Monarchs Weekly Preview
February 8, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release
WEEK IN REVIEW
For the first time in franchise history, the Monarchs traveled to Reading for a Wednesday night tilt with the Royals. The Monarchs got two goals from Maxim Kitsyn but it was not enough to extend the Monarchs winning streak to seven games, as they fell in Reading, 6-4. The back-and-forth game saw Monarchs goals from Kitsyn (2), Derek Arnold and Robbie Donahoe. The loss dropped the Monarchs record against the Royals this season to 2-2-0-0.
Saturday night, the Monarchs celebrated Pink in the Rink at the Jungle, hosting the Elmira Jackals, winning the game, 4-2, in front of 8010 fans who came to support the Monarchs and the CMC Breast Care Center. The Monarchs got on the board first with a goal from Alex Guptill and added to their first period lead one a goal by Yann Sauvé. Elmira came back to tie things up with a goal in the second and third periods, but the Monarchs sealed the deal with a Matt Leitner tally and an empty-net-goal by Maxim Kitsyn. Colin Stevens took the win, his fourth straight victory.
The Monarchs and Jackals played the only game in the ECHL on Super Bowl Sunday, dropping a high-scoring affair, 5-4. Manchester got on the board first with a goal from recently returned, Zac Larraza. Mark Anthoine added to the lead with his 6th of the season in the second period, but the Jackals fired back with three-unanswered goals late in the second period. Maxim Kitsyn extended his scoring streak to tie the game heading into the third period. After two Elmira goals, Zac Larraza brought the Monarchs to within one, but Manchester couldn't complete comeback.
WHERE WE STAND
The Monarchs head into the week having gone 7-0-2-1 in their last 10 games, and hold a five point advantage for first place in the East Division over Adirondack. The Monarchs carry a 29-14-1-4 (63 pts.) mark into this week's games, tops in the division, with the Adirondack holding on to second place with a 27-12-2-2 (58 pts.) mark.
WHEELING AND DEALING
The Monarchs will play host to Wheeling on Valentine's Day in a 3 p.m. matchup with the Nailers. The Nailers currently hold the 2nd place spot in the Eastern Conference's North Division with (20-20-2-3) 45 points. The Nailers trail the North Division leading Toledo Walleye (27-13-1-3) by 13 points, currently setting the pace in the division with 58 points. Wheeling is currently on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but have been surging as of late with a 4-0-0-1 record in their last five games.
HOME, SWEET HOME!
The Monarchs have enjoyed playing at home this season, playing to a 13-6-1-3 record in The Jungle. Wheeling meanwhile, has been up-and-down on the road so far, carrying a 9-9-0-2 mark away from WesBanco Arena.
LEADING THE WAY
Standout rookie forward, Matt Leitner, sits atop Monarchs scoring list with 39 points on 10 goals and 29 assists and is 3rd in the ECHL amongst rookies in points. Maxim Kitsyn remains in the second spot with 37 points on 19 goals and 18 assists. Kitsyn's 19 goals lead the team in the category. Joey Diamond sits in the third spot with 28 points on eight goals and 30 assists.
Colin Stevens leads Monarchs goaltenders in games played (17), wins (10), shutouts (2) and a 2.35 GAA.
POINTS FROM THE POINT
Both the Monarchs and Nailers have defensemen near the top of the scoring category for defensemen in the ECHL. Manchester's Yann Sauvé is currently tied for sixth amongst all ECHL defensemen with 26 points on six goals and 20 assists. On the other end of the ice, Wheeling's Mathew Maione holds the third spot in with 32 points on five goals and 27 assists. Maione has been equally as impressive on the power-play. His 14 assists when on the man-advantage are tied for tops in the league among defensemen and his 15 points overall on the power-play are good for third in the ECHL for blue-liners.
SHOOTING GALLERY
Sunday's game in Manchester will have two of the most aggressive teams when it comes to pucks-on-net. Entering the week the Monarchs continue to hold the league lead in shots with 1693 in 46 games played, an average of 35.27 per game. Wheeling enters the week fourth in the league in shots with 1486 in 45 games played, an average of 33.02 per game. Conversely, Manchester allows an average of 30.98 shots per game to their opponent, 9th in the ECHL. Wheeling allows an average of 30.4 shots per game to their opponent, 16th most in the ECHL.
TICKETS
The Monarchs return to the Jungle ice Sunday, Feb. 14 (3 p.m.), when they host the Wheeling Nailers on Valentine's Day at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
To purchase tickets, visit ManchesterMonarchs.com or contact the Front Office at 603-626-7825!
Wheeling Nailers (20-20-2-3) at Monarchs (29-14-1-4)
February 14 - Verizon Wireless Arena
GAMES
Sunday, Feb. 14, 3 p.m.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH WHEELING
Last Game - Never Played
This Season - 0-0-0-0
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