HOOKSETT – The Los Angeles Kings will apply immediate first aid to their new American Hockey League franchise. The Manchester Monarchs have averaged just a goal a game and last night fell 4-1 to the veteran Portland Pirates at Tri-Town Arena before 653 fans.
Asked if offense was on the way, Monarchs coach Bruce Boudreau said, “I hope so. “You feel for these guys. They’re trying as damn hard as they can. Your hands are like they’re glued and then you don’t do the things you can.”
Clearly offensively challenged through a winless three-game preseason, the Monarchs’ are expecting the arrival over the next two days of forwards Brad Chartrand, Adam Mair, Jaroslav Bednar and Scott Thomas. “They’re on the way,” said Monarchs’ president Jeff Eisenberg. Manchester opens at Lowell, Mass., Friday at 7 p.m.
Bednar led the elite Finnish league in scoring last season and has been scoring in the Kings’ preseason. Chartrand is labeled a “solid American League center iceman,” by Boudreau. Thomas is a potential 30-goal scorer out of the IHL.
Manchester’s director of hockey operations, Hubie McDonough, called last night’s scoreless first period the best period the team has played in the preseason. And once again the Monarchs’ experienced goaltending kept the game as close as possible as long as possible. Veteran Marcel Cousineau worked the whole for Manchester, making 27 stops.
Portland opened it up in the second period. Portland’s Mike Siklenka from the ECHL and outstanding Washington Caps prospect Matt Pettinger each scored in the second period. Pettinger’s goal came on a powerplay.
“Right now we want to see what they can do pretty much on their own,” said Manchester assistant coach Bobby Jay. Manchester’s lone goal came 5:18 into the third period on big Jason Holland’s heavy slapshot from the point on a power play. But, from there Portland’s Pete Ferraro, out of the University of Maine, scored a pair of goals 2:40 apart midway through the period to put the game away. Ferraro’s twin brother, Chris, assisted on both goals and finished with three.
“All preseason our guys have kind of been snakebit,” said Boudreau. “Can’t put it in the ocean.” Manchester also went up against Portland’s formidable goaltender Corey Hirsch, who went the distance. Hirsch (31 saves) is probably best known for being a backup with the New York Rangers and he has also played on and off with Washington. “Last year we started out undefeated at Lowell,” said Boudreau. “Then we didn’t start out the season very well. All I know is when we wake up tomorrow we’re tied for first place.”