DULUTH, GA – The Manchester Monarchs were in Duluth, Georgia again on Thursday to take on the Atlanta Gladiators. In what turned into a defensive battle, David Kolomatis’ third period goal was the difference as the Monarchs downed the Gladiators 3-2.
Colin Stevens got the start in net for the Monarchs, looking for his second win of the season, opposed by Andy Iles for the Gladiators. Unlike Tuesday’s game it was the Monarchs who took control of the play early.
The Monarchs were pounding Iles early on, but like Tuesday he stayed strong. The Gladiators were able to swing the momentum their way and gain some scoring opportunities on Stevens. Stevens and the Monarchs defense were forced to stand tall to keep the game tied.
The Gladiators found the back of the net 13:49 into the first when Ian Barteaux scored off of a Brock Higgs pass with Daniel Bahntge getting the secondary assist. The Monarchs were able to get some of their early momentum back, creating more chances on Iles. Manchester finally broke through when Zac Larraza scored off of a Matt Leitner pass at the 17:15 mark.The first period ended with the scored tied 1-1 and the shots 16-9 in favor of the Monarchs.
The second period started with both teams looking to find the go ahead goal and take the lead. The Monarchs settled in early, pinning the Gladiators in their own defensive zone and started to gain some early chances on Iles.
The Gladiators fought back and started to get some odd man rushes on Stevens as the second period wore on. The Monarchs took the lead when Yann Sauve slipped one past Iles assisted by Gasper Kopitar and Matt White. After the goal, both teams traded chances as the second drew to a close. The Monarchs headed into the locker room with a 2-1 lead and the shots 27-15 Monarchs.
Just thirty seconds into the third period the Gladiators tied the game off of a Derek Nesbitt shot with the assist going to Max Everson. After the goal both teams struggled to find any offense.
Tensions between the two teams were rising as third period wore on, but each team still struggled to find an opportunities until a Joe Stejskal high sticking penalty put the Gladiators down a man in the middle of the period. Kolomatis scored on the ensuing power play assisted by Sauve and White.
The Monarchs were able to hold off the late push from the Gladiators and hang on to win the game by the final of 3-2. The final shots were 34-21 in favor of the Monarchs. Third star of the game was awarded to Iles who stopped 31 of 34 shots in a losing effort for the Gladiators. Second star went to Manchester’s White who had two assists in the game and helped the Monarchs win. First star of the night was Sauve with a goal and an assist in the win for the Monarchs.
The Monarchs will head back north to take on the Norfolk Admirals in Norfolk, Virginia on Friday night at the Norfolk Scope.
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