GLENS FALLS, NY – What a difference a week makes.
Just over six days after the Adirondack Thunder took their second game in as many days against the Manchester Monarchs in Manchester, the Monarchs returned the favor on the Thunder’s home ice, earning a 5-4 victory on Friday night.
The Monarchs have had difficult early on in recent weeks and this contest was no exception, as Adirondack opened up a 3-1 lead by the first intermission, led by a pair of goals from Brian Ward.
Matt Schmalz brought the Monarchs within distance of tying the contest after his first shorthanded goal of the year 2:43 into the second period, and when Paul Rodrigues’ power play goal in the 17th minute of the second period brought Adirondack’s advantage back up to two goals, the Monarchs’ Rob Hamilton quickly replied with a power play goal of his own just under 30 seconds later.
The Monarchs would tie up the contest 6:34 into the third period as Cory Ward made the most of a 4-on-4 opportunity, grabbing a rebound off the pads of Adirondack goaltender Olivier Mantha, and slamming it back just past Mantha’s glove side.
Schmalz’ second goal of the night turned out to the game winner, tipping in a shot by Hamilton that caromed past Mantha’s blocker.
“I thought generally tonight, we found ourselves down two goals a couple of times, but stuck with it,” said Monarchs head coach Rich Seeley. “We weren’t playing bad, we knew that. We could do some things better, but we stuck with it and were rewarded.”
The Monarchs are back in action Sunday, Mar. 11 (3 p.m.) when they take on the Norfolk Admirals from SNHU Arena.
