Continuing with our weekly update of the Manchester Monarchs and Modo.
Modo Hockey
Another bad week for Modo as they lost both their games, one in the shootout. Adrian Kempe‘s average TOI has now eclipsed 17 minutes. He picked up another assist while playing with Buffalo Sabres prospect Victor Olofsson (and I think he’s seeing time with William Nylander, though I’m not sure).
His average ice time only went up 10 seconds (was 16:57 a week ago) but the fact that he’s earning continued trust from his coach is a great sign for his development.
And in case you missed it, Kempe was named to Sweden’s world junior team. He’ll probably see extended time with Olofsson and Nylander so make sure you check him out in January.
Video: Örebro Hockey 2-4
What a move just to get the puck on net.
Manchester Monarchs
* Prospect on an AHL only contract
** Not a prospect
*** Technically, he’s not a prospect, but is there on a “conditioning assignment”
So Nick Shore is red hot right now and is completely dominating the AHL. Andy Tonge (reporter for Mayor’s Manor) is pretty high on him.
Nick Shore will end up in Los Angeles before this season is over. #LAKings
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) December 7, 2014
I wonder who’s leaving to make room for the young Shore… Tonge really believes that Shore could be a 2C in the NHL, which is interesting and I hope it’s true, especially since it makes certain guys expendable.
Anyway, Manchester had a good weekend, snagging five of a possible six points.
Friday, Dec. 5
The Monarchs rallied from a 2-0 deficit after giving up two goals in 10 seconds. Despite outshooting the Portland Pirates 10-5 in the third period, they couldn’t find a tiebreaker and eventually fell in the shootout. Manchester leads the VIP Cup series 2-1.
Game Story: Monarchs fall to Pirates in shootout, 3-2
Saturday, Dec. 6
Without the World’s Greatest Goalie in net, the Norfolk Admirals are suddenly a lot more beatable (just kidding. And in case you didn’t know, the Admirals knocked the Monarchs out of the playoffs last year while the big club eventually lost to the Kings). The Monarchs swept the two-game series with a combined score of 10-4.
After being shutout three times early on in the season, Head Coach Mike Stothers has done a great job in getting his team to find offense while at the same time still keeping up good defense. Weal, Shore, O’Brien and Mersch were the goalscorers for Manchester with each potting a goal (and in Shore’s case two).
Game Story: Mayor’s Manor – Monarchs dynamic offense powers victory
Sunday, Dec. 7
With a three-in-three, that meant Berube got a rest as Bartosak drew in for only his fifth start of the season.
Zach O’Brien picked up from where he left off the day before and got the annual teddy bear toss started as Weal, once again, was the point man.
In the second period, Dowd doubled the lead on the much maligned power play. Manchester gave up a goal less than a minute later but Weal and O’Brien teamed up again to restore the two goal lead, this time with O’Brien setting up Weal. The Monarchs gave up a power play goal but Jeff Schultz netted the game winner on the Monarchs’ power play with a minute to go in that same period.
Backman and O’Neill both added a goal to seal the victory for Manchester.
Game Story: Mayor’s Manor – Bartosak picks up win for Monarchs
News
Mayor’s Manor
Andreoff “a little shocked” over conditioning stint The scrappy fourth liner was undoubtedly surprised but has vowed to work hard and AGM Rob Blake explains the reasoning behind this conditioning stint.
Possession
Once again, stick tap to @joshweissbock from twitter for putting these numbers together.
Still holding steady at number two, their overall fenwick numbers have dipped a little but a high shooting percentage and a (slightly) better save percentage have increased their PDO.