February 14, 2008
by Mike Klein

MONARCHS DEFEAT GLADES, TAKE EJHL LEAD

Hooksett, NH - Greg Burke scored with six minutes left in the third period to push the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs over the Green Mountain Glades on Thursday afternoon.

Green Mountain, in the thick of a battle for the final playoff spot in the Northern Division, came out playing as if their season were on the line. The Glades peppered Monarchs goalie James Mello with shots while the defense only allowed four Monarchs attempts to reach the net.

The Glades opened the scoring just 3:42 into the game when Kyle Daniel passed from the corner to Connor Logan at the top of the right circle. Logan blasted a shot that was saved by James Mello, but the rebound went straight to Zach Vit, who knocked it home.

Daniel scored the next Glades goal with 1:38 left in the opening period when he shot through a screen and beat Mello on the stick side. Mike Cenisio and Ian Toof assisted on his goal.

The Monarchs came alive after the intermission and gave spectators a very entertaining second period with both teams firing at the goaltenders. The only crack in the armor was a power play goal from Jimmy Gaudet. Rence Coassin and Lance Herrington cycled the puck in the Glades’ zone before passing back to Gaudet, who rifled a shot from the point past Chris Kamal.

Jeff Hannan tied the game in the third period when he took Kyle Mountain’s pass and sent it top shelf past Kamal. Owen Carpino, who played the game as a forward, grabbed the second assist.

Neither goalie yielded much despite strong efforts from both teams throughout the remainder of the game. With six minutes left in regulation, however, Jimmy Gaudet sent Greg Burke streaking into the zone. Burke executed a beautiful toe-drag around a Glades defenseman and beat Chris Kamal on the stick side.

With 1:14 remaining, Kamal skated off for an extra attacker, but the Monarchs barely let the Glades into the zone. Likewise, despite two attempts, the Monarchs were unable to put in an empty-netter before the final buzzer. Kamal played a solid game, collecting 28 saves, and Mello turned away 30 in the victory.

The Monarchs return to action Friday as they face the Boston Jr. Shamrocks at Walter Brown Arena, and the Glades next head to Haverhill to face the Valley Jr. Warriors.