MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Manchester Monarchs used five third-period goals en route to ending the Adirondack Thunder’s season as Game 5 of the North Division Semifinals ended with a 7-1 final Saturday night at SNHU Arena.
Pierre-Luc Mercier scored the game’s first goal after Nic Pierog backhanded him a pass in front of an open net.
Mike Szmatula tied the game at 9:12 of the second period when he notched his first of the postseason. The Thunder’s leading goal scorer during the regular season made a nice play to keep the puck in the offensive zone after a Manchester attempt to clear. The Commerce Township, Michigan native slammed a slap-shot on goal that Charles Williams saved initially, but after a charge towards the crease, Szmatula potted the loose puck to tie the game.
Manchester regained their lead less than five minutes later when Kevin Dufour scored a power-play goal with one second remaining on the man advantage.
The Monarchs added a five-spot in the final 20 minutes of regulation: Michael Doherty (2), Pavel Jenys, Sam Kurker and Dufour’s second of the night completed the scoring.
The two teams have faced off in postseason play in each of the past four seasons. Adirondack won the first and third matchups while Manchester was crowned during the second and fourth series’.
With the loss, Adirondack’s season is over. For all future news and updates on the Adirondack Thunder, follow the team on all social media @ECHLThunder.
###Adirondack Thunder Hockey – This Is Our Team
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers