HERSHEY, PA – The Monarchs’ five-game winning streak ended in a 6-2 loss to Hershey at the Giant Center on March 28. It marked the most goals surrendered by Manchester in a game this season.
The Monarchs (42-16-6-2) concluded their season series against the Bears (41-19-5-2) with a 2-2-0-0 record in four games.
Michael Mersch, who tied the franchise record with five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in Friday night’s game, also scored a goal tonight. It was his 13th point in his last nine games beginning on Mar. 8.
Hershey opened the scoring with two goals in exactly two minutes. Tim Kennedy scored first at 6:51 in the first and Dustin Gazley made it 2-0 when he buried on a one-timer at 8:51.
Chris Brown made the score 3-0 when he won a foot race to the puck and beat J.F. Berube with a wrister.
Mersch cut the lead to 3-1 when he scored at 18:21 in the first. It marked his fourth goal in his last two games and 16th goal of the season overall.
Garrett Mitchell scored Hershey’s fourth goal at 9:25 in the second period when he came in all alone on Berube.
The Bears made it 5-1 when Gazley netted his second goal of the game at 12:34 in the second.
Colin Miller scored a power-play goal at 1:59 in the third to make it 5-2. It was Miller’s team-high 10th power-play goal of the season and 17th goal of the year overall.
Jim O’Brien extended the Hershey lead to 6-2 when he tallied his seventh goal of the season at 13:19 in the third.
With a loss by the Springfield Falcons Saturday, the Manchester Monarchs have officially clinched a spot in the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Monarchs will finish their road trip with a 3:05 p.m. game at Lehigh Valley Sunday.
Notes:
- Tonight marked the most goals surrendered by the Monarchs since a 7-5 loss at POR on Mar. 29, 2014.
- Sean Backman (assist) has seven goals and three assists over his last nine games beginning on Mar. 8.
- The Monarchs outshot the Bears, 42-17. It was their second straight game with at least 40 shots (48 on Friday).
- PatrikBartosak replaced J.F.Berube at the 12:34 mark in the second period.Berube surrendered five of Hershey’s goals.
You’re one click away! Sign up for our free eNewsletter and never miss another thing
