With Wednesday’s 5-1 road win against the Reading Royals, the Manchester Monarchs (33-20-7-4) moved into the third-seed position in the North Division playoff race.
Manchester goalie Jack Flinn finished with 35 saves and has now stopped 115 of 120 shots in his last three games against Reading (36-24-2-2).
Goals from Teddy Doherty and Daniel Doremus gave the Monarchs a 2-0 lead after the first period at Santander Arena in Reading, Penn. The Royals cut the lead in half in the second period, but Joey Diamond (two goals) made it 3-1 on an assist from Doremus at 5:28 of the third. Diamond scored again at 14:53 of the third, assisted by Wade Murphy and Doremus. Kevin Morris completed the scoring with an empty-net goal with 2:59 left in the game.
The Monarchs return home Saturday to host the Elmira Jackals for a pair of games during Fan Appreciation Weekend at SNHU Arena in Manchester. Saturday’s game begins at 6 p.m.