Monarchs ‘in the Pink,’ beat Bruins, 3-1

MANCHESTER, NH – Brian O’Neill and Michael Mersch led the Monarchs to a 3-1 win over the Bruins at the Verizon Wireless Arena in the annual “Pink in the Rink” game before a crowd of 9,675.

Both players have tallied points in back-to-back nights against the Bruins (23-19-5-1). It also marked the first time in Mersch’s professional career scoring in consecutive games.

“It’s just two evenly matched teams,” Head Coach Mike Stothers said. “We play a similar brand. It’s usually good hockey. I don’t think last night we were as good as we could be or should have been, but I think we responded and rebounded today and it feels good.”

The Monarchs (29-11-4-2) opened the scoring at 19:03 in the first period when Mersch deflected a Vincent LoVerde shot from the point.

Providence answered back with a power-play goal off Scott Sabourin’s double minor at 11:50 in the second period when Ethan Werek tipped in a shot from Tommy Cross at the point.

O’Neill scored the game-winning goal with the Monarchs on a 5-on-3 power play at 17:43 in the second period.

O’Neill finished the game with an empty net goal assisted by Sean Backman and Andrew Bodnarchuk at 19:02 in the third period.

The Monarchs return to action at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Feb. 13 against Springfield at 7 p.m. and Feb. 14 against Bridgeport at 3 p.m.

Notes:

• Brian O’Neill has three goals and three assists over his last three games.
• Tonight was O’Neill’s second multi-goal game of the season (also, Nov. 19).
• The Monarchs are 15-1-0-0 when scoring first at home.
• Tonight marked Zach O’Brien’s first game since Jan. 10 vs. BNG.