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ECHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Weekly Preview

January 18, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW

The Monarchs played a weekend two-game series with the Norfolk Admirals, playing to an 0-0-1-1 record, taking two points of the possible four.

Saturday night, the Monarchs found themselves in a two-goal hole late in the third period, but Joey Diamond broke the Norfolk shutout with his 6th goal of the season at 17:08 in the final frame. Michael Boivin squared the game with :27 seconds left in the game, scoring his 5th goal of the season. The game went to overtime and Derek Arnold had a chance to end the game, but hit the post from in close, and Norfolk went on to score at 2:32 into the extra period, when Alexis Loiseau notched his 7th goal of the season

Sunday, it was the Admirals who made a comeback in the third period, eventually winning the game in a shootout. The Monarchs gave up the first goal of the game, but responded with three scores in a row by Danick Paquette, Derek Arnold and Maxim Kitsyn. After two Norfolk goals to tie things up, Michael Boivin scored for the second night in a row to put the Monarchs ahead at 19:19 of the second period. Norfolk would eventually tie the game at 16:41 in the third period, sending the game to overtime for a second straight night. After a scoreless extra period, the game went to a shootout where Scott Allen notched the only goal. Doug Carr took the loss in the game, but the team received some reinforcement in the form of Paquette, who returned to action after serving a suspension.

WHERE WE STAND

The Monarchs head into the week in second place in the East Division for the first time in five weeks with 49 points, one point behind the Adirondack Thunder (50 pts.). The Monarchs are nine points clear of third place Reading (41 pts.) and sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

THERE'S A STORM BREWING

The Monarchs will play an important three-game set with the Adirondack Thunder beginning Friday night in Glens Falls, N.Y. The two teams have been locked in first or second place in the division for all but the first week of the season. The Monarchs haven't hit their stride against Adirondack however, playing to a 2-5-0-0 record with eight games between the two teams remaining.

LEADING THE WAY

Matt Leitner continues to lead the Monarchs in scoring with 33 points on eight goals and 25 assists. Leitner is tied for second in scoring amongst ECHL rookie skaters and tied for second in assists for first year players. Maxim Kitsyn sits second on the Monarchs roster in scoring with 27 points (14g, 13a) and Yann Sauvé remains third in Monarchs scoring with 22 points (5g, 17a).

Doug Carr is showing himself nicely in a Monarchs sweater, posting a 3-1-0-4 record with a 1.76 GAA and 0.947 save percentage.

HITTING MILESTONES

Several Monarchs hit major career milestones this week. Joe Diamond notched his 50th professional point in the January 17 game against Norfolk when he assisted on Derek Arnold's second period goal, reaching that total in his 95th professional game.

Captain, David Kolomatis, played in his 350th career professional game Sunday afternoon, spanning his eight year career. Kolomatis has played for the Providence Bruins (AHL), Monarchs (AHL & ECHL) and Hershey Bears in his North American career, also playing one season with Tappara Tampere in the SM-liiga.

Matt MacKenzie also reached a games played milestone, playing in his 200th career game in his 5th professional season. This season marks MacKenzie's first with the Monarchs while previously playing for the Elmira Jackals (ECHL), Rochester Americans (AHL), Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL) and Gwinnett Gladiators (ECHL).

Finally, Danick Paquette notched his 60th professional goal and 130th career point with his tally Sunday afternoon, hitting the milestone in his 266th professional game to go along with 1046 penalty minutes in his six-year career.

LEADING IN SHOTS

The Monarchs continue to lead the ECHL in shots on goal, entering the week with 1361 pucks on net in their 39 games, an average of 34.9 shots/game. Maxim Kitsyn leads all Monarchs with 124 tries on goal (4th in the ECHL), with David Kolomatis (102) and Michael Boivin (101) sitting at 4th and 5th respectively for all ECHL defensemen in shots on goal.

FRONT RUNNING ISN'T A BAD THING

The Monarchs have scored first in only 17 of their 39 games, but when they do, points usually follow. At the start of the week, the Monarchs are 13-2-0-2 (28 pts.) when scoring the first goal of the game, which comes to a .824 points percentage. Compared to the rest of the ECHL, the Monarchs are 6th overall in points percentage when going ahead first in a game.

TICKETS

The Monarchs return to the Jungle ice Jan. 23 (7 p.m.), when they host the Adirondack Thunder at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Law Enforcement Appreciation Night.

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

Visit us at ManchesterMonarchs.com, follow the team on Twitter: @MonarchsHockey, and like us on Facebook for additional information.

Monarchs (22-12-1-4) at Adirondack Thunder (24-9-1-1)

January 22 - Glens Falls Civic Center

Adirondack Thunder (24-9-1-1) at Monarchs (22-12-1-4)

January 23 & 24 - Verizon Wireless Arena

GAMES

Friday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m. - Law Enforcement Appreciation Night

Sunday, Jan. 24, 3 p.m.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH ADIRONDACK

Last Game - Jan. 6, 5-2 ADK

This Season - 2-5-0-0



ECHL Stories from January 18, 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.

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