ECHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Week Preview

November 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW

The Monarchs came out of a four-game week with six points, beating the Kalamazoo Wings on Tuesday in Michigan, and then taking two of three games with the Toledo Walleye over the weekend at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

Tuesday night, the Monarchs exploded for their highest goal output of the season to date, lighting the lamp seven times, en route to a 7-3 victory over Kalamazoo. Despite being scored on just :16 seconds into the game, the Monarchs came back with six of the next seven goals scored, including five straight. Matt White notched the first hat-trick of the season for the Monarchs, and Derek Arnold scored in his first game back after being recalled from loan. Troy Power, Matt Leitner and Gasper Kopitar added the four other Monarchs goals.

Finally returning home to the Verizon Wireless Arena after playing five games on the road, the Monarchs beat the Toledo Walleye, 5-4, Friday night, in the first meeting of a three-game series. Arnold's second goal in as many games and a tally from newly assigned, Yann Sauve, put the Monarchs ahead 2-0 midway through the first period. Toledo came storming back to score three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead heading into the third period. The Monarchs had to even the score twice in the last frame, with Stefan Legein bringing the Monarchs back the first time, just :56 seconds into the period. After the fourth Walleye goal, Zac Larazza brought Manchester back, scoring his 3rd goal of the season. Mike Boivin would score what would prove to be the game-winner :59 seconds later.

Saturday night's game was a bit of a clunker for the Monarchs, losing 6-2, on Mullets in Movember night. Maxim Kitsyn scored two goals in the first period, but the Monarchs were done in by a three-goal second period by Toledo. The game did mark the return of former Monarchs goaltender, Patrik Bartosak, who was assigned to Manchester by the Los Angeles Kings on a conditioning assignment.

Sunday's game proved to be a bounce-back game for the Monarchs, as they won the rubber match, sending Toledo home with a 4-3 shootout loss. Joe Diamond put the Monarchs ahead early in the game, scoring his 4th goal of the season at 1:18. After two Toledo goals to end the first period, Kitsyn got back on the board, scoring his 4th goal of the season. Matt White added to the lead on his 7th goal of the year, sending Monarchs to the room up 3-2. The third period saw the Walleye tie things up early, but no winner was crowned in regulation. The teams traded scoring chances in the overtime period, and the Monarchs couldn't capitalize on the power play, sending the game to a shootout. Gasper Kopitar and David Kolomatis scored on their chances, and Austin Block scored in the 10th round to put the Monarchs ahead. Bartosak ended the game, stopping Joel Chouinard on the last shot of the shootout.

HIT THE ROAD JACK-ALS

The Elmira Jackals are in town for quick visit to the Verizon Wireless Arena. The game Wednesday morning will mark the first of five games Elmira will play in the Queen City, and second of eleven total matchups on the season. The divisional foe (10 points) currently sits two points behind the Monarchs in the standings, and is tied for 4th place in the East Division with the Norfolk Admirals. Elmira comes to town losers of their last two games but with a winning record on the road, sitting at 3-2-0-0 thus far.

REAR ADMIRALS

Norfolk makes their first appearance in Manchester as members of the ECHL. Last season as member of the AHL, the two teams faced-off four times, with the Monarchs winning 3-of-4 games. The three-game series will start the first of five games between the teams at the Verizon Wireless Arena, and nine contests overall. The Admirals currently sit tied with the Jackals for 4th place in the division (10 points), with a 5-8-0-0 record. Norfolk will play a morning game this week before heading to Manchester, taking on the Adirondack Thunder, Wednesday at 10 a.m.

LEADING THE WAY

Matt White leads the Monarchs in scoring after a strong week, with 13 points on seven goals and six assists. Matt Leitner (3g, 9a) and Joe Diamond (4g, 7a) are close behind with 12 and 11 points respectively. Leitner is currently tied for 3rd in the ECHL for rookie scoring, just two points behind the leaders while still playing in the fewest games amongst the top-5. Josh Brown currently leads all ECHL rookies in plus/minus rating, sitting at +9, looking up at only Maxim Kitsyn (+10) who leads the entire ECHL in the category.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

The White-Kopitar-Kitsyn line is starting to show their scoring touch, combining for 28 points over the last six games on 12 goals and 16 assists. All three players saw significant playing time with the Ontario Reign (ECHL) last season, and are providing plenty of points recently.

TICKETS

The Monarchs will celebrate their annual "Education Day" game, Wednesday, Nov. 18, when they welcome the Elmira Jackals to the Verizon Wireless Arena, as the Jungle will become the largest classroom in New England!

Saturday night is "90's Night" in the Jungle, as the Monarchs host the Norfolk Admirals. A new tradition will be started, taking fans back two decades. We want to see scrunchies and wind pants on all fans in attendance. We'll have a little something for everybody: Third eye Blind, Hanson, Boyz II Men and many other hits from the 90's will be played. The first 4,000 fans through the door will receive specialty Monarchs plastic cups courtesy of State Farm.

To purchase tickets visit ManchesterMonarchs.com or contact the Front Office at 603-626-7825!

at Elmira Jackals (5-7-0-0) at Monarchs (6-5-0-0)

November 18 - Verizon Wireless Arena

at Norfolk Admirals (5-8-0-1) at Monarchs (6-5-0-0)

November 20, 21 & 22 - Verizon Wireless Arena

Media Contact: Matt Johnson (mjohnson@manchestermonarchs.com)

GAMES

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. (Education Day)

Friday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. (90's Night)

Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m. (Monarchs Care Food Drive)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH ELMIRA

Last Game - Monarchs won 4-2, October 31.

This Season - 1-0-0-0

PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH NORFOLK

Last Game - Have not played

This Season - 0-0-0-0



ECHL Stories from November 17, 2015


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