Big crowd at DCU Center watch Railers drop 5-4 decision to Monarchs

Manchester Monarchs at Worcester Railers HC

December 30, 2017

DCU Center

Meeting 8 of 15 vs. Manchester this season

Worcester is 4-4-0-0 vs. the Monarchs this season

Big crowd at DCU Center watch Railers drop 5-4 decision to Monarchs

Woody Hudson scored twice in-home loss for Worcester

Worcester, MA – The Worcester Railers HC (12-12-2-2, 28pts) led 1-0 and 2-1 but faltered late in the third period in a 5-4 loss to the first place Manchester Monarchs (20-10-1-1, 42pts) in front of 7,118 fans at the DCU Center on Saturday evening.  The two clubs battle again on Sunday at 6pm in Manchester to close out the New Year.

Woody Hudson scored twice, Barry Almeida and Kellen Jones also found the back of the net while Mike Cornell added two assists for the Railers in the loss.  Manchester had five different goal scorers and got 30 saves from Brandon Komm to even up the series vs. the Railers with four wins apiece.  Eamon McAdam made 20 saves for Worcester in a game that saw Worcester lead on two occasions before the Monarchs pulled away in the third period.

Woody Hudson (9th) scored in his third straight game with a nice deflection from on top of the crease on a Mike Cornell shot from the point at 9:40 to give Worcester a 1-0 lead.  Manchester would answer just over two minutes later as Matt Leitner (7th) deflected a David Kolomatis blast past Eamon McAdam on the power play at 11:46. Shots were 13-6 in favor of Worcester through 20 minutes of play.

Each team scored twice in the second period as the see-saw affair continued.  Woody Hudson (10th) struck at 1:38 with another deflection in front past goaltender Brandon Komm to give the Railers a 2-1 advantage.  Manchester tied it again at 9:24 as Michael Doherty (6th) tapped home a power play score after a nice feed by Matt Buckles.  The Monarchs grabbed their first lead at 13:26 as Francois Beauchemin (1st) buried a quick shot after a faceoff win in the Railers zone as Worcester went down 3-2.  Worcester would tie it late in the period as Barry Almeida (8th) deflected a TJ Syner shot into the net at 19:03 to knot the score at 3-3.  Shots were 21-19 Worcester through 40 minutes of play.

Zac Lynch (15th) scored on the rush with a nice finish at 2:58 of the third period to put Manchester back on top, and this time for good at 2:58.  Worcester thought they had tied the score with about four minutes left but it was ruled by the officials that the puck was kicked into the net.  Spencer Watson (3rd) scored into the empty net at 18:18 to put Manchester ahead 5-3.  The Railers would get back within a goal as Kellen Jones (6th) was set up by Patrick McNally at 19:27, but it was too little too late as the Monarchs held on for a 5-4 road victory.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Sam Kurker (Goal) 2nd star: Zac Lynch (Goal) 1st star: Woody Hudson (2 goals) …Final shots were 34-25 in favor of Worcester… Brandon Komm (4-4-2) made 30 saves on 34 shots for Manchester…. Eamon McAdam (7-7-4) made 20 saves on 24 shots for Worcester… Mitch Gillam was the backup goalie …. Worcester went 1-for-4 on the power play while Manchester went 2-for-2…. Frankie DiChiara, Matty Gaudreau (inj), and Josh Monk (inj) did not dress for Worcester…. forward Chris Langkow is still with the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL) on a PTO…. Woody Hudson has scored four goals in the last three games…Wade Murphy (0-3-3) and Barry Almeida (2-1-3) each have a three-game point streak…the 7,118 attendance was the second highest at the DCU Center this season.

What’s on track?

On Sunday, Dec 31 the Railers battle the Monarchs in Manchester to close out 2017 with a 6pm start.

The Railers host the Reading Royals on Wednesday, Jan 3 at 7:05pm.  Score $5 off any ticket at the Box Office when you show your Price Chopper Advantage Card for any Wednesday night game!

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 Railers games live on 98.9 Nash ICON with coverage beginning 30 minutes before puck drop with Eric Lindquist and Tom Matthews. Full season memberships, 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.