MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Manchester Monarchs’ struggles against the Newfoundland Growlers continue, as the Growlers snapped their five-game losing streak with a 5-1 win at SNHU Arena on Wednesday night.
Matheson Iacopelli notched Manchester’s only goal of the evening, with Newfoundland goaltender Michael Garteig stopping the Monarchs’ 27 other shots.
That goal reduced Newfoundland’s lead to one, following early goals from Brady Ferguson and James Melindy. However, Matt Bradley and Todd Skirving provided additional Growler goals in the second period and Giorgio Estephan provided an empty netter late in the contest to seal the victory.
Ferguson also ended with a pair of assists, as did Adam Pardy.
Melindy earned a game misconduct early in the fifth period after instigating a fight with Bokondji Imama. The fight marked Imama’s third penalty of the evening.
Manchester (33-27-2-2) maintains a tenuous grip on the ECHL North Division’s final playoff berth, heading into weekend contests against their two closest adversaries in the standing: the Maine Mariners and Worcester Railers.
The Railers come to Manchester on Saturday at 6 p.m., followed by a trip to Maine for a 3 p.m. showdown on Sunday.
