The Manchester Monarchs returned to the Verizon Wireless center on Sunday to take on the Wheeling Nailers. Colin Stevens started in net for the Monrachs opposed by Brian Foster for the Nailers. The Monarchs controlled the play off the draw, getting opportunities early on Foster.
Matt Fornataro who had just joined the Monarchs scored his first goal of the season just 58 second into the game. Stefan Legein and Alex Roach got the assists on the games first goal. The Monarchs increased their lead just over five minutes later when Darik Angeli scored assisted by Steven Hadges and Matt McKenzie.
The Nailers pushed back after the failing behind by two goals, but Stevens was strong in net for the Monarchs. Both teams continued to trade chances but Stevens was making the difference in the game. Yann Sauve fired a shot from the point that found it’s way past Forster for the three goal lead.
Robbie Donahoe and Matt Leitner got the assists on the goal, Casey DeSmith came in for Wheeling in relief. The Nailers couldn’t get anything going in first and struggled to solve Stevens. The first period ended with the Monarchs leading 3-0 and the shots 12-7 in favor of the Nailers.
The Monarchs came out for the second period looking to keep up their domination of the Nailers. But the Nailers scored just 57 seconds into the period on a goal from Mathew Maione. The Monarchs struggle early to combat the Nailers pressure, and Stevens was forced into making some of his best saves of the game.
Matt Fornataro gave the Monarchs the three goal lead back after scoring his second of the game. Stefan Legein and Steven Hodges got the assists on the goal. They continued to trade chances, but both goalies stood on their heads through the middle of the second.
The Nailers pulled within two on a goal from Connor Leen which was unassisted. DeSmith was also forced to make some brilliant saves down the stretch as Monrachs continued to get chances. The second period ended with the Monarchs leading 4-2 and the shots 24 a piece.
The Monarchs returned for the third period looking to hold off the Nailers and secure the win. The game got chippy between the two sides in the third, Dannick Paquette and Matt Tabrum dropped the gloves. Both teams continued to trade chances back and forth, but both goalies were outstanding early in the third.
The Monarchs continued to press DeSmith, but some how through all the traffic in from he was able to find the puck. Stevens didn’t have it easy at the other end either, he was constantly under press and being pelted. Stevens though stood tall for the Monarchs and kept them up by two goals.
Mathew Maione went to the box for the Nailers for slashing giving the Monarchs a power play late. Maxim Kitsyn took a feed from Joey Diamond and buried it for the fifth goal, Matt Leitner got the secondary assist on the goal. The Nailers pulled their goalie with over two minutes left in the game looking to make up three.
But the Joey Diamond added the empty netter for the Monarchs assisted by Gasper Kopitar. The Monarchs hung onto the 6-2 victory with the final shots 46 to 34 in favor of the Nailers.
Third star Colin Stevens, he made 44 saves to earn the victory for the Monarchs. Second star Stefan Legein, he had two assists in the game for the Monarchs. First star Matt Fornatatro, he scored his first two goals of the season for the Monarchs helping them to victory.
The Monarchs will take on the Reading Royals on Wednesday night in Pennsylvania.
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