Adirondack wins at home, climbs back into series

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – The Manchester Monarchs and Adirondack Thunder squared off Tuesday night in game three of their first-round North division semifinals match-up. Like the first two contests, the game went the way of the home team as Adirondack prevailed by a final of 3-1.

Sam Brittain started once again in net for the Monarchs, opposed by J.P. Anderson for the Thunder. Like games one and two, the Thunder looked to be shot out of a cannon off the opening draw.

After trading early chances with the Monarchs, the Thunder offense took over peppering Brittain with shots. As the first period went on, Brittain and the Monarchs defense were forced to stay sharp as the Thunder seemed to be shooting from all angles. They were able to survive the storm with the first period ending tied at nothing, with the shots 12 to 4.

The second period started out much the same way for the Thunder as they smothered the Monarchs early and often. This time however they were able to break through Brittain on an Alex Wall goal assisted by Dennis Kravchenko. Kravchenko later added to the Thunder lead with a goal of his own assisted by James Henry and Cameron Brown.

The Monarchs could not solve Anderson in the second as he turned away all of their offensive chances in the period. After two it was 2-0 Adirondack with the shots 21 to 14 in favor of the Thunder.

The third period was a different story altogether as both teams came flying out of the locker rooms. Both goalies were forced to make huge saves on more than one occasion in the early part of the third.

Gunnar Hughes scored to push the lead to three goals assisted by Brain Ward and Henry. The Monarchs pushed hard trying to get something going as the third seemed to start slipping away from them.

Brock Montgomery took a boarding minor at the end of the third putting the Monarchs on the final power play of the game. David Kolomatis finally broke the shutout with a goal assisted by Quentin Shore and Joe Diamond. The Thunder hung on to win the game 3-1 with the final shots 37 to 27 for the Thunder.

The Monarchs lead the series 2-1 with game four Thursday night in Glens Falls.

Contact the author at james.mcgowan@prohockeynews.com