GLENS FALLS, NY – Doug Carr stopped all 30 shots he faced, as the Manchester Monarchs shut out the Adirondack Thunder, 3-0, Saturday night from the Glens Falls Civic Center.
With the win, the Monarchs (38-21-4-5) dropped their East Division magic number against the Thunder (35-25-2-4) to four points, with two games remaining between the teams in the regular season. Manchester also clinched their first ECHL playoff berth with the win and an Elmira regulation loss to the Brampton Beast.
The Monarchs broke the ice with an unassisted goal by Mark Anthoine, his 10th tally of the season. Anthoine stole a clearing pass in the high slot, and sent a wrister past Adirondack goaltender, Drew Fielding, to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead at 7:30 of the opening period.
Matt Fornataro extended the Monarchs advantage when he scored his 7th goal of the season at 3:13 of the second period. Alex Roach sent a slap shot from the middle of the blue line while on the power play that Fornataro tipped past Fielding, giving the Monarchs a 2-0 advantage.
The Monarchs sealed the deal when Kevin Morris notched an empty-net goal at 18:38 of the final frame. Morris grabbed the puck in front of the Monarchs bench and tried to hit Troy Power with a backhand pass, and although the puck missed Power’s stick, there was nothing between the puck and Adirondack’s empty net, giving the Monarchs a 3-0 lead.
Carr was the story of the night however, stopping multiple breakaway chances by the Thunder, including a pivotal penalty shot early in the third period. The Monarchs get back on the ice Friday, April 1 (7:15 p.m.), when they visit the Eastern Conference leading, Toledo Walleye, at the Huntington Center.
Notes
- Carr recorded his 1st shutout of the season and 3rd of his career
- Carr stopped a Greg Wolfe penalty shot at 7:26 of the 3rd period
- Manchester handed Adirondack their fourth-straight home shutout
- The Monarchs won their second road game of the season when being outshot (2-7-0-0)
