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ECHL Manchester Monarchs

Monarchs Weekly Preview

February 29, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


Manchester Monarchs Face the Orlando Solar Bears
Manchester Monarchs Face the Orlando Solar Bears
(Manchester Monarchs)

WEEK IN REVIEW

The Monarchs played three games inside the East Division this past week, and came out with a 2-1-0-0 record.

Wednesday night, the Monarchs hosted the Adirondack Thunder in a showdown between the top two teams in the division. Adirondack took a lead into the second period, but three consecutive Monarchs goals by Matt Fornataro, Maxim Kitsyn and Alex Roach put Manchester on top heading into the third period. A goal by Adirondack would bring things close, but the Monarchs held on for the victory. Colin Stevens took the win, his 7th consecutive victory, after spending the weekend with the Portland Pirates (AHL).

Friday, the Monarchs found themselves in Norfolk to play the Admirals, and ran into a buzz saw. Prior to the game, the Monarchs lost Scott Sabourin, Matt Leitner and Kitsyn to the Ontario Reign (AHL) and signed Tyler Gjurich and Ryan Patsch from the Danbury Titans (FHL). Patsch would end up scoring his first ECHL goal, but it came after six unanswered Norfolk scores, as the Monarchs fell to the Admirals, 6-1.

Saturday night, the Monarchs gutted out a 5-4 victory over Norfolk in a chippy game. Troy Power opened the scoring on the power play before Joey Diamond scored his first goal of the night. After a Norfolk score, Diamond scored two straight goals to complete his first professional hat-trick. Norfolk would tie things up with three goals in the third period, but Diamond netted his 4th goal of the night with :52 seconds remaining to seal the deal for Manchester. Colin Stevens grabbed his 8th straight victory after sustaining an injury in warm-ups, fighting through visible pain throughout the game.

WHERE WE STAND

The Monarchs begin the week in a virtual tie with the Toledo Walleye for the lead in the Eastern Conference with 75 points, three points ahead of the Florida Everblades. The Monarchs also stretched their East Division lead to seven points over the Adirondack Thunder.

LEADING THE WAY

With the call-ups of Leitner and Kitsyn, Joey Diamond now leads the Monarchs in points with 40 (14g, 26a). Yann Sauvé now sits in second place with 28 points (7g, 21a) and Gasper Kopitar is in third with 24 points (7g, 17a).

NOT SO MAGIC KINGDOM

The Orlando Solar Bears will visit the Verizon Wireless Arena for the first time in franchise history this weekend. The ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in last place in the South Division with a record of 23-22-2-5 and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Orlando sports a 12-7-2-3 record away from the Amway Center and is 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games.

The Solar Bears are led offensively by Eric Faille with 54 points (21g, 33a) on the season, currently sitting in 6th place in the ECHL in scoring. Brady Vail checks in at 16th in the ECHL with his 47 points (17g, 30a).

BACK ON THE BLOCK

When the Solar Bears come to town, they will bring with them former Monarch and UNH Wildcat, Austin Block. The forward played in 40 games with the Monarchs this season, scoring 12 points on three goals and nine assists before being traded to Orlando on February 11. With the Solar Bears, Block has played in eight games, recording one point on one goal.

RECORDS ARE FOREVER

Joey Diamond joined Justin Azevedo (Mar. 10, 2012) as the only two Monarchs players in franchise history to light the lamp four times in a single game when he accomplished the feat Saturday night in Norfolk. Diamond also became the second skater in the ECHL this season to notch four goals in a game, joining Utah's Barry Almeida who accomplished the feat twice.

AMERICAN PRIDE NIGHT

The Monarchs will host the annual American Pride Night on March 5. Join us as we honor our nation's armed forces, police, fire and EMT personnel at our annual American Pride (sponsored by AutoFair) game with a Red, White & Blue mini-stick for 4,000 patriotic fans, courtesy of NH1 News and Monkey Sports! Medal of Honor recipient, Staff Sargent Ryan Pitts, will drop the ceremonial puck and there will be various activities throughout the game, including a U.S. Army swear-in ceremony.

Prior to the game, the Monarchs and Bruins Alumni will team up with The Voice Library and the World War II Foundation to show support for our World War II Veterans. We have a special day set up to recognize these brave men and women with a double-header of hockey action as the Bruins Alumni will be playing veterans in a very special pre-game.

TICKETS

The Monarchs return to the Jungle ice Friday, Mar. 4 (7 p.m.), when they host the Orlando Solar Bears for the first time in franchise history. Clothes will be collected at the doors for the Goodwill Clothing Drive.

Tickets are still available for American Pride Night, Saturday, Mar. 5 (7 p.m.). Click here to get your seats for one of the most anticipated nights of the season!

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

Orlando Solar Bears (23-22-2-5) at Monarchs (35-16-1-4)

March 4, 5 & 6 - Verizon Wireless Arena

GAMES

Friday, Mar. 4, 7:00 p.m. (Goodwill Clothing Drive)

Saturday, Mar. 5, 7:00 p.m. (American Pride Night)

Sunday, Mar. 6, 3:00 p.m. (TD Bank Night)

PREVIOUS MEETINGS WITH ORLANDO

Last Game - 4-3 MCH, Jan. 27

This Season - 3-0-0-0




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Manchester Monarchs Face the Orlando Solar Bears
Manchester Monarchs Face the Orlando Solar Bears
   



ECHL Stories from February 29, 2016


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