ST. . JOHNS, N.L. -- Slow starts have plagued the St. Johns IceCaps this season and Sunday was no exception. Ray Kaunisto scored just 20 seconds into the game and Jeff Zatkoff made 27 saves as the Manchester Monarchs shut out the IceCaps 3-0 in American Hockey League action. "We dug ourselves a hole in both games, and our record shows we dont play well from behind," IceCaps captain Jason Jaffray. "Weve given up first period leads in quite a few games in the last couple of week. "Its tough to come back, especially the last 15-20 games of the season, they got tougher as we get closer to the playoffs. Its something we need to fix." Zatkoff made 13 of his saves in the third period, and Kaunisto, Justin Azevedo and Andrei Loktionov scored for the Monarchs (33-29-3). The IceCaps (38-18-7) got off to another slow start after allowing the first goal of the game on the first shot they faced. St. Johns head coach Keith McCambridge had a feeling the game might not go their way after the early goal. "Its tough to dig out of that hole. Youre sitting on the bench and youre wondering, is this going to be one of those nights?" Manchester went ahead when Kaunisto took a pass from Jake Muzzin and streaked down the left boards. He released a wrist shot from a weak angle, but it found its way into the net thanks to a screen. St.Johns all-star defencman, and leading points-scorer, Paul Postma collided in what appeared to be a knee-on-knee collision just minutes after the goal. Postma laid near-motionless on the ice for several minutes before teammates helped him to the bench. "I know that hes day-to-day," McCambridge. "When I saw him he was just icing down. He hasnt left the building as far as I know." IceCaps starter Ed Pasquale, who finished with 18 saves, made several key saves to keep his team in the game, especially during power-play opportunities in the second period that included a 5-on-3 for Manchester. The Monarchs wasted no time in the third period. Azevedo broke into the zone and wired a wrist shot into the top corner at 5:05. Loktionov hopped on a loose puck and skated the length of the ice to deposit it in the IceCaps net to cap the scoring at 19:21. The IceCaps now have six road games before returning home in April. [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-jarrett-bush-jersey-nt-... Bush Jersey . Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has no issue with the way Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison bowled him over during a violent home plate collision on Tuesday night that left the four-time All Star with neck, back and shoulder soreness as well as one big headache. . "Guess were going to have to start taping ankles away from the ballpark, too," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Patton is part of an outstanding bullpen that has kept Baltimore in contention for a playoff berth. [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-ray-nitschke-jersey-wb-... . -- Although Martin Brodeur seems likely to return next season with the New Jersey Devils, the 40-year-old goalie also isnt convinced their current season is over just yet. [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-morgan-burnett-jersey-g... Burnett Jersey . The team activated shortstop John McDonald from the disabled list on Tuesday to take Roberts spot on the roster. McDonald had been sidelined since early June with a back injury. Teams can claim Roberts on waivers, but in the meantime the Diamondbacks have 10 days to work out a trade. . Lidstrom broke the mark Sunday night against the Philadelphia Flyers and was given a standing ovation when the feat was announced during the first period.MIAMI -- Kelly Shoppachs biggest hit with the New York Mets highlighted a four-run ninth that secured the teams sixth victory in seven games. Shoppach hit a go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning that cleared the bases when centre fielder Justin Ruggiano misplayed the ball Saturday night, lifting the New York Mets to a 5-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. "No matter where you are in this game, those are big moments, not only personally, but as far as the momentum going for us," said Shoppach, acquired from Boston on Aug. 14. The Mets had been frustrated most of the night by Josh Johnson, who was on the verge of snapping a personal four-game losing streak. Johnson allowed a run and three hits in eight innings and held the Mets hitless until the fifth. He left leading 3-1. New York rallied for four runs in the ninth against closer Steve Cishek (4-2). Daniel Murphy and David Wright led off with singles to put runners on first and second. Cishek struck out Ike Davis before Lucas Duda singled home Murphy, with Wright reaching third. Mike Baxter fouled out to shortstop Jose Reyes before Cishek walked Andres Torres, loading the bases. After Jason Bay entered to run for Duda, Shoppach singled to centre. How did Shoppach, a late-game defensive replacement, feel stepping to the plate? "Panic, mostly -- my first at-bat coming in in that situation," Shoppach said. "I dont think Ive faced Cishek before. I had a bunch of pitches to see during Andres (Torres) at-bat." Ruggiano let the ball get by him for an error while attempting to field it, allowing Torres to score and Shoppach to reach third. The three runs gave the Mets a 5-3 lead. Mets manager Terry Collins praised Shoppach for hanging in against the side-arming Cishek. "That was a big at-bat for him tonight. Hes faced lefties all year and coming in to face a guy like that is really tough," Collins said. Ramon Ramirez (3-3) pitched the eighth and Frank Francisco earned his 23rd save in 26 tries with a perfect ninth. The Marlins scored a run in the eighth when Carlos Lees one-out single scored Reyes from second. Jeremy Hefner allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out four. "He was down in the zone all night with all hiss pitches, and threw his breaking ball from behind in the count. [url=http://www.packersofficialteamstore.com/autographed-brett-favre-jersey-tk-4... Favre Packers Jersey. I thought he pitched really well," Collins said. Hefner liked what he saw in the ninth. "It was awesome to fight back like that," he said. "Cisheks a good pitcher. That shows the fight in this team. It was fun to watch." Miami went ahead 2-1 in the sixth when Giancarlo Stantons infield single scored Reyes from third. With one out, Reyes and Lee singled to put runners on first and third. Stanton then hit a grounder with much spin toward first. Davis fielded the ball, looked toward the plate, then made a back-handed flip to second baseman Murphy, who was covering first. Murphy caught the ball but his foot fell way short of the first base bag. Stanton was credited with an RBI single. Baxter doubled to left-centre leading off the fifth for the Mets first hit. Baxter took third on a groundout by Torres and scored when Josh Thole grounded out to short with the infield in. Reyes made a nice play to field Tholes grounder on a hard hop, but had little chance to prevent Baxter from scoring. Bryan Petersens RBI double in the third gave Miami a 1-0 lead. Donovan Solano led off with a single and reached second when John Buck grounded out to shortstop. After Johnson struck out, Petersen lined a double to left-centre, where the ball tailed away from centre fielder Torres. Thole snapped an 0-for-30 skid when he open the eighth with a single. But pinch-runner Ronny Cedeno was erased on pinch-hitter Justin Turners double-play grounder. With Cedeno running on the pitch, Turner grounded to the second base bag where Solano fielded the ball, stepped on the base and threw to first. NOTES: Shoppach is hitting .346 (9 for 26) with two homers and seven RBIs for the Mets. ... It was Cisheks fourth blown save. ... The series continues Sunday when Mets RHP Chris Young (3-7, 4.64 ERA) opposes Marlins LHP Mark Buehrle (12-11, 3.62). ... The Mets recalled C Mike Nickeas and 1B-3B Zach Lutz from Triple-A Buffalo before the game. . With the win, the Mets won a third straight series for the first time since Aug. 29-Sept. 7, 2011. . Baxter walked on three balls in the fifth inning Friday night. Baxters at-bat should have continued with a 3-2 count. The mistake was not caught until after the inning. ' ' '