ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Manchester Monarchs couldn’t hold a third period lead, and dropped an overtime contest, 4-3, to the Elmira Jackals on Saturday night at First Arena.
The Monarchs (37-19-4-5) finished the season series, 6-4-0-1, against the Jackals (34-27-3-1).
Manchester opened the scoring on the 6th goal of the season by Matt Fornataro at 4:52 of the first period. Fornataro cleaned up the loose change in front of Elmira goaltender, Shane Owen, off of a Robbie Donahoe shot from the middle of the blue line, putting the Monarchs up, 1-0.
Elmira brought the game back to even when Zach Cohen scored his 12th goal of the season at 11:18 of the first period. Cohen re-directed a Guy LeBoeuf shot from the point past Monarchs goaltender, Colin Stevens, to tie the game at 1-1.
Elmira took the lead at 6:22 in the second period when Chris Langkow scored his 11th goal of the season while shorthanded. Tyler Currier brought the puck into the Monarchs zone and dropped a pass to Langkow from the right dot, where Langkow unleashed a slap shot past Stevens’ blocker, making the game, 2-1, Elmira.
The Monarchs tied the game with the 24th goal of the season off the stick of Maxim Kitsyn at 1:46 of the third period. Kitsyn controlled the puck in the offensive zone while on the power play, and sent a quick wrister over the glove shoulder of Owen, making the game, 2-2.
Kevin Morris put the Monarchs ahead on his first professional goal at 2:12 of the third period. Morris went in on a 2-on-1 with Derek Arnold, and after playing catch, Arnold found Morris who tipped in an easy tally with Owen well out of position, completing the give-and-go play.
The Jackals would tie things up at 5:19 of the third period when Langkow scored his second of the night. While on a 2-on-0 from deep within the Monarchs zone, Allan McPherson found Langkow all alone to Stevens’ left, who sent home the equalizer into a yawning cage, making the game, 3-3.
The overtime period was full of chances for both teams, but Jacob MacDonald finished the game with his 14th goal of the season at 4:15 of the extra period. After a subtle pick on Zac Larraza, MacDonald crossed the face of the Monarchs net, and scored past the outstretched right leg of Stevens on the forehand, ending the game, 4-3.

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