet again going  two men up to no avail.  Weiman re-entered the net as a man on each side came back out of the penalty box 15 seconds later.  The entire period was riddled with penalties, Lake Erie racking up fourr, San Antonio accounting for seven.

The whole third period, the crowd waited for Lake Erie to kick it up a notch, but the extra gear wasn’t there on this particular evening.  Let’s hope it shows up Friday when the Lake Erie Monsters match up against the Toronto Marlies.  The puck hits the ice at 7:30 both Friday and Saturday.