Monarchs Weekly Preview
January 25, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
WEEK IN REVIEW
The Monarchs played a three-game weekend series with the Adirondack Thunder, playing to a 3-0-0-0 record, taking all six points and vaulting themselves into first place in the East Division.
Friday night, the Monarchs went back-and-fourth with Adirondack in a wildly entertaining game in Glens Falls, N.Y. The Monarchs fired a season high 54 shots on goal in the 6-5 shootout win. The teams combined for seven second period goals, with two of Manchester's four goals in the period coming from Derek Arnold. Adirondack tied the game in the late stages of the third period to send it to overtime. After a scoreless overtime, the teams settled it in a shootout when Monarchs defensemen, Yann Sauve, scored the lone goal of the shootout session, securing the 6-5 win.
Saturday night, the Monarchs returned home to the Verizon Wireless Arena to continue their three-game series with the Thunder. Gasper Kopitar scored the game-winning goal for Manchester, capturing their second victory in as many nights over the Thunder. Adirondack opened the scoring with a first period goal from Louick Marcotte, which proved to be Adirondack's lone goal of the night. Manchester tied the game on Joey Diamond's 7th goal of the season, getting an assist from goaltender, Colin Stevens, marking the first assist by a Monarchs goalie this season.
Sunday afternoon, the Monarchs concluded their three-game weekend series with Adirondack, winning, 3-2, in overtime. The Thunder got out to a two-goal advantage, but Mark Anthoine scored late in the second period (19:01) to cut the lead in half heading to the third period. Joey Diamond squared the game just over five minutes into the final frame, but again, the game couldn't be decided in regulation. In overtime, Matt MacKenzie fired a wrister past Thunder goaltender, Kent Simpson, to complete the three-game sweep.
WHERE WE STAND
The Monarchs head into the week atop the Division standings after a week in second place, with a 25-12-1-4 record and 55 points. The Adirondack Thunder remain on the Monarchs heels with 54 points and the Elmira Jackals round out the top three with 45 points. The 55 points ranks second in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Florida Everblades (59 points), and third in the ECHL with Missouri taking the top spot (64 points).
FUN IN THE SUN
The Monarchs will travel to Orlando, Fla. for the first time in team history to battle the Orlando Solar Bears in a three-game series. The Monarchs have had good success away from The Jungle this season, posting a 13-7-0-1 record in opposing barns. Orlando currently sits in last place in the South Division with a 17-16-2-3 (39pts.) record and are currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Despite their overall record, Orlando has been playing well of late, posting a 7-3-0-0 record in the last 10 games, but have struggled at home, notching a 6-9-0-0 record on home ice.
LEADING THE WAY
With the loan of Matt Leitner to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), Maxim Kitsyn slides into the team lead with 30 points on 15 goals and 15 assists. Kitsyn's 15 goals leads the team in the category. Yann Sauve sits in second for Monarchs scoring with 24 points (5g, 19a) and Joey Diamond cracks the top-3 for the first time this season with 22 points (7g, 15a).
Doug Carr continues to lead Monarchs goaltenders with a 2.08 GAA and 0.938 save %.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
With their overtime wins Friday night and Sunday afternoon, the Monarchs have now played in 12 overtime games this season, tied for most in the ECHL with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Brampton Beast. In those games, Manchester has compiled a 7-0-1-4 record, good for a .583 winning percentage when the game goes past 60 minutes.
SPECIAL ON THE ROAD
The Monarchs special teams have been particularly good on the road this season, ranking 6th in the ECHL in both power play and penalty kill percentage. Offensively, the Monarchs are converting on 20.3% of their man-advantage chances away from the Jungle, while their penalty kill runs an 85.9% success rate.
Special teams may play a big part this week in Orlando, and as the numbers look, the Monarchs should have an advantage. At home, the Solar Bears rank 26th in the ECHL in power play percentage, sitting at 9.8%, while their penalty kill is only turning away 80.0% of opposing opportunities, good for 24th in the league for home teams.
NEVER SAY DIE
The Monarchs now have 12 wins when trailing after the first period of games, second most in the ECHL, and lead the entire league in wins when trailing after two periods (6). The two come-from-behind victories over Adirondack were significant not only in the standings, but also marked firsts for the Thunder. Manchester handed Adirondack its first regulation loss when leading after the first period (17-1-1-1) Saturday, and their second loss (20-0-2-0) when leading after two periods Sunday afternoon.
WINNING THE CLOSE ONE
Manchester has played in the second-most one-goal games in the ECHL (13), but is tied for most wins in those contests. The Monarchs boast an 8-1-1-3 record in one-goal games, and their 20 points ranks first in the league in such games.
GOING STREAKING
Heading into the week, linemates Joey Diamond and Danick Paquette find themselves with hot hands. Diamond is riding a five-game point streak (2g, 5a) with 18 shots on net and a +3 rating. Paquette is carrying a four-game point streak (2g,2a) since returning from suspension, adding 13 shots and a +2 rating.
Doug Carr has not lost a game in regulation since Dec. 13, posting a 4-0-0-3 record in that time frame.
TICKETS
The Monarchs return to the Jungle ice Saturday, Feb. 6 (7 p.m.), when they host the Elmira Jackals in a divisional showdown at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Pink in the Rink Night! The Monarchs Care Foundation and Catholic Medical Center will be raising funds and awareness for breast cancer. The ice will be pink and so will the jerseys the Monarchs will wear, as the team pays tribute to those affected by breast cancer.
Pink Packs are available and include a t-shirt, flex voucher and a donation to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
To purchase tickets, visit ManchesterMonarchs.com or contact the Front Office at 603-626-7825!
GAMES
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH ORLANDO
Last Game - Never played
This Season - 0-0-0-0
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