ECHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Weekly Preview

Published on February 1, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW

For the first time in franchise history, the Monarchs played a series with the Orlando Solar Bears, playing to a 3-0-0-0 record, capturing all six points.

Thursday night, Monarchs goaltender, Colin Stevens, recorded his second shutout of the season, stopping all 25 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory. The Monarchs received goals from Danick Paquette and Joey Diamond, with Mark Anthoine chipping in an empty-net-goal to secure the Monarchs' first ever victory over the Solar Bears.

Friday night, the Monarchs saw similar results, this time with Doug Carr between the pipes. Carr stopped 39 of 40 shots he faced, en route to a Monarchs 3-1 win. Carr was aided by three consecutive second period goals from Alex Guptill, Derek Arnold, and Anthoine. With five penalties committed by the Monarchs in the third period, Orlando was finally able to get one by Carr, as Rylan Schwartz netted the Solar Bears first power-play-goal in eight tries throughout the game with just over a minute to go in regulation.

The Monarchs completed the three-game sweep of Orlando on Saturday night, but needed a shootout to do it. The Monarchs got out to a 2-0 lead after the first period with goals from Arnold and Guptill. The Solar Bears answered with three of their own in the second period from Schwartz, T.J. Foster, and Johnny McInnis, giving them the lead for the first time in series, 3-2, after two periods. Manchester's standout rookie, Matt Leitner, scored the equalizer mid-way through the third, sending the game to overtime. After a scoreless overtime and three rounds of a shootout, Arnold scored to ice the game and the series for the Monarchs.

WHERE WE STAND

The Monarchs head into the week on a tear, having gone 8-0-1-1 in their last 10 games, and hold a five point advantage for first place in the East Division over Adirondack. The Monarchs boast a 28-12-1-4 (61 pts.) record, with the Thunder holding on to second place with 56 points. Reading enters the week in third place in the East with a record of 20-17-4-3 (47 pts.). Elmira is tied for the third spot, posting a 23-20-1-0 record (47 pts.) The Monarchs begin the week trailing the Florida Everblades (61 pts.) by mere percentage points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

THEY'LL NEVER BE ROYALS

The Monarchs will travel to Reading, PA. for the first time this season to take on the Royals. The Monarchs took two-of-three from the Royals in Manchester over a three-game weekend series in early December, outscoring Reading by a 7-4 margin. The Monarchs continue to have good success away from The Jungle this season, posting a 16-7-0-1 record in opposing barns. Reading enters the week with a 10-9-2-1 record from the comforts of Santander Arena. In their past 10 games, Reading has posted a 4-4-2-0 record and have not won at home since Jan. 10.

Justin Crandall is the player to watch out for Reading, as the forward sits tied for 5th in the ECHL in scoring, totaling 43 points on 11 goals and 32 assists.

HOME, SWEET HOME!

Manchester will host another divisional foe for two games this weekend, as the Elmira Jackals return to The Jungle. Elmira brings a respectable road record to The Jungle, carrying a 12-6-1-0 mark away from First Arena, and the Monarchs will put their 12-5-1-3 home record on the line. The Jackals have been exceptionally difficult to play in close games this season, posting a 14-3-1-0 record in one-goal games coming into the week. The Monarchs in comparison hold a 16-2-1-4 record in games separated by one goal.

Elmira finds themselves just outside of the playoff structure to begin the week, and have not been playing well of late, recording a 3-6-1-0 record in the last 10 games.

PINK IS THE NEW RINK

The Monarchs will play in their most meaningful game of the season Saturday night, as the annual Pink in the Rink game will be played at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The Monarchs Care Foundation and Catholic Medical Center will be raising funds and awareness about 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. Before the puck drops there will be many pre-game activities, including a tribute to breast cancer survivors on the ice. CMC CEO, Dr. Joseph Pepe, will drop the ceremonial puck.

LEADING THE WAY

Matt Leitner returns from his loan to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and reclaims the top spot on the Monarchs scoring list with 37 points on nine goals and 28 assists, and is 3rd in the ECHL amongst rookies in points. Maxim Kitsyn remains in the second position with 33 points on 15 goals and 18 assists. Kitsyn's 15 goals lead the team in the category. Joey Diamond sits in the third spot with 25 points on 8 goals and 17 assists.

Doug Carr continues to lead Monarchs goaltenders with a 1.99 GAA and 0.942 save %.

Colin Stevens leads Monarchs goaltenders in games played (17), wins (10), and shutouts (2).

EXTRA! EXTRA!

With their shootout win on Friday night in Orlando, the Monarchs have now played in 13 overtime games this season, second- most in the ECHL trailing only the Brampton Beast. In those games, Manchester has compiled an 8-0-1-4 record, good for a .615 winning percentage when the game goes past 60 minutes.

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

The Monarchs carry a six-game road winning streak into their matchup with Reading on Wednesday night, the longest active road winning streak in the ECHL. Manchester's current streak is tied for the third highest in the ECHL this season. The Monarchs have also scored 82 goals on the road this season which is the most in the ECHL, seven more than the Orlando Solar Bears

SPECIAL ON THE ROAD

The Monarchs special teams have been particularly good on the road this season, and with the Monarchs netting two more goals via the man-advantage in Orlando last week, the team leapfrogged into 5th in the ECHL on the power play and are 6th in penalty kill percentage. Offensively, the Monarchs are converting on 20.5% of their man-advantage chances away from the Jungle, while their penalty kill runs an 85.3% success rate.

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! Pink Packs are available and include a t-shirt, flex voucher and a donation to the Catholic Medical Center's Breast Care Center.

Proceeds from the evening, including a game-worm jersey auction, will go to the Catholic Medical Center's Breast Care Center.

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

Elmira Jackals (23-20-1-0) at Monarchs (28-12-1-4)

February 6 & 7 - Verizon Wireless Arena

GAMES

Wednesay, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m. - Pink in the Rink

Sunday, Feb. 7, 1 p.m.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH READING

Last Game - Dec. 6, 4-2 MCH

This Season - 2-1-0-0

PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH ELMIRA

Last Game - Jan. 9, 4-1 MCH

This Season - 3-1-0-1

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