ST. JOHN’S, NL – Former Monarchs defenseman Jordan Hill scored the game-winning goal in overtime as Manchester fell to the IceCaps at the Mile One Centre on Friday night, 5-4.
The loss was Manchester’s (37-15-6-2) sixth in 13 overtime games this season. They fell to 4-1-3-0 against St. John’s (29-26-6-2) this season.
The Monarchs never led in the game and scored tying goals on three different occasions. They scored three power-play goals (3-for-7).
Vincent LoVerde had a season-high three points (goal, 2 assists), including a game-tying goal in the second period. It was his most points in a game since also recording three points on Apr. 12, 2014 vs. POR (3 assists).
Jason Jaffray gave the IceCaps a 1-0 lead at 9:49 in the first period when he knocked in a rebound chance.
St. John’s took a 2-0 lead 3:55 into the second period when Scott Kosmachuk scored his 13th goal of the season.
Brian O’Neill’s 20th goal of the season cut the St. John’s lead to 2-1 at 12:36 in the second period. The goal came on the power play, O’Neill’s seventh power-play goal of the season.
LoVerde tied the score less than three minutes later when he also scored on the power play at 15:12 in the second. It was LoVerde’s eighth goal of the season overall and fourth on the man advantage.
The IceCaps regained the lead at 18:29 in the second when Ryan Olsen beat J.F. Berube with a shot from the right face-off dot.
Jordan Weal tied the score at 3-3 when he tallied a power-play goal at 2:45 in the third period. The goal was Weal’s eighth point in his last six games beginning on Mar. 1 (4 goals, 4 assists).
Jason Jaffray gave the IceCaps a 4-3 lead at 11:58 in the third period, but Ryan Horvat tied the score again at 14:06 when he tipped home a shot from the point.
Hill ended the game 1:17 into the extra frame with a shot from the low slot.
The Monarchs and IceCaps finish their three-game set with a 6 p.m. game tomorrow night. Manchester returns home on Mar. 21 with a 7 p.m. game against the IceCaps.
Notes:
- Zach O’Brien was whistled for a minor penalty for the second straight game. He had not been called for a penalty all season prior to Wednesday.
- Ryan Horvat fought Julian Melchiori while Paul Bissonnette simultaneously fought with Austen Brassard in the first period. Bissonnette and Brassard were issued 10-minute misconducts for a secondary altercation.
- Brian O’Neill now has at least 20 goals in each of the last two seasons (26 goals in 2013-14). His goal tonight was the 50th goal of his pro career.
- Tonight was O’Neill’s 17th multi-point game of the season (goal, 2 assists). He has at least one point in five of his last six games beginning on Mar. 1 with three goals and six assists in that time.
- Patrik Bartosak replaced J.F. Berube at the start of the third period.
