Series lead is cut to 2-1
WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Monarchs suffered their first loss of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in a 2-1 defeat at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday night. The loss cut Manchester’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.
The Monarchs (5-3) gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (4-2) six power plays in the game and Tom Kostopoulos’ goal on the man advantage in the second period proved the game winner. Manchester went 0-for-3 on the power play.
David Van der Gulik scored the Monarchs’ lone goal of the game with just under seven minutes left in regulation.
Bryan Rust tallied the first goal of the game at 6:22 in the first period on a wrist shot from the slot. The goal gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton its first lead at any point in the series.
After being held scoreless on their first four power plays of the game, Kostopolous scored on the man advantage at 13:27 in the second period, giving the Penguins a 2-0 lead
Van der Gulik put the Monarchs on the board at 13:01 in the third period when he took an outlet pass from Nic Dowd and beat Matt Murray on a breakaway. It was his first goal of the playoffs.
The Monarchs pulled J.F. Berube with 1:30 remaining in the game, but could not score the tying goal before time expired.
Game 4 will be on Monday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena at 7:05 p.m.
Notes:
- The Monarchs have allowed the first goal of the game on three occasions during the playoffs and are 0-3 in those games.
- David Van der Gulik’s goal was his first goal in the Calder Cup Playoffs since 2011 with Lake Erie. It was the seventh goal of his AHL playoff career.
- The Monarchs have lost all three of their road games during these playoffs.
- Manchester went 0-for-3 on the power play tonight and is 5-for-34 in the playoffs (14.7%) after posting an AHL-best 20.7 percent mark in the regular season.
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