September 16, 2007

Two-time Defending Champions Start Slow

Bridgewater, MA -The New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs took to the road on Saturday to begin their quest for a three-peat only to see the Bridgewater Bandits put up a three-spot lead after two periods of play and send the Monarchs home with a 4-1 loss.  The lone goal of the first came off the stick on Union-bound Brian Yanovich.  Defensemen Marc Nemec’s failed attempt to hold the blue-line allowed Jarred Smith to hit Yanovich at the red line and send him in all alone on James Mello.  A quick move to the back hand and a top shelf shot would give the Bandits a one goal lead at the 12:17 mark.  The Bandits would strike in the second when a puck went off a referees skate and went directly to the front of the net where two Bandits players found the fortuitous bounce and quickly made good off the break to make it 2-0.  With under five-minutes in the second Chris Rooney would collect a loose puck in front and snap in over Mello for a three goal lead.

The Monarchs came out hard in the third and found out what hard work can do when a Ben Ketchum/Rence Coassin play set up Adam Kaiser all alone in the slot.  Kaiser quickly released a snapper over Ross MacKinnon’s glove to cut the deficit to 3-1 with 14:59 to play.  Despite some great efforts it would prove too little too late for the Monarchs, especially when Mike Penkrot punched home a shot from the slot for what would be the final goal of the game.  Mello would finish with 30 saves while counterpart MacKinnon stopped 25.

“We have a lot to work to do with so many new faces in the line-up,’ stated GM/Head Coach Sean Tremblay.  “Overall I am pleased knowing the mistakes we are making are ones we can teach and eliminate over time.  I am not pleased with the overall effort the guys put forth for sixty-minutes.  That should never be an issue and we will deal with that this week in practice.  I am optimistic and confident we will be a very tough team, but it will take some time to get there.  I know our staff is looking forward to the challenges ahead of us and helping these young men learn how to play hockey the way it is supposed to be played.”