Manchester’s depth proved too much for Utica as the Monarchs’ top lines went quiet, but their bottom six came ready to play.
Adrian Kempe was 14.3 seconds away from having his first period goal stand up as the game-winner but Cal O’Reilly had other ideas. That meant that Vincent LoVerde got the Calder Cup clinching goal.
I didn’t watch the game so here’s a compilation of thoughts from people who DID watch it.
No Jake Virtanen out for warmups. Expected to miss tonight again due to illness.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 13, 2015
Good showing from Nicklas Jensen in the first who was bumped up to the top line. Underwhelming playoffs in total though.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 13, 2015
We’re 5 minutes in and it’s been all #monarchs. Sustained possession for long periods; creating offensive chances. Markstrom w/ 2 big saves
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
What a save! Bartosak slides to his left and seals the ice well there. Huge stop; huge chance.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
1-0. Kempe. 3 straight games.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
Adrian Kempe… again. Think his stock has risen this spring? 1-0 Manch.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 13, 2015
Terrific set up by Shore on Kempe’s goal, which came from closer range than his clapper yesterday.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 13, 2015
Adrian Kempe was playing preseason SHL hockey last August. Now 10 months into his season, the 18 y/o has 8 Calder Cup Playoffs goals.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 13, 2015
(By the way, he scored three more goals in the postseason than he did in 50 games in Sweden.)
Nick Shore feeds a great pass to @adriankempe who wastes exactly zero time in putting it home. #MCHvsUTI pic.twitter.com/3wly5LdOGR
— AHL (@TheAHL) June 13, 2015
#RoadWarrior https://t.co/tYVUMAkpit
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
2-0. LoVerde. PP goal. Oh Captain, my captain.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
After an Acton hook, LoVerde’s power play goal off a Dowd feed makes it 2-0 Manch with 6:51 to play in the first.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 13, 2015
3-0 Manch. Mersch rebound of a Dowd shot trickles past Markstrom, I believe. Had head down, was trying to #blog. Only caught the end.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 13, 2015
Utica is more deflated than that basketball you left in your garage for the last 5 years after you broke your hoop.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
Oh my gosh! Bartosak is in the zone! What an athletic game so far. Great sliding save again
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
3-0. Shot hit Mersch in the chest and went in.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
Refs are reviewing…
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
And….it’s no goal. Still 2-0.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
I thought the puck hit Mersch’s chest. Believe the ruling was a high stick.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
LoVerde on the power play. 2-0 Manchester. #MCHvsUTI pic.twitter.com/SM3nF8gLjm
— AHL (@TheAHL) June 13, 2015
2-0 Manch after one. Big goals by Manch, several enormous Bartosak saves (esp while the game was scoreless) during even run of play.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 13, 2015
End of an utterly dominant first. #Monarchs lead 2-0; up in shots 9-7. Will start the second on the PP for 1:40.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 13, 2015
Markstrom coming up huuuuuge for the #Comets. #MCHvsUTI pic.twitter.com/ZVNlgsFCPS
— AHL (@TheAHL) June 14, 2015
Utica with heavy pressure. Two Dowd blocks, one big Auger block, and Bartosak got his stick on a dangerous centering feed.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 14, 2015
Dowd’s third block in a two-minute span. LoVerde also with one. Comets buzzing.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 14, 2015
Nic Dowd with 2 great shot blocks. I love this kid’s game.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 14, 2015
3rd shot block. Darryl Sutter is sitting right behind me and probably falling in love with this kid.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 14, 2015
Markstrom with more huge stops, as Weal is denied after a brilliant steal from Brian O’Neill. The goalie is the only Comet awake tonight.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 14, 2015
Strong second period for Jacob Markstrom. Make several tough stops.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 14, 2015
Manchester Monarchs vs Utica Markstroms. #NoHelp
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 14, 2015
Bartosak doing a great job of calming plays down. Lots of intelligent covers. 2-0 Manch with 13:57 to play. SOG: UTI-26, MCH-12.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 14, 2015
Huge save by Bartosak with the glove. 10:05 to play. #Monarchs still up 2-0.
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 14, 2015
Kevin Gravel’s Twitter handle is @glassandout7. He did just that to deftly evade pressure.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 14, 2015
3:19 left…
— Andy Tonge (@AndyTonge1) June 14, 2015
Utica’s net is empty with 2:20 remaining. 2-0 Manch.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 14, 2015
Comets get on the board with 14.3 remaining. 2-1 game…
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) June 14, 2015
Manchester (LAK) wins the Calder Cup pic.twitter.com/yvWBJwKlJk
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 14, 2015
Calder Cup Playoffs MVP is Jordan Weal.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 14, 2015
Weal has interesting situation going into next season. Has done everything he can in the A arguably an NHL player and has to clear waivers.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 14, 2015
Adrian Kempe didn’t get a ton of ice time in critical situations but still scored 8 goals this postseason. Not bad for a September 1996.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 14, 2015
Player reactions, interviews and some blurry photos from Rosen will come in a separate thread.
Congratulations to the Manchester Monarchs on a dominant year and a totally dominant win in the playoffs!