Bernier saves the night in Monarchs' 2-0 win

MANCHESTER – It was the sound of silence for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers last night as Manchester Monarchs goaltender Jonathan Bernier turned aside 40 shots to lead the way in a 2-0 win.

The Monarchs' win came in front of 3,568 fans at Verizon Wireless Arena and improved Manchester to 6-2-0 for 12 points and first place in the AHL Atlantic Division. Bridgeport had won four straight to open the season but has now lost four in a row to drop to 4-4-0. Manchester hosts Providence tonight at 7 p.m.

Bernier, who has shutouts in two consecutive games, deflects credit about as well as he does pucks.

"I think just being in the (locker) room with those guys, you can tell guys just want to play and it makes you want to play your 'A' game," Bernier said. "Great chemistry, that's what happens when you have a good team that is tight. Guys just battle hard."

Bridgeport gained steam as the game wore on, pouring on the pressure in the third period. But Bernier was strong, as was the Monarchs' penalty kill, which held the Sound Tigers to an 0-4 night.

"We found a way to win. It wasn't one of our prettier efforts but it sure felt good seeing our guys celebrate after," said Monarchs head coach Mark Morris. "They realized how hard they had to work against a team that wasn't going to give up easily."

Manchester took a 2-0 lead with 9:13 remaining in the game on an Andrei Loktionov goal. Oscar Moller, back from a two-game stint with Los Angeles, took the puck behind the net and then peeled back, hitting a streaking Loktionov for the quick wrist shot into the net.

The goal was a big one and came amid a period that saw Bridgeport send 18 shots on Bernier.

"Bernier's playing really strong. He just exudes confidence right now," Morris said. "He looks very comfortable and poised. He seems to be in position without having to scramble."

After a scoreless first period, Manchester notched the only goal of the second stanza. Marc-Andre Cliche stole the puck at the blue line and kept the play onside, slipping a pass to Brandon Segal on the right side. Segal then fed John Zeiler for a shot from the slot that beat Nathan Lawson for the 1-0 lead at 9:23.

The second period also featured three fights. Kevin Westgarth and Joel Rechlicz were the first on the card, with Westgarth scoring the win thanks a solid right to the jaw as both men were going to the ice.

Segal then battled Matt Martin, with Martin taking the decision in that one after Segal's jersey ended up over his head, leading to a brief pummeling. Westgarth and Rechlicz then went for round two, with Westgarth once again getting the better of the bout.