Monsters fall at Abbottsford in Shootout

Playing his first-ever game in the American Hockey League, rookie goaltender Kent Patterson posted a shutout through 65 minutes of regulation and overtime for the Lake Erie Monsters (24-17-2-5), before the Monsters fell in a shootout 1-0 to the Abbotsford Heat (26-16-3-4) Sunday evening. 

The Monsters out-shot Abbotsford 38-23, but were unable to solve Heat all-star goalie Barry Brust.  The Monsters gain a point in the standings with the shootout loss and have points in nine of their last 10 games, but have now dropped three straight games in shootouts and are winless in their last four overall.

The Monsters mustered double-digit shot totals against the Heat in each period, and out-shot Abbotsford 3-0 in overtime, but the goaltenders' duel required a shootout for a decision. 

In the shootout, Abbotsford outscored the Monsters 3-2 in six rounds for the win.  Rookies Markus Lauridsen and Paul Carey converted for Lake Erie.

Patterson stopped 23 shots and is 0-0-1 for the Monsters after starting the season for Lake Erie’s Central Hockey League affiliate, the Denver Cutthroats.  Brust is 11-7-2 with the win, stopping all 38 shots sent his way.

The Monsters host Rochester Tuesday at 10:45 AM.

NOTES: The Monsters finish the eight-game season series against Abbotsford with a record of 2-4-0-2... The Monsters are 5-5 in shootouts this season... With a goal in the shootout, Markus Lauridsen is 2-2 in shootouts this season... Paul Carey is 1-4 in shootouts... The Monsters road record moves to 14-9-1-2... The Monsters are 5-2-0-4 over their last 11 games.