GLENS FALLS, NY – Perhaps another sweep was just too much to ask for.
The Manchester Monarchs are now even in their series against the Adirondack Thunder, following Adirondack’s 5-1 victory on Saturday night.
The Monarchs killed the contest’s first power play following a Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman tripping minor, but Austin Orszulak would find the back of the net just moments after LaVallee-Smotherman returned to the ice.
Terrance Wallin would add the game’s second goal on a two-on-one breakaway 7:45 into the first period, with Wallin adding another goal 2:19 later, deflecting a Mathieu Brodeur slapshot over Manchester netminder Charles Williams.
The second period didn’t improve things for the Monarchs, with Adirondack’s Brian Schmelzer adding another power play goal 4:02 after the intermission.
Williams would leave the contest 14:02 into the second period following Matthew Spencer’s first goal of the playoffs and first goal since he scored against Manchester 22 days ago.
The Monarchs prevented a shutout with 2:54 left in the third period thanks to Joel Lowry’s power play goal, but it was far too little, too late.
That goal came shortly after Ashton Rome left the contest for his fourth misconduct penalty since joining the Monarchs in March, and the last since the contest of Spencer’s last goal earlier this month.
The two teams return to Cool Insuring Arena for Game 3 on Tuesday at 7 p.m.