ALBANY, NY – Michael Mersch tallied a shorthanded game-winning goal as the Manchester Monarchs earned a 2-1 win over the Devils on Wednesday night in their only trip this season to the Times Union Center.
Mersch, who was named the AHL’s CCM/AHL Rookie of the Month for March earlier today, extended his point streak to four straight games (6 goals, 2 assists). He has at least one point in eight of his last 11 games beginning on Mar. 8, with seven goals and eight assists in that span.
The Monarchs (44-16-6-2) finished their season series undefeated in two games against Albany (31-26-5-6). Manchester has won nine of its last 11 games overall beginning on Mar. 8 (9-1-1-0).
Albany registered the game’s first goal when Matt Lorito stole a pass from J.F. Berube and scored on an open net at 18:50 in the first. The goal came on the power play after Sean Backman was whistled for tripping.
Nick Ebert knotted the game at 1-1 when he scored his sixth goal of the season on a wrister from the point at 12:50 in the second.
Mersch gave the Monarchs a 2-1 lead while shorthanded when he stole a pass in front of the Albany net and beat Scott Clemmensen at 3:48 in the third. It was the first shorthanded goal of his pro career.
The Monarchs play next on Friday with a 7 p.m. game at Portland. They have already clinched this season’s VIP Cup. Manchester concludes the weekend on Saturday night with a 7 p.m. game at Hartford.
Notes:
- Nick Ebert (goal) scored his sixth goal of the season and first goal since Feb. 13 vs. SPR.
- Michael Mersch scored Manchester’s 10th shorthanded goal of the season. They entered tonight tied for the fifth-most shorthanded goals in the AHL.
- Mersch’s goal was his third game-winning goal this year, tied for the third-most on the team behind Brian O’Neill (7) and Jordan Weal (6).
- Since surrendering six goals at HER on Saturday, the Monarchs have limited opponents to one goal in each of their last two games.
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