Sports stats



ECHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Gut out 5-4 Win over Admirals

February 27, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


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

NORFOLK, Va. - The Manchester Monarchs received four goals from Joey Diamond and a gutty effort from a banged up Colin Stevens, and beat the Norfolk Admirals, 5-4, Saturday night from Scope Arena.

With the win, the Monarchs (35-16-1-4) end their season series with the Admirals (23-29-2-1) with a 6-1-1-1 record.

After a scoreless first period, Troy Power got the scoring started for the Monarchs, netting his 4th goal of the season at 9:25 of the second period on the power play. Power took a tricky backhand pass from Tyler Gjurich from the right face-off circle, and stuffed the puck home through Norfolk Goaltender, Nic Riopel, for the 1-0 Monarchs lead.

Diamond added to the Monarchs lead at 12:21 of the middle period, scoring his 11th goal of the season. Diamond took a stretch pass from Darik Angeli up the left side of the ice and headed in on Riopel on a 2-on-1 with Gjurich. Without the option to pass, Diamond roofed a shot up and over Riopel to push the Monarchs lead to 2-0.

The Admirals would bring the game to a one-goal affair when Jonathan Lessard scored his 14th goal of the season at 17:01 of the second period. Lessard tipped a shot from a short angle by Wes Cunningham past Stevens to make the game, 2-1.

The Monarchs pushed their lead to 3-1 when Diamond scored his second of the period at 18:39. After receiving a pass from Matt Fornataro in the right corner, Diamond threw the puck on net, and somehow it found its way into Riopel's net after bouncing off of the Norfolk goaltender.

Diamond netted his first career hat-trick at 3:00 of the third period, giving the Monarchs a 4-1 lead. Fornataro started the play with a pass from the trapezoid to Diamond who was in the slot, and Diamond sent a snap shot past Riopel for his third goal of the night and 13th of the year.

Norfolk wouldn't go quietly, as Greg Chase scored the second Admirals goal at 4:49 of the final frame, his 15th of the season. Scott Allen sent a puck into the blue paint and Chase was there to stuff the puck through Stevens to make the game, 4-2.

Just under a minute later, Maxime Legault scored his 2nd goal of the season to make the score, 4-3. Devin Mantha started the tic-tac-toe scoring play with a pass from the left boards, hitting Dean Ouellet in the right circle. Ouellet then fired a one-touch pass to Legault just inside the right hash marks who finished the passing play at 5:41.

The Admirals fought all the way back to even when Michael Pelech scored his 9th goal of the year at 11:23 of the period. After an obvious tripping call on Gjurich was not called, Pelech took the loose puck and went in on a breakaway, beating the Stevens to tie the game.

The game looked to be headed to overtime until Diamond potted his fourth goal of the game with :52 seconds remaining on the clock. While on a ferocious forecheck, Diamond stole the puck behind the Admirals net from a defender and stuffed home the game-winner on his forehand, netting his 14th goal of the season.

The Admirals would pull Riopel for an extra attacker, but their last-gasp effort to tie the game was stopped by Stevens and company.

The Monarchs return home Friday, Mar. 4 (7 p.m.) when they host the Orlando Solar Bears and will be collecting clothes for the Goodwill Clothing Drive. The Monarchs will also host their annual American Pride Night on Saturday, Mar. 5 (7 p.m.) against Orlando. 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

Joey Diamond's four goals sets a new game high for the Monarchs this season

Tyler Gjurich scored his first point in a Monarchs sweater with an assist

Monarchs are 17-2-0-1 when outshooting their opponents on the road

Manchester is 13-0-0-0 when leading after two periods on the road and 22-0-0-2 overall




Images from this story

Manchester Monarchs Forward Joe Diamond
Manchester Monarchs Forward Joe Diamond
   

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from February 27, 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.

Other Recent Manchester Monarchs Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central