MANCHESTER, N.H. – On Sunday afternoon the Manchester Monarchs completed the home-and-home series with the Adirondack Thunder at the Verizon Wireless Arena. Colin Stevens started in net for the Monarchs opposed by Ken Appleby for the Thunder. The Monarchs were looking to bounce back after getting blown out 6-1 in Glens Falls on Saturday night.
The Monarchs started the first period much better than Saturday night, getting chances early on. The teams went back and forth, battling for position in the offensive zone. Both goalies were forced to come up with some big saves as the period wore on.
The Monarchs were able to break through first, though. Alex Roach put the Monarchs in the lead, Josh Brown and Austin Block got the two assists. The Monarchs continued to trade chances with the Thunder, but Stevens stood tall. The first period ended with the Monarchs leading 1-0, and the shots 13-10 in favor of the Thunder.
The Monarchs came back out for the second period looking to add to their lead. The second period was more like the first, as both teams were trading rushes back and forth.
Maxim Kitsyn hammered a Gasper Kopitar pass home to increase the Monarchs lead. Michael Boivin was given the secondary assist on the goal. The teams continued to trade chances back and forth, but both goalies kept their teams in it.
Colin Stevens was standing on his head at points, just to keep the Monarchs ahead. They continued to go up and down the ice, but both goalies kept the puck out of the net.The second period ended with the Monarchs leading 2-0, and the shots 26-23 Thunder.
The Monarchs came back for the third period looking to secure the victory, while the Thunder came out firing, taking it to the Monarchs and forcing Stevens to stay sharp.
The Thunder continued to pound away at Stevens, but he remained strong to keep the Monarchs up by two goals, despite the Monarchs defense struggling to keep the shots away from Stevens. But his stellar goaltending proved to give the Monarchs the advantage.
The Monarchs were able to hang on for the 2-0 win, with the final shots 44-26. Third star Alex Roach got the scoring started for the Monarchs and had the game winning goal. Second star Maxim Kitsyn scored the second goal in the game and helped the Monarchs hang on. First star Colin Stevens made 44 saves to earn the victory for the Monarchs.
The Monarchs will be back at it when they take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Thursday night.
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