MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs got two third-period goals but couldn’t complete their comeback, falling to the Norfolk Admirals, 3-2, in overtime, on L.A. Kings Night at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
The Monarchs (22-12-1-3) dropped their first game of the season to the Admirals (16-23-1-1), but lead the season series, 5-0-1-0.
“We didn’t play winning hockey tonight, but I liked that we showed some resiliency in the third period,” head coach Rich Seeley, said. “Tonight was frustrating from a coaching standpoint, but in the end, having the chance to earn a point and almost grabbing two is a bit of a silver lining.”
The Norfolk Admirals opened the scoring in the first period when Dean Ouellet notched his fifth tally of the year at 13:33. Jordan Hill started the play by sending a wrister from the blue line that Ouellet tipped down to himself and beat Monarchs goaltender, Colin Stevens, with a sweeping forehand, stuffing the puck through Stevens’ stick.
The Admirals added to their advantage going up, 2-0, when Devin Mantha tipped a shot from the left point, picking up his third goal of the season at 18:44.
The Monarchs cut the deficit to 2-1 with just 2:52 to play in the game, when Joey Diamond scored his sixth goal of the season. Matt MacKenzie threw a puck into the slot from the right half-boards that Diamond redirected past Norfolk goaltender, Ty Rimmer, low stick side.
With the goalie pulled, the Monarchs came all the way back to tie the game with just 27 seconds left in regulation, when Michael Boivin scored his fifth goal of the season. Boivin sent a seeing-eye wrist shot from the middle of the blue line, beating Rimmer for the equalizer.
In the overtime period, the Monarchs had a golden opportunity to complete the comeback when Derek Arnold hit the post on a chance from in close, but it was Norfolk that ended the game when Alexis Loiseau scored his seventh of the season at 2:32.
Notes
- Maxim Kitsyn played in the 150th game of his professional caree
- The Monarchs dropped their first game in overtime this season
- Joe Diamond scored his 30th career ECHL point
- Matt MacKenzie registered his 40th professional point
