MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Monarchs took Game 1 of the 2015 Calder Cup Finals Saturday night against the Utica Comets.
Michael Mersch scored his second goal of the game 4:10 into overtime to give the Manchester Monarchs a 3-2 win.
Manchester, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, outshot Utica, the Vancouver Canucks‘ affiliate, 37-17.
The teams alternated goals in the first and third periods. Brian O’Neill and Mersch scored for the Monarchs. Sven Baertschi and Cory Conacher scored for the Comets. Conacher’s goal 5:24 into the third period tied the game 2-2.
Jacob Markstrom made 34 saves for Utica. Jean-Francois Berube made 15 for Manchester.
In anticipation of the series, on June 4 Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas formally announced a friendly wager for the outcome of the Calder Cup Finals between their cities’ two teams.
If the Utica Comets win, Mayor Gatsas will give Mayor Palmieri a basket from Manchester’s world renown Red Arrow Diner filled with their famous Dinah Fingers, a lobster and maple syrup and a six pack of Manchester’s own beer brewed at Milly’s Tavern.
If the Manchester Monarchs win, Mayor Palmieri will give Mayor Gatsas a Meyda Tiffany lamp, a box of half-moons, a tomato pie, a six pack of Saranac craft beer, Italian pastries, a bottle of vodka from Adirondack Distilling Company and a pound of coffee from Utica Coffee Roasting Company.
The Mayor’s will make the exchange at the halfway point at Saratoga Springs, New York, in August. In addition, the Mayor of the losing team will wear the winning team’s jersey.
Mayor Palmieri stated, “I had the pleasure of speaking with Mayor Gatsas this afternoon and we are very proud of our respective hockey teams. This is great for both our cities and we look forward to an exciting series.”
Mayor Gatsas added, “Mayor Palmieri and I had a spirited discussion this afternoon and look forward to meeting in August. The Queen City is excited and ready to kick off the series Saturday evening!”
Game 2 of the best-of-7 series is Sunday at Manchester (5 p.m. ET).
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