The Mid-South Monarchs ran into a hot goaltender and a four-goal second period Friday night, falling 5-0 to the Fresno Falcons at Selland Arena in Fresno, California. The loss drops Southaven’s new Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) team to 0-3 in its inaugural season.
The Monarchs were the first FPHL team to make the trip west to face Fresno, another first-year franchise. The two clubs meet again Saturday, Oct. 17, before the Monarchs return home to the Landers Center next week.
Second Period Sinks the Mid-South Monarchs
The first period was scoreless, with both goaltenders turning away early chances, according to the league recap. The game turned in the second period, when Fresno scored four times:
Austin Huffnagle opened the scoring by crashing the net.
Trey Deloury made it 2-0 on the power play.
Austin Albrect added an unassisted power-play goal for 3-0.
Hugo Koch closed out the period with Fresno’s fourth goal.
Huffnagle added his second goal of the night in the third period, a shorthanded tally that was the only score of the final frame.
Monarchs Goalies Faced 60 Shots
The scoreline could have been worse. Monarchs goaltenders Tommy Nappier and Wyatt Friedlander combined to stop 55 of 60 Fresno shots. At the other end, Fresno’s Austyn Roudebush stopped all 18 Mid-South shots for his first shutout of the season.
Penalties hurt the Monarchs. Two of Fresno’s goals came on the power play, and a third came while the Falcons were shorthanded.
Rematch Saturday, Home Opener Oct. 23
The Monarchs and Falcons play again Saturday night in Fresno. The team says the game will stream live on the Monarchs’ YouTube channel.
After that, the team finally comes home. The Monarchs open their home schedule at the Landers Center in Southaven with back-to-back games:
Friday, Oct. 23: Monarchs vs. Baton Rouge Kingfish. Doors open at 6 p.m., and puck drop is at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24: Monarchs vs. Baton Rouge Kingfish. Doors open at 6 p.m., and puck drop is at 7 p.m.
Crews installed the ice at the Landers Center earlier this month in preparation for the home opener. The Monarchs opened their season with two road losses at Monroe, 6-3 and 5-1, on Oct. 10 and 11.
