ECHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Fall in Overtime, 3-2, to Orlando

March 4, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


Manchester Monarchs Forward Joe Diamond
Manchester Monarchs Forward Joe Diamond
(Manchester Monarchs)

MANCHESTER, N.H. - The Manchester Monarchs got a late goal from Danick Paquette to force overtime, but fell to the Orlando Solar Bears, 3-2, in overtime Friday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The Monarchs (35-16-2-4) dropped their first game of the season to the Solar Bears (24-22-3-5) after sweeping a three-game series in Orlando in late January.

"I thought it was a good hockey game for both teams," Head Coach, Rich Seeley, said. "Ultimately, we didn't get the result that we wanted. Our guys worked hard, and if we play that way the rest of the weekend, we'll be just fine."

The Solar Bears opened the scoring with a power-play goal from Jack Rodewald at 6:38 in the first period. Brenden Miller took a shot from the right point that Rodewald deflected down to the ice, and the puck bounced straight over Monarchs goaltender, Michael Houser, for Rodewald's 13th goal of the season.

Manchester tied the game when Joey Diamond netted his 15th tally of the season at 5:07 in the second period. After taking a pass from Troy Power in the neutral zone, Diamond skated into Orlando territory on a 2-on-1, and blasted a wrist shot from the left dot up and over the glove of Orlando goaltender, Ryan Madore.

The Solar Bears took the lead on James Martin's 1st goal of the season at 7:03 in the second period. The play started when Rodewald picked up the loose puck off a rebound given up by Houser. Rodewald then found Martin at the left point for a one-timer that snuck past Houser's right shoulder. The play was disputed as the puck seemed to have hit a glove on the way to the net, but the goal stood, and the Monarchs were down, 2-1.

The Monarchs evened the game at 10:29 in the third period when Danick Paquette scored his 10th goal of the season. After Zac Larraza found Gasper Kopitar in the slot, Kopitar found Paquette parked in the front of the net where he slid in the puck five-hole past Solar Bears goaltender, Rob Madore.

Rory Rawlyk scored the game-winning-goal, for the Solar Bears at 1:24 in overtime, netting his 2nd goal of the season. Patrick Watling and Rawlyk went in on a 2-on-1 after a bad no-call in the Monarchs offensive end, and Rawlyk tipped home the deciding goal top-shelf over Houser's left shoulder.

The Monarchs are back in action Saturday when they host American Pride Night (7 p.m.) at the Jungle, in the middle game of a three-game series with the Solar Bears. Prior to the game, the Boston Bruins Alumni will play a game against local service women and men and the first 4,000 fans in the building will receive Red, White and Blue mini-sticks courtesy of NH1 and Monkey Sports.

Notes

Matt Fornataro played in his 300th career North American game

Michael Houser started for the Monarchs for the first time since Nov. 27

Danick Paquette scored a goal in his return from a three-game suspension




Images from this story

Manchester Monarchs Forward Joe Diamond
Manchester Monarchs Forward Joe Diamond
   



ECHL Stories from March 4, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central