The Mid-South Monarchs’ first win is in the books. DeSoto County’s new pro hockey team beat the Fresno Falcons 6-3 Saturday night in Fresno, California. It was the first victory in franchise history and it came one night after a 5-0 shutout loss to the same team.
The win gives the Southaven-based Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) club its first points of the season. It also comes less than a week before the Monarchs play their first-ever home game at the Landers Center.
How the Mid-South Monarchs First Win Unfolded
According to the team’s game release, the first two periods were tight, and only the Monarchs scored in either one.
First period: Darion Benchich scored his second goal of the season for a 1-0 lead.
Second period: Emerson Emery knocked in a rebound on the power play to make it 2-0.
Third period: Fresno’s Houston Wilson cut the lead to 2-1 early. The Monarchs then answered with three straight goals. Newcomer Tyler Houmard scored first, Mike McBride backhanded in his first goal of the season, and Benchich added his second goal of the night to make it 5-1.
Closing minutes: Fresno scored twice late, and Frank Trazzera sealed the 6-3 win with an empty-net goal.
Friedlander Stops 56 Shots
Goaltender Wyatt Friedlander was the star of the night. He stopped 56 of the 59 shots Fresno fired at him. At the other end, Falcons goalie Dysen Skinner made 19 saves on 24 shots.
Saturday’s result turned around the first game of the series. On Friday, Fresno shut out the Monarchs 5-0. Before the California trip, Mid-South dropped both games of its season-opening series at the Monroe Moccasins in Louisiana.
Monarchs Home Opener Friday at Landers Center
The Monarchs now head home for their first game in DeSoto County. They host the Baton Rouge Kingfish at the Landers Center in Southaven on Friday, Oct. 23. The Landers Center lists doors at 6 p.m. and the game at 7 p.m. The same teams play again on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the same times.
Where: Landers Center, Southaven
Opponent: Baton Rouge Kingfish
Tickets: On sale now through the Landers Center and Ticketmaster
Can’t make it? The team says games stream live on the Monarchs’ YouTube channel.
Crews installed the ice at the Landers Center earlier this month to get ready for the team’s arrival.
