Monarchs beat Portland 3-2 after Backman sinks winning goal in shootout

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Sean Backman scored the shootout winner, lifting the Monarchs to a 3-2 win over Portland.
Sean Backman scored the shootout winner, lifting the Monarchs to a 3-2 win over Portland.

MANCHESTER, NH – Sean Backman scored a goal in regulation and potted the winner in the shootout, lifting the Manchester Monarchs to a 3-2 win over the Portlan Pirates on April 10 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

“It’s incredible the way these guys laid themselves out on the line making shots, making big plays and  never giving up, it was great,” Head Coach Mike Stothers said. “It was getting the maximum effort available from everyone tonight.”

Manchester (46-16-6-3) became the first team in the AHL to eclipse the 100-point mark this season. They also improved to 8-2-0-1 against the Pirates (37-25-7-2) this season.

The Monarchs improved to 2-3 this season in the shootout and it was their first shootout at home.  It was also the team’s second straight shootout, the first time this season playing in consecutive shootouts.

Nick Ebert scored the game’s first goal 3:14 into the first period. After receiving a cross ice pass from Paul Bissonnette, Ebert put his seventh goal of the season in the back of the net.

Portland responded 1:52 later, when Lucas Lessio tied the game with a power-play goal. Lessio beat a screened J.F. Berube high blocker side for his 15th goal of the year at 4:51.

Portland broke the tie game 10:43 into the third period when Corey Trivino put a wrist shot past Berube.

Sean Backman tied the game up with 2:29 left in regulation. Backman received a Zach O’Brien pass from behind the net before scoring his 18th goal of the season.

Manchester went 1-for-3 in the shootout, with Colin Miller hitting the post and Backman beating Pirates goalie Mike McKenna. Berube stopped all three shots he faced in the shootout.

The Monarchs travel to Bridgeport tomorrow for the start of back-to-back games. The Monarchs have two more games at this home this season and close out the VIP Cup Apr. 17 against Portland at home.


Notes:

  • The Monarchs have reached the 100-point mark for the fourth time in franchise history and second straight season (2004-05, 2006-07, 2013-14, 2014-15).
  • The Monarchs have gone to overtime 18 times this season. They have seven wins, six losses, two shootout wins and three shootout losses.
  • MichaelMersch (assist) extended his career-high point streak to seven games beginning on Mar. 27 (7 goals, 5 assists).

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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!