MANCHESTER, NH – Two goals from Derek Arnold propelled the Manchester Monarchs to a 4-2 victory over the Kalamazoo Wings on Saturday night at SNHU Arena.
The Monarchs (12-7-1-1) took the first game in franchise history against the Wings (7-12-1-1), and look to sweep the series Sunday afternoon.
“We had a solid team effort tonight,” Monarchs Head Coach, Rich Seeley, said. “We played our systems the proper way and the guys played at a good pace to be successful.”
The Monarchs got on the board first at 18:49 of the first period when Quentin Shore scored a power-play-goal, his 8th goal of the season. Teddy Doherty sent a cross-ice pass to Shore in the right circle where the first-year skater made no mistake, burying the puck behind Wings goaltender, Nick Riopel, to give Manchester a 1-0 lead.
Arnold extended the Monarchs lead when he scored his 5th goal of the season at 3:17 of the second period. The Monarchs executed a 3-on-2 break perfectly, as Dan Ciampini jumped into the offensive zone and sent a cross-ice pass to Shore who found Arnold streaking down the slot. Arnold finished-off the tic-tac-toe passing play, sending the puck past Riopel to make the score, 2-0, Monarchs.
The Wings got on the board when Lane Scheidl scored a shorthanded goal at 5:10 of the second period, just eight seconds into a Monarchs power play. Scheidl received a pass from Ben Wilson and while alone on a break, Scheidl roofed a shot past Monarchs goaltender, Sam Brittain, to make the score, 2-1.
The Monarchs took their two-goal lead back when Arnold scored his second goal of the game at 6:43 while on the power play. After receiving a pass from Zac Lynch, Arnold found himself with some room at the top of the right circle where he beat Riopel to make it a 3-1 game.
Manchester added to their lead when Rihards Bukarts scored his 2nd goal of the season at 14:41 of the second period. Bukarts tipped the puck home off a shot from the point by Teddy Doherty that snuck its way past the right pad of Riopel, making the score, 4-1, Monarchs.
Kalamazoo was able cut the Monarchs lead in half at 15:34 of the third period when Scott Henegar was able to bank a shot off the back of Brittain from behind the net, to make it 4-2 Manchester.
The Monarchs are back in action Sunday afternoon (3 p.m.), when they finish their two-game series with the Kalamazoo Wings at SNHU Arena in the annual Teddy Bear Toss Game.
Notes
- Derek Arnold scored two goals for the first time since Jan.22, 2016
- Sam Brittain recorded his 35th professional victory
- Craig Wyszomirski dropped the gloves for the first time in his career
- Daniel Ciampini recorded his 40th professional assist
Spend New Year’s Eve with the Monarchs
Ring in the New Year with the Manchester Monarchs! Our annual New Year’s Eve game will be held Saturday, December 31 (6 p.m.) at SNHU Arena, when the Monarchs take on the Norfolk Admirals! Don’t miss the largest indoor fireworks display after the game, or the annual year-in-review video!
For tickets to the game, please click HERE.
During the first intermission, in partnership with WZID, we will be hosting the Great Baby Race! Babies will compete in a crawling competition to find the fastest crawler in Manchester! To register your little one, call Mackenzie at 603-626-7825!
Also on NYE, there will be a silent auction with signed LA Kings and Manchester Monarchs merchandise, to benefit the Monarchs Care Foundation!
Groups of 10 or more people, looking to celebrate the New Year can call 603-626-7825 for discounted group tickets.
Visit us at ManchesterMonarchs.com, follow the team @MonarchsHockey, and like us on Facebook for additional information.
