MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Monarchs finished their five-game season sweep of the Utah Grizzlies, earning a 3-2 overtime win over the Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Like Friday’s overtime contest against Utah, Saturday night’s affair was also back-and-forth. Utah’s Kyle Thomas struck first near the midpoint of the first period, with Manchester answering 7:29 into the second period with Joel Lowry’s 17th goal of the season.
The two teams traded goals again before the second intermission, with Matt Schmalz’ wrister 13:26 into the second giving the Monarchs a lead until Utah’s Taylor Richart responded with a power play goal five minutes later.
Just under a minute before the game would have needed a shootout, Spencer Watson netted the game winner for the Monarchs, one-timing a pass from assistant captain Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman over the glove of Utah goaltender Joel Rumpel.
The Monarchs have now won their last six overtime contests, with Satuday’s win marking their third straight overtime game in a row.
Manchester also won a shootout against Utah in November, one of twenty games Utah has played this season going beyond regulation.
With the win and Worcester’s win against Fort Wayne later in the evening, Manchester now needs seven more points to clinch a playoff berth.
The Monarchs are back in action Wednesday, Mar. 21 (7 p.m.) when they face off against the Reading Royals from SNHU Arena.