O’Neill’s OT goal lifts Monarchs to 2-1 win over IceCaps

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Brian O'Neill scores both goals for the win for Manchester Monarchs.
Brian O\’Neill scores both goals for the win for Manchester Monarchs.

MANCHESTER, NH – Brian O’Neill’s power-play goal in overtime was the game winner in a 2-1 victory over St. John’s on Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The Monarchs (40-15-6-2) finished the season with a 6-1-3-0 record against the IceCaps (29-28-7-2) this season. Manchester played in its sixth overtime game at home this season, winning five and losing one, while playing the IceCaps for the fourth time in extra time.

“We battled hard from start to finish and I think we deserved it” Patrik Bartosak said.

Bartosak made 16 saves on 17 shots to earn his tenth win this season in 22 appearances (10-7-4-0). Tonight’s game marked the fourth time Bartosak has played the IceCaps in overtime.

During four-on-four play from matching roughing calls, Brenden Kichton gave the IceCaps a 1-0 lead 4:35 into the first period.

Monarchs tied the game on the power play on O’Neill’s 21st goal of the year 1:16 into the second period. A redirected Jordan Weal shot set up the goal.

O’Neill scored his second goal of the night and eighth power-play goal of the season 3:07 into the overtime period. Michael Mersch took shot from the high slot before O’Neill gathered the puck and put it home.

The Monarchs will host the Pirates tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless in the VIP Cup before taking the road for six games.


Notes:

  • Brian O’Neill’s second power-play goal of the game marked the first time a Monarchs player has scored two power play goals in a single game.
  • Tonight was O’Neill’s third multi-goal game of the season and he has multiple points in five of his last nine games beginning on Mar. 1 (5 goals, 8 assists).
  • The Monarchs improved to 7-1-1-0 at home when they play games separated by one goal.
  • DerekForbort has four points in nine games (2 goals, 2 assists) since returning from Los Angeles on Feb. 27.

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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!