Watson’s hat trick sparks Monarchs to a home-and-home sweep
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
MANCHESTER, NH – January 26, 2019 – In what was a 2-2 game heading into the third period, the Manchester Monarchs exploded for four goals and an eventual 6-3 win over the Maine Mariners on Saturday night at the SNHU Arena. Six Monarchs enjoyed multi-point performances, with Spencer Watson’s hat trick leading the charge. The Mariners fell out of a North Division playoff position with the loss.
It took until the final minute of the first period for the game’s first goal to be scored. Joe Sullivan fed Sam Kurker down the right wing, who got an angle on Brycen Martin and beat Brandon Halverson for the 1-0 Manchester lead through one period.
At 9:38 of the 2nd, the Mariners knotted the score when Jason Salvaggio cut into the middle off the rush and fired home his 8th of the season past Charles Williams. Kurker answered with a power play rebound goal at 13:09, but the Mariners quickly struck back when Morgan Adams-Moisan deflected Zach Tolkinen’s point shot at 14:22 – Adams-Moisan’s team-leading 14th goal of the season. Halverson made a miraculous stop on Sullivan, laying out to deny a cross-slot set up from Tim Shoup. A late interference penalty against Ryan Culkin would carry over into the third.
Thirty-five seconds into the third, Spencer Watson beat Halverson’s glove for the second Manchester power play goal of the night. At 1:48, Jack Nevins got the position in front of Halverson and touched home a Sullivan shot for the game’s first two-goal lead. Watson added two more, at 12:42 and 14:05 to complete the hat trick. The Mariners three power play goals allowed was a season high. Greg Chase got a Maine power play goal late to bring the final to 6-3.
Williams stopped 27/30 for the win while Halverson turned aside 31 of 37.
The Mariners have a 3:00 PM faceoff on Sunday afternoon against the Adirondack Thunder at the Cross Insurance Arena to complete the weekend. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersofMaine.com or by visiting or calling the Trusted Choice Box Office: 207-775-3458.
