Watson’s first career hat trick gives Monarchs overtime victory

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Manchester Monarchs remain perfect on the season against the Brampton Beast thanks to a 6-5 overtime victory on Friday night.

Manchester got on the board quickly thanks to a Spencer Watson rebound finding the back of the net 25 seconds into the contest. However, the Beast would dominate the next 40 minutes of play, interrupted only by a Francois Beauchemin goal moments before the first intermission.

During the first two periods, Brampton outshot Monarchs 29-10, building what looked like an insurmountable three goal lead, but momentum shifted following a Beauchemin goal 8:59 in the third period.

Watson would add his second goal of the night just over three minutes later and a shorthanded goal by Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman with 33 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime.

Manchester sealed their victory 2:49 into the overtime period thanks to a Watson shot that richoted off the skate of Brampton’s Jamie Doornbosch.

That goal sealed Watson’s first career hat trick and also gave LaVallee-Smoterman his third assist of the night.

Matt O’Connor ended his Monarchs debut in net with 35 saves, the ninth highest total in Manchester’s 46 games so far this season.

Brandon Marino recorded two goals for Brampton and the Beast also received multi-point nights from Doornbosch, Reggie Traccito, and Daniel Ciampini.

Manchester (27-15-3-1) maintained their two-point lead atop the ECHL North Division, but couldn’t build it thanks to Friday night wins by Reading, Adirondack and Wheeling.

Adirondack travel to SNHU Arena seeking a piece of that lead on Saturday, as they face the Monarchs at 6 p.m.