WEST VALLEY CITY, UT – The Manchester Monarchs received a shootout goal from Spencer Watson to beat the Utah Grizzlies 2-1 Wednesday night at the Maverik Center.
The Monarchs (9-7-1-1) beat the Grizzlies (6-6-4-1) to take the first of a three-game series over Thanksgiving weekend.
The Monarchs opened the scoring when Sam Kurker netted his sixth goal of the season at 15:14 of the opening period. Kevin Morris intercepted a Utah clearing attempt on the right half-boards and sent a shot on net that Kurker deflected past the glove of Grizzlies goaltender Kevin Carr to put the Monarchs up 1-0.
Utah tied the game when Erik Higby scored his first goal of the season at 15:23 of the second period. While on the power play, Higby found the puck on his stick after a shot by Brendan Harms deflected off a Monarchs defender in the low slot and Higby buried his shot past Monarchs goaltender Charles Williams to even the score at 1-1.
After a scoreless third period, the game would head to overtime. The Monarchs had multiple chances in the extra frame to put the game away, including two 2-on-0 breakaways, but could not end the game and the contest was decided in a shootout. Newcomer Watson was the lone scorer for either team as he beat Carr high glove after multiple dekes to give the Monarchs the 2-1 victory.
The Monarchs are back in action on Friday, Nov. 24 at 7:05 p.m. when they continue their three-game series with the Utah Grizzlies from the Maverik Center.
Notes: Watson made his Monarchs debut after being assigned by the Los Angeles Kings… Tony Cameranesi returned to the lineup for the first time since Nov. 12… Manchester held Utah to two shots in the third period, the fewest in any period this season… Williams earned his first career shootout victory for Manchester.
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