guinevere
10-14-2003, 01:23 PM
It's always nice when you get a hat trick," the Lowell Lock Monsters left wing said, "especially early in the season. It boosts your confidence. Sometimes you get the breaks."
When he mentioned "the breaks," Bayda was referring to his head-down, turn-and-fire, and watch-it-veer-right-into-the-empty-net goal from 160 feet with 1:10 left which sealed Lowell's 4-2 AHL victory yesterday afternoon at Tsongas Arena.
But the University of North Dakota product could also have been talking about his team.
Outplayed for much of the game and outshot by a 43-26 margin, the Lock Monsters used solid goaltending by Dany Sabourin (41 saves) and opportunistic scoring to remain undefeated (3-0-0) before 1,687 fans. Josh Green scored Lowell's other goal.
Lowell head coach Ron Smith made it a point to bury references to last season.
"It's a waste of time talking about last year," Smith told reporters. "It has no bearing".
But how about this stat? Lowell never won more than two straight games last season.
"It's good when you get a win when you didn't play well," Smith said. "That's two games in a row that's happened. The big question is, why are we getting outplayed with the talent level we have? That's the question. I guess we'll find out in a month or so."
Worcester's Ernie Hartlieb scored a disputed goal with 6:02 left in regulation to tie it.
Lowell looked like it was playing not to lose. But then Damian Surma made the play of the game, circling Worcester's net and threading a pass in front to Bayda, who got a step on his ex-college teammate, Jeff Panzer.
"That was a great play by Surma on the winning goal," Smith said.
Bayda tapped it inside the left post past Reinhard Divis (22 saves) with 3:07 left.
"You always like to play against guys you know," Bayda said. "We have a good rivalry. We talked on the phone (Sunday) last. I better be careful. He might light us up for three goals the next time we play them. It's only one game."
Bayda completed his hat trick with Worcester enjoying a 6-on-4 advantage and Lowell holding onto a slim lead.
The Lock Monsters started sleepily, allowing Worcester to buzz around their end for most of the game's first eight minutes, and they were outshot 16-12 after one period.
When the opening 20 minutes had ended, however, Lowell had a 2-0 lead.
What happened?
Well, Sabourin was outstanding early, giving Lowell a chance to get its legs. Then Worcester gave Lowell a golden chance when the visitors were called for having too many men on the ice.
Thirty-seven seconds later, at 10:17, Bayda had his first goal of the season and Lowell had a 1-0 lead, Brad Fast and Allen Rourke assisting, when Bayda's 45-foot slap shot beat Divis high.
Lowell doubled its lead at 16:52 when Matt Davidson feathered a pass toward the crease. Mike Zigomanis was tied up as he skated by, but the puck slid to Green, who had an empty net to tap his first goal of the season into.
Worcester dominated the second period, taking the body at every chance and dominating in shots to the tune of 14-5.
The IceCats also pulled to within 2-1 on the scoreboard thanks a two-man power play and a little luck.
It's tough enough to kill a two-man advantage when all three skaters have their sticks; Lowell tried to do it with one. First, captain Jason Morgan broke his stick. Then, about 40 seconds later, defenseman Sean Curry, in a clearing attempt, saw his stick break as well.
With only defenseman Allan Rourke still holding onto his lumber, the inevitable happened at 15:18 when Johnny Pohl slipped a shot into the left corner from the doorstep.
"Two broken sticks on a 5-on-3. No, I've never seen that," said Sabourin, who was able to laugh about it because of the outcome.
Notes: Lowell's terrific start has been accomplished without two top players. Defenseman Jesse Wallin arrived in Lowell yesterday morning, but did not play. It took Wallin four days to drive from Calgary and he hadn't skated for six days. Meanwhile, right wing Pavel Brendl (arm injury) may play this weekend. ... Sabourin has stopped 65 of 68 shots while winning both games Lowell has played at Tsongas ... The Monsters host Hartford Saturday night, their only game between now and Oct. 24.
When he mentioned "the breaks," Bayda was referring to his head-down, turn-and-fire, and watch-it-veer-right-into-the-empty-net goal from 160 feet with 1:10 left which sealed Lowell's 4-2 AHL victory yesterday afternoon at Tsongas Arena.
But the University of North Dakota product could also have been talking about his team.
Outplayed for much of the game and outshot by a 43-26 margin, the Lock Monsters used solid goaltending by Dany Sabourin (41 saves) and opportunistic scoring to remain undefeated (3-0-0) before 1,687 fans. Josh Green scored Lowell's other goal.
Lowell head coach Ron Smith made it a point to bury references to last season.
"It's a waste of time talking about last year," Smith told reporters. "It has no bearing".
But how about this stat? Lowell never won more than two straight games last season.
"It's good when you get a win when you didn't play well," Smith said. "That's two games in a row that's happened. The big question is, why are we getting outplayed with the talent level we have? That's the question. I guess we'll find out in a month or so."
Worcester's Ernie Hartlieb scored a disputed goal with 6:02 left in regulation to tie it.
Lowell looked like it was playing not to lose. But then Damian Surma made the play of the game, circling Worcester's net and threading a pass in front to Bayda, who got a step on his ex-college teammate, Jeff Panzer.
"That was a great play by Surma on the winning goal," Smith said.
Bayda tapped it inside the left post past Reinhard Divis (22 saves) with 3:07 left.
"You always like to play against guys you know," Bayda said. "We have a good rivalry. We talked on the phone (Sunday) last. I better be careful. He might light us up for three goals the next time we play them. It's only one game."
Bayda completed his hat trick with Worcester enjoying a 6-on-4 advantage and Lowell holding onto a slim lead.
The Lock Monsters started sleepily, allowing Worcester to buzz around their end for most of the game's first eight minutes, and they were outshot 16-12 after one period.
When the opening 20 minutes had ended, however, Lowell had a 2-0 lead.
What happened?
Well, Sabourin was outstanding early, giving Lowell a chance to get its legs. Then Worcester gave Lowell a golden chance when the visitors were called for having too many men on the ice.
Thirty-seven seconds later, at 10:17, Bayda had his first goal of the season and Lowell had a 1-0 lead, Brad Fast and Allen Rourke assisting, when Bayda's 45-foot slap shot beat Divis high.
Lowell doubled its lead at 16:52 when Matt Davidson feathered a pass toward the crease. Mike Zigomanis was tied up as he skated by, but the puck slid to Green, who had an empty net to tap his first goal of the season into.
Worcester dominated the second period, taking the body at every chance and dominating in shots to the tune of 14-5.
The IceCats also pulled to within 2-1 on the scoreboard thanks a two-man power play and a little luck.
It's tough enough to kill a two-man advantage when all three skaters have their sticks; Lowell tried to do it with one. First, captain Jason Morgan broke his stick. Then, about 40 seconds later, defenseman Sean Curry, in a clearing attempt, saw his stick break as well.
With only defenseman Allan Rourke still holding onto his lumber, the inevitable happened at 15:18 when Johnny Pohl slipped a shot into the left corner from the doorstep.
"Two broken sticks on a 5-on-3. No, I've never seen that," said Sabourin, who was able to laugh about it because of the outcome.
Notes: Lowell's terrific start has been accomplished without two top players. Defenseman Jesse Wallin arrived in Lowell yesterday morning, but did not play. It took Wallin four days to drive from Calgary and he hadn't skated for six days. Meanwhile, right wing Pavel Brendl (arm injury) may play this weekend. ... Sabourin has stopped 65 of 68 shots while winning both games Lowell has played at Tsongas ... The Monsters host Hartford Saturday night, their only game between now and Oct. 24.