MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs won their second game in a row, defeating the visiting Orlando Solar Bears on Friday night, 3-2
After a scoreless first period, Spencer Watson opened scoring with 15:53 left in the second period. Watson set up shop in front of goal to take advantage of a wide-open shot, but Orlando’s Shane Foget responded seconds later, tapping in a poke shot to even up the contest.
A temporary suspension of the game occurred near the end of the second period due to a partial power outage, and the contest’s offensive power outage continued until Watson added another goal off a victorious faceoff halfway through the third period.
Watson delivered a brutal crosscheck with just under two minutes left, giving the Solar Bears one last chance on the power play. Pulling goaltender Corbin Boes gave Orlando a pair of extra skaters and the visitors capitalized, with Brady Shaw slamming home the equalizer from the left face off circle.
Stephan Falkovsky provided the game winner on a fast break 1:10 into the overtime period.
Monarchs goaltender Chris Dreidger finished with 33 saves.
Friday night marks the only time Orlando plays in New Hampshire this year, although the Monarchs travel to Orlando for a rematch on Feb. 17. In the immediate future, the Monarchs begin a Thanksgiving weekend road trip, beginning with in Adirondack on Wednesday followed by a game in Worcester on Friday and Portland on Saturday.
