This weekend, the Manchester Monarchs head to Newfoundland for the first time seeking to stop their slide and get some retribution.

Last week’s three-game homestand ended with just three points against Brampton, Newfoundland and Reading, with Newfoundland grabbing their second win of the young season against the Monarchs.

In that contest, Newfoundland grabbed two early goals, setting a tone that they held for most of the contest. Although late goals from Matt Marcinew and Spencer Watson helped push the game into overtime, Newfoundland found the winner quickly in the extra period to leave with a 4-3 victory.

“I would think that we’re hungry for them.  They came to our building and got two wins, now we need to go to their building and do the same.”

Sunday’s contest against Reading also marked another early deficit for the Monarchs, with Manchester losing that game, 4-2. Indeed, their only consistently strong performance from end to end during the week was their 3-1 victory against Brampton, and it was also the only contest of the homestand including starting goaltender Charles Williams.

Williams left on loan for Ontario in the AHL, leaving Brandon Wildung in the pipes for the remaining two contests.

“Obviously, he’s logged a lot of minutes for us, he’s only missed two starts all year,” said Monarchs head coach Doug Christiansen after Friday’s game against Newfoundland. “He’s been the backbone of our team. To lose him hurts, but that’s the business we’re in. We need to adopt the next-man-up mentality and ride him when we get him back.”

The Monarchs begins its doubleheader in St. John’s on Friday at 5 p.m. EST, followed by another 5 p.m. game against the Growlers on Saturday before returning home for a Wednesday morning showdown against the Adirondack Thunder.

Three Stars

Top Star: Nic Pierog (this week – 2 goals, +2 +/-, 8 shots on goal)

Second Star: Matt Marcinew (this week – 1 goal, 2 assists, 10 shots on goal)

Third Star: David Kolomatis (this week – 3 assist. +1 +/-, 8 shots on goal)