Over 7,000 fans at DCU Center cheer on Railers on Fan Appreciation Day

Manchester Monarchs at Worcester Railers HC

April 8, 2018

DCU Center

Meeting 15 of 15 vs. Monarchs this season

Worcester went 7-8-0-0 vs. Manchester this season

Over 7,000 fans at DCU Center cheer on Railers on Fan Appreciation Day

Railers will play the Adirondack Thunder in the first round of the Kelly Cup

Worcester, MA – The Worcester Railers HC(37-27-4-4, 82pts) closed out the regular season with a 2-0 loss to the visiting Manchester Monarchs(41-25-3-3, 88pts) in front of 7,191 fans at the DCU Center on Sunday afternoon. The Railers will face the Adirondack Thunder in the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs which will begin Friday, April 13 at 7pm at Glens Falls, NY.

Sam Kurker and Michael Doherty scored for the Monarchs as Will King made 25 saves in net for the Railers.  Worcester had a season high six straight game win streak snapped as Evan Cowley made 24 saves in net for Manchester.

Neither team found the back of the net in the opening frame with the only real excitement occurring at 10:14 as Frankie DiChiara (2ndFM) dropped Jake Wood with a series of rights after a high hit on Matt Lane at center ice.  Shots were 7-4 in favor of Manchester through 20 minutes of play.

Manchester got on the board at 16:08 of the second period after a perfect shot by Sam Kurker (12th) from 25 feet that hit the crossbar and into the net. Yanick Turcotte picked up his 20thfighting major with a long tussle by Tony Turgeon at 17:19. Shots were 20-16 in favor of Manchester though 40 minutes as the Railers trailed 1-0 through two periods of play.

The Railers thought they had tied the game late in the third period as the red light went on after a goal mouth scramble, but after a brief discussion it was ruled no goal. Michael Doherty (20th) scored an empty netter at 18:39 to give Manchester a 2-0 road victory.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Will King (25 saves) 2nd star: Frankie DiChiara (Fight) 1st star: Yanick Turcotte (20thFighting Major) …Final shots were 27-24 in favor of Manchester…Evan Cowley (9-9-1) made 24 saves on 24 shots for Manchester… Charles Williams was the backup for the Monarchs…. Will King (7-10-1) made 25 saves in 26 shot in net for Worcester…Mitch Gillam was the backup goaltender for the Railers…. Worcester went 0-for-0 on the power play while Manchester went 0-for-3…Josh Monk (inj), Chris Langkow (inj), Tommy Kelley (inj), Mike Cornell, Matty Gaudreau, and Barry Almeida did not dress for Worcester…. Kellen Jones, Eamon McAdam, Jeff Kubiak, Patrick Cullity, Josh Holmstrom, and Kyle Schempp are currently on recall with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers…. the Railers closed out the season with seven games in 12 days…. the Railers finished 11-2-1 in their last 14 games overall… Worcester closed the season with a 21-13-2-0 record at the DCU Center…Turcotte finished with 20 fighting majors – tied for 1stin the ECHL,

What’s on tap? – PLAYOFFS!

The Worcester Railers (4thseed) will face the Adirondack (1stseed) in the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs presented by Energy Monster.  The first round is a best of seven series and will follow a 1-2-2-1-1 format.  Complete schedule below:

GAME 1 Friday, April 13                    7pm                            at Adirondack

GAME 2 Saturday, April 14              7:05pm                       at Worcester (Home Game A)

GAME 3 Sunday, April 15                 5:05pm                       at Worcester (Home Game B)

GAME 4Wednesday, April 18        7pm                                at Adirondack

GAME 5 Saturday, April 21              7pm                              at Adirondack – if necessary

GAME 6 Monday, April 23               7:05pm                        at Worcester (Home Game C) – if necessary

GAME 7 Wednesday, April 25        7pm                              at Adirondack – if necessary

The first 1,000 fans at all home playoff games will receive a Railers HC rally towel presented by Energy Monster.  Fans can score $5 Bud Lightsin the Bud Light Lounge at all home playoff games.  Family Fun Packswill be available for all home playoff games which include four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for just $80.  Individual tickets start at just $15. Call 508-365-1750 or visit www.RailersHC.com.

Tickets are on sale now through the DCU Center Box Office, online via ticketmaster.com, or by calling 508-365-1750.  Worcester Railers HC members may purchase their season tickets for the playoffs by clicking HERE.

The Worcester Railers were 16 points behind the Wheeling Nailers on January 25 and were in 6thplace in the North Division.  The Railers have posted a 22-8-1-2 record since, which included a 15-3-1-0 record at the DCU Center.  Worcester was 11-2-1 in their last 14 games overall outscoring their opponents 34-20. The Railers went 8-2-2-0 vs. the Adirondack Thunder this season which includes a 5-1-1-0 record at the Cool Insuring Arena.

The Railers Tavern, located behind the DCU Center provides hockey fans with a great pregame and postgame atmosphere all season long. Watch all road games broadcast live at Railers Tavern or watch on ECHLTV.com for a small fee. Listen to all Worcester Railers playoff games live on 98.9 Nash ICONwith coverage beginning 30 minutes before puck drop with Eric Lindquistand Tom Matthews. Full season memberships for the 2018-19 season, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.

#PlayoffsAreHere