WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Monarchs suffered their first loss of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in a 2-1 defeat at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday night. The loss cut Manchester’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.
The Monarchs (5-3) gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (4-2) six power plays in the game and Tom Kostopoulos’ goal on the man advantage in the second period proved the game winner. Manchester went 0-for-3 on the power play.
David Van der Gulik scored the Monarchs’ lone goal of the game with just under seven minutes left in regulation.
Bryan Rust tallied the first goal of the game at 6:22 in the first period on a wrist shot from the slot. The goal gave Wilkes-Barre/Scranton its first lead at any point in the series.
After being held scoreless on their first four power plays of the game, Kostopolous scored on the man advantage at 13:27 in the second period, giving the Penguins a 2-0 lead.
Van der Gulik put the Monarchs on the board at 13:01 in the third period when he took an outlet pass from Nic Dowd and beat Matt Murray on a breakaway. It was his first goal of the playoffs.
The Monarchs pulled J.F. Berube with 1:30 remaining in the game, but could not score the tying goal before time expired.
Game 4 will be on Monday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena at 7:05 p.m.
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