Kopitar nets game-winner in shootout

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Kopi
Gasper Kopitar (courtesy photo)

MANCHESTER, N.H. –  The Manchester Monarchs concluded their first homestand of the 2018-’19 season on Saturday with a well-earned win against division rival Reading, a 4-3 shootout victory.

After an uneventful start, both teams concluded the first period with a flurry of goals.

That barrage began as Manchester’s Austin Strand one-timer just in front of the blue line, creating a Monarchs lead until Dan Milan evened up the contest with a shot sailing just over the glove hand of Monarchs goaltender Charles Williams.

Manchester quickly responded, as Stepan Falkovsky set up shop between the faceoff circles and slotted home a goal through a congested crease.

Reading’s Steven Swavely provided one last goal heading into the intermission, a trickling shot that nudged its way just past the right post.

Nick Luuko gave Reading its first lead halfway through the second period, but the Monarchs were able to make the game level once again with just under five minutes left in the third period as Tony Cameranesi put home his third goal of the season.

Without any resolution in the overtime period, the deadlock ended thanks to a shootout goal from Manchester’s Gaspar Kopitar.

Former Monarch Brandon Komm ended the night with 30 saves, with Williams ending the night with 29 saves.

With the loss, Manchester climbs to 2-1-0-1 on the season while Reading falls to 2-0-1-1.

The Monarchs return to the ice on Wednesday with a short road trip, making a jaunt to Portland their first ever regular season contest against the Maine Mariners.

About this Author

Andrew Sylvia

Assistant EditorManchester Ink Link

Born and raised in the Granite State, Andrew Sylvia has written approximately 10,000 pieces over his career for outlets across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. On top of that, he's a licensed notary and licensed to sell property, casualty and life insurance, he's been a USSF trained youth soccer and futsal referee for the past six years and he can name over 60 national flags in under 60 seconds according to that flag game app he has on his phone, which makes sense because he also has a bachelor's degree in geography (like Michael Jordan). He can also type over 100 words a minute on a good day.