Update on Kings’ AHL, junior prospects

Things are getting tight for the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings’ AHL affiliate. The Monarchs are still in first place in the Atlantic Division, but they have only a two-point lead over the second-place Portland Pirates, and the Pirates have four games in hand. The Monarchs split their weekend games, as they beat Worcester 3-2 in overtime on Friday and lost 3-2 to Charlotte on Sunday.

On Friday, Oscar Moller scored 3:24 into overtime to give the Monarchs the win. Viatcheslav Voynov had tied the game 2-2 with a goal with 7:51 remaining in the third period. Brandon Kozun also scored a goal, his 20th of the season, on the power play. Justin Azevedo, John Zeiler and Bud Holloway had assists and Jeff Zatkoff stopped 29 of 31 shots.

On Sunday, the Monarchs led 2-1 going into the third period but allowed two third-period goals. Ray Kaunisto and Holloway had the goals, Kozun had two assists and Corey Elkins and Marc-Andre Cliche also had assists. Martin Jones stopped 29 of 32 shots in goal.

For the season, Holloway leads the Monarchs with 23 goals and 51 points in 64 games, and is tied with Viatcheslav Voynov for the team lead with 28 assists. Voynov leads all defensemen in scoring with 41 points in 61 games. Dwight King also has 20 goals, and Moller has 17 goals and 25 assists. Kozun has nine goals and nine assists in his last 12 games. In goal, Jones has a 22-9-1 record, a 2.31 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and four shutouts, while Zatkoff has a 15-12-4 record, a 2.90 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage and one shutout.

How about some of the top junior prospects? Here are some quick updates…

J-F Berube, G: 29-7-6 record, 2.68 goals-against average, .900 save percentage and two shutouts in 46 games for Montreal Juniors of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Ranks seventh in league in goals-against average.
Robbie Czarnik, F: 33 goals and 44 assists in 56 games for the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League. Ranks ninth in league in assists and 19th in points (77).
Nicolas Deslauriers, D: 12 goals, 30 assists and 44 penalty minutes in 45 games for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL.
Derek Fobort, D: 0 goals, 15 assists and 24 penalty minutes in 31 games for the University of North Dakota.
Maxim Kitsyn, F: 8 goals and 17 assists in 26 games for Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors of the OHL.
Brayden Schenn, F: 20 goals and 30 assists in 23 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League.
Tyler Toffolil, F: 50 goals and 47 assists in 63 games for the Ottawa 67s of the OHL. Ranks first in league in goals, 13th in assists and third in points (97).
Linden Vey, F: 42 goals and 68 assists in 64 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. Ranks fourth in league in goals, first in assists and first in points (110).
Jordan Weal, F: 36 goals and 52 assists in 66 games for the Regina Pats of the WHL. Ranks 13th in league in goals, ninth in assists and fifth in points (88).

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