GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – The Manchester Monarchs traveled to Glens falls looking to get themselves back into the series and bring back some sort of life. But they failed to come out strong early once again and ended up falling to the Thunder 4-2. Colin Stevens started in net for the Monarchs opposed by Ken Appleby for the Thunder.Â
The Monarchs once again came out extremely slow as the Thunder took control right off the opening draw. Mitchell Heard opened the scoring for the Thunder just 40-seconds in, Peter MacArthur got the assist on the first goal of the game. The Monarchs struggled early on to keep pace with the Thunder, and relied heavily on Stevens to bail them out.
Both teams traded early chances, but neither team could slip it past the goalies at both ends. The Monarchs evened the game on a Maxim Kitsyn snipe, assisted by Derek Arnold. The Monarchs showed the Thunder that they were able to answer quickly and get back in it.
But the Thunder weren’t done there as Heard scored his second of the game, assisted by Ben Johnson and MacArthur. The first period ended with the Monarchs trailing 2-1 and the shots 12-8 for the Monarchs. The Monarchs looked to even the score as they came back out for the third period.
But Ken Appleby slammed the door shut on so many of the Monarch’s early chances. Appleby came up huge in many different occasions, forcing the Monarchs into off angle shots just to try and beat him. They continued to Trade chances back and forth, but it was clear that the two goalies were making the biggest differences in the game.
Derek Arnold got a two minute minor for roughing, which put the Thunder back on the power play. This time the Thunder capitalized on a goal from Ryan Lomberg assisted by Mitchell Heard and Ryan Constant. The goal put the Thunder up three to one, and gave them a commanding lead.
The Monarchs struggled to get anything going as the second period got into it’s final minutes and went back to the locker room trailing. After two the score was 3- 1 Thunder, with the shots 17 to 15 for the Monarchs. The Monarchs were looking for something in the third period as they took the ice.
The Monarchs applied early pressure again on the Thunder, but couldn’t get it past the red hot Appleby. They continued to trade chances, with both teams failing to convert second chances in on the goalie. Appleby was the biggest reason that the Thunder had the lead for as long as they did.
Ryan Constant went to the box for the Thunder for tripping giving the Monarchs the man advantage. Matt Fornataro scored on the ensuing power play to get the Monarchs within one, Joey Diamond and Matt Leitner got the assists on the goal. The Monarchs continued to push in the ladder half of the Third, but Appleby stood tall.
Greg Wolfe added the empty netter for the Thunder assisted by Peter MacArthur and Patch Alber. The game ended with the Thunder winning 4-2 and the final shots 32 to 23 for the Monarchs. The Monarchs fall behind 3-0 with game four coming up on Monday.
Third star Peter MacArthur, he had two assists to help the Thunder to the game three victory. Second star Ryan Lomberg, he took the lead for the Thunder and made sure they had some separation in the playoffs. First star Mitchell Heard, he had a goal and two assists helping the Thunder to a game three victory.
Game four will take place on Monday in Glens Falls. For the Monarchs, the options are clear – win to move on, but lose and you’re out.
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