MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Manchester Monarchs could not complete their sweep of the Adirondack Thunder on Friday night, falling 4-3 in Game 4 of the first round of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Although the Monarchs could not repeat the sheer dominance, they showed during the first two games of the series in upstate New York, they appeared comfortable against their divisional foes, with Chris Carlisle slotting home the game’s first goal on a casual slapshot from just in front of the blue line.
Carlisle’s goal came just under five minutes into the contest, and Kevin Dufour added a power play score moments before the first intermission to provide Manchester a two-goal lead.
Although Brian Ward kept Manchester netminder Charles Williams from a shutout thanks to his goal in the second period, Manchester’s Nic Pierog built the lead back up to two on a shorthanded goal later in the period.
Matt Salhany slipped the puck past Williams 4:07 into the third period and James Henry’s power play poke from the slot tied things up.
Salhany gave Adirondack the lead with 9:17 left in the contest, camping out on the post to tuck away his second goal of the contest.
Despite a ferocious late onslaught, the Thunder managed to hold their lead, avoiding elimination at the hands of Manchester for the second time in four years.
The two teams meet again at SNHU Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m., with Manchester seeking to conclude the series and face either the Newfoundland Growlers or the Brampton Beast.
