Monarchs Game Day Capsule
January 3, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
WHERE WE STAND
The Monarchs head into today's game in first place in the East Division for the third straight week with 42 points, leading Elmira (40 pts.) and Adirondack (38 pts.) for the division lead. Manchester's 42 points are good for second in the Eastern Conference, and third in the ECHL.
LEADING THE WAY
Matt Leitner continues to lead the Monarchs in scoring with 30 points on eight goals and 22 assists, good enough for a second-place tie for ECHL rookies in points and a first place tie in assists. Maxim Kitsyn finds himself second on the Monarchs roster in scoring with 21 points (10g, 11a) and Stefan Legein sticks in the top-3 with 18 points (8g, 10a).
LAST GAME
The script was flipped Saturday night, with Greenville staving off a late comeback, winning the game, 3-2, in a shootout. The Swamp Rabbits got out to a two-goal lead heading into the third period, but Gasper Kopitar would bring the Monarchs within one goal with 14:20 left in the game. Matt Leitner brought the Monarchs back to even, scoring his 8th goal of the season at 17:27 of the third period, sending the game into overtime. The Monarchs had two golden chances to put the game on ice, both coming off the stick of Joey Diamond. Diamond, who had returned from injury on New Year's Eve, was awarded a penalty shot and then found himself on a clean breakaway in the overtime period, but couldn't convert on either opportunity. The game went to a shootout, and Greenville took the extra point when Michael Boivin's 4th round try clanged the cage.
START YOUR ENGINES
Scoring first is always important, but for the Monarchs, scoring first leads to almost certain victories. Heading into the week, Manchester is 11-2-0-1 when lighting the lamp first in a game, a whopping .821 winning percentage. When the Monarchs fail to score first all isn't lost, but the team sports a 9-9-0-1 record and .473 winning percentage when conceding the first goal.
THREE IS THE KEY
The Monarchs are averaging 2.9 goals per game through 31 contests thus far, but hitting three goals is the magic number for the team. In games when the Monarchs are able to score three or more goals, the team's record is 16-0-0-0.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available for today's game (3 p.m.) against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. This will be the last time the Monarchs see Greenville in the regular season.
Group tickets are available for all Monarchs home games at a discounted rate for groups of ten people or more. For more information, visit ManchesterMonarchs.com or call the Monarchs front office at 603-626-7825.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
This Season - 3-2 SO GRN, Jan. 2, 2015
All-Time - 1-0-0-1
MONARCHS POINTS LEADERS
Matt Leitner: 30 points (8g, 22a)
Maxim Kitsyn: 21 points (10g, 11a)
Stefan Legein: (8g, 10a)
SWAMP RABBITS POINTS LEADERS
Scott Fleming: 24 points (10g, 14a)
Bretton Cameron: 21 points (10g, 11a)
Michael St. Croix: 21 points (5g, 16a)
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