ORLANDO, FLA – With Thanksgiving coming up this week, fans in the ECHL’s Eastern conference have plenty to be thankful for as many of the team did well during the sixth week of the season. Even the squads that did not fare as well were just a bounce or two away from being on the plus side of the ledger.
Here is a recap of how everyone did…
East Division
Adirondack Thunder (10-2-0-0, 20 points) Wednesday: win over Norfolk 3-2
The division leading Thunder had just one game on the schedule last week but that did not keep them from being sharp.
On Wednesday, the Norfolk Admirals invaded Glens Falls for a mid-weed affair. Mitchell Heard led the way with a goal and an assist while Mads Eller and Dana Fraser each added a score in a 3-2 win over the Admirals. Goalie Ken Appleby was solid yet again between the pipes, stopping 23 of the 25 shots he faced.
Next up: Wednesday – Elmira, Saturday – at Elmira, Sunday – Greenville
Manchester Monarchs (9-6-0-0, 18 points) Wednesday: loss to Elmira 3-2, Friday: win over Norfolk 2-1, Saturday: win over Norfolk 5-1, Sunday: win over Norfolk 4-2
The Monarchs have steadily been climbing the standings in the division. Last week saw Manchester win three out of four games during an extended homestand.
On Wednesday, Derek Arnold was the lone goal scorer and goalie Colin Stevens made 17 saves but it was not enough as the Monarchs lost to Elmira. Norfolk then came calling for a trio of contests. Friday’s encounter was another defensive struggle for the Monarchs. Michael Boivin and Matt Leitner each lit the goal light while Michael Houser stopped 42 of 43 shots in a 2-1 victory. Saturday’s second game was not as difficult for the host Monarchs with Joe Diamond, Alex Roach, Zac Larraza, Matt White and David Kolomatis all scoring goals in a 5-1 victory as Stevens picked up his first professional win between the pipes. Two goals performances by Larraza and Maxim Kitsyn highlighted the Sunday game as Manchester won 4-2 to sweep the weekend.
Next up: Tuesday – at Atlanta, Thursday – at Atlanta, Friday – at Norfolk, Saturday – at Norfolk
Reading Royals (8-6-0-0, 16 points) Friday: lost to Elmira 5-4, Saturday: lost at Elmira 5-4
The Royals fell back from second to third place in the division after falling twice to long-time rival Elmira.
The Friday meeting in Reading turned into a high-scoring affair. Riley Armstrong led the way with a goal and three assists while Maxim Lamarche and Robbie Czarnik each chipped in with a score and a helper. Adam Comrie also scored in the loss. Back in Elmira on Saturday, the goalies once again were skating for cover. Kevin Young had a goal and an assist and Jordan Heywood, Yannck Tifu and Mike Periera each scored in yet another tough loss.
Next up: Wednesday – at Wheeling, Friday – Greenville, Saturday – Greenville, Sunday – Wheeling
Elmira Jackals (8-7-0-0, 16 points) Wednesday: won at Manchester 2-1, Friday: won at Reading 5-4, Saturday: won over Reading 5-4.
The Jackals had a very successful week of play, taking all three games including a pair against an old rival.
Goalie Niklas Lundstrom was the star on Wednesday at Manchester as he stopped 46 of 47 shots to lead the Jackals to a win. Scott Jacklin and Spiro Goulakos each scored to provide the offense. On Friday, Elmira headed down to Reading where Justin Bernhardt had two goals to lead a balanced scoring attack. Allan MacPherson, Goulakos and Jacklin also chipped in with scores. The rematch with the Royals was another shootout. Cason Hohmann led the way with a pair of tallies while Chris Langkow, Tyler Currier and Mark Bennett all lit the lamp once.
Next up: Wednesday – at Adirondack, Saturday – at Adirondack, Sunday – at Brampton
Norfolk Admirals (5-12-0-0, 10 points) Wednesday: lost 3-2 at Adirondack, Friday: lost 2-1 at Manchester, Saturday: lost 5-1 at Manchester, Sunday: lost 4-2 at Manchester
The Admirals spent the week on the road, playing four games away from the Scope and it showed as Norfolk lost all four contests.
Tommy Mele and Jonathan Lessard scored a goal apiece on Wednesday but host Adirondack was one goal better. On Friday, Mele had the lone tally and goalie Tyler Beskorowany made 44 saves in a tough loss at Manchester. Mele scored for the third game in a row on Saturday but again the host Monarchs had more firepower. On Sunday, Steven Whitney and Quinn Smith each scored once as the Admirals again fell at the hands of the Monarchs.
Next up: Wednesday – Greenville, Friday – Manchester, Saturday – Manchester
North Division
Wheeling Nailers (9-6-1-0, 19 points) Wednesday: won 6-5 at Florida, Friday: won 5-3 at Florida, Saturday: lost 5-2 at Florida
The Nailers had one task: find a way to win at least one game at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida against the tough Everblades. Wheeling not only accomplished the mission, they won twice.
Led by John McCarron’s two goals, the Nailers got goals from five different players as Harrison Ruopp, Zack Torquato, Riley Brace and Ty Loney each added one in the win. Torquato followed his goal on Wednesday with two more in Friday’s rematch while Cody Wydo, Brace and Evan Wardley each chipped in with one in support of goalie Brian Foster who stopped 48 of the 51 Everblades shots he faced. Brace and Brett Stern each lit the light once on Saturday but Florida was able to take the final game of the set.
Next up: Wednesday – Reading, Saturday – Brampton, Sunday – at Reading
Toledo Walleye (7-5-0-3, 17 points) Thursday: lost to Kalamazoo 3-2 (SO), Friday: won 3-2 at Brampton, Saturday: won 6-4 over Fort Wayne
The Walleye played three games during the week and took away points in each one including a pair of victories.
The week began on Thursday against Kalamazoo. Shane Berschbach and Dominic Zombo each had goals in regulation while Alden Hirschfeld and AJ Jenks scored in the shootout but Toledo fell to the K-Wings. North of the border on Friday, Max Gaede, Marek Tvrdon and Hirschfeld each scored in support of goalie Jeff Lerg who made 25 saves to get the win. Back home on Saturday, Kyle Bonis scored twice while Tyler Sikura, Josh Shalla, Hirschfeld and Tvrdon all added one as the Walleye hooked the Komets.
Next up: Friday – Brampton, Saturday – at Fort Wayne, Sunday – at Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Wings (7-9-1-0, 15 points) Thursday: win 3-2 (SO) at Toledo, Friday: lost 3-1 at Fort Wayne, Saturday: lost 3-2 at Evansville
The K-Wings started the three-game week off well with a win at Toledo but failed to do so in the other two contests.
Dane Fox had a goal and an assist while Cory Pritz had the other K-Wings goal in regulation against the Walleye. In the shootout, Justin Taylor and Adam Phillips each scored before David Gilbert connected for the game-winner. Ludwig Blomstrand had the lone goal on Friday while goalie Clay Witt was the tough luck loser after making 34 saves. Tyler Shattock and Alex Mallet hit the score sheet while netminder Joel Martin made 37 saves on Saturday but it was not enough to best the IceMen.
Next up: Friday – at Quad City, Sunday – Toledo
Brampton Beast (6-7-1-0, 13 points) Friday: lost 3-2 to Toledo, Sunday: won 2-0 over Fort Wayne
The Beast had two games on the slate for the week, both of them at home. They split the pair, ending the weekend on a positive note with a win.
On Friday against Toledo, Brandon Marino and Luc-Olivier Blain each notched a goal and an assist while goalie Trevor Cann stopped 21 of 24 shots in a one-goal loss to the Walleye. Things went much better on Sunday as Marino and Blain again took care of the scoring while netminder Edward Pasquale made 28 saves to post the shutout victory.
Next up: Friday – at Toledo, Saturday – at Wheeling, Sunday – Elmira
South Division
Florida Everblades (12-6-0-0, 24 points) Wednesday: lost 6-5 to Wheeling, Friday: lost 5-3 to Wheeling, Saturday: won 5-2 over Wheeling
The Everblades hosted Wheeling three times during the week, falling in the first two before winning the third.
Brant Harris scored twice while Ethan Werek, Matt Stanisz and Gabriel Desjardins all netted one score on Wednesday during a furious comeback attempt that fell just short. On Friday, Corey Syvret, Harris and Desjardins were the goal scorers but again the visiting Nailers had the upper hand. Saturday’s final game of the set went much better for Florida as Syvret, Harris, Werek, Carter Sandlak and Rob Florentino all lit the lamp in a win. Goalie Anthony Pteres made 23 saves to record the victory.
Next up: Wednesday – at Colorado, Friday – at Colorado, Saturday – at Colorado
Orlando Solar Bears (8-3-1-2, 19 points) Tuesday: won 6-5 (OT) at Greenville, Friday: won 6-4 at Evansville, Saturday: lost 4-3 (SO) at Cincinnati
The Solar Bears continued on their five-game road trip with three more stops, picking up at least a point in all three matchups.
On Tuesday, Eric Faille scored twice and Brady Vail and Jack Rodewald each scored in regulation. In overtime, T.J. Foster played the role of the hero by scoring the game-winner. Goalie Rob Madore was outstanding between the pipes, making 44 saves. Foster was back at it on Friday, netting his first professional hat trick and adding an assist in a win at Evansville. Faille added two more goals of his own in the contest with Johnny McInnis chipping in a score of his own. Defenseman Eric Baier was the offensive star in Cincinnati, scoring a power play goal and a short-handed tally and adding a third in the shootout. Lindsay had the other regulation time goal for Orlando.
Next up: Tuesday – South Carolina, Friday – at Atlanta, Saturday – South Carolina
South Carolina Stingrays (8-6-1-1, 18 points) Friday: lost 3-2 at Greenville, Saturday: won 3-0 at Atlanta
The Stingrays had just two games on the schedule, both coming on the road.
On Friday in Greenville, Joe Devin and Andrew Rowe provided the offense with a goal apiece while goalie Vitek Vanecek made 22 saves but the host Swamp Rabbits came away with the win. Saturday in Duluth was a different story as netminder Mark Dekanich spun a 39-save masterpiece to blank the Gladiators. Brett Cameron, Tyler Lewington and Colin Mulvey scored the goals for the Stingrays.
Next up: Tuesday – at Orlando, Saturday – at Orlando
Atlanta Gladiators (7-6-1-0, 15 points) Saturday: lost to South Carolina 3-0
The Galdiators played only one game during the week but it was an all-important divisional contest against South Carolina. Goalie Kent Patterson did his best to keep Atlanta in the game, making 24 saves in a losing effort.
Next up: Monday – at Greenville, Tuesday – Manchester, Thursday – Manchester, Friday – Orlando
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (6-8-1-0, 13 points) Tuesday: lost to Orlando 6-5 (OT), Friday: win 3-2 over South Carolina
The Swamp Rabbits played two divisional games, which in the South divisions are wars unto themselves. Greenville split the pair but came away with points from each.
On Tuesday, Scott Fleming netted a pair of goals while Josh Nicholls, Ryan Rashid and Michael St. Croix each contributed a score in a tough overtime loss. Friday was much better as Kodie Curran, Sean Escobedo and Bretton Cameron all scored in a win over the Stingrays. Goalie Jeff Malcolm made 31 saves to get the victory.
Next up: Monday – Atlanta, Wednesday – at Norfolk, Friday – at Reading, Saturday – at Reading, Sunday – at Adirondack
Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com
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