Monarchs win G1/Q draft: Saturday notes

Edit: Knew I left something out. From yesterday: Scott Pellerin gets a nice promotion with the Maple Leafs. Great to see.

Michael Mersch’s second goal, 4:10 into overtime, gave Manchester a win in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final. The Monarchs took the lead twice — Mersch himself scored the second Manchester goal, 2:23 into the third — but Utica tied it twice, the second by Cory Conacher, who’s on a hot streak the way he’s never been in the playoffs before. But in overtime, after Manchester finished killing off a delay-of-game minor, Jordan Weal rushed up the left side and drove to the net, and Mersch went to the net to finish it off before the net was dislodged.

Game 2 is tomorrow evening in Manchester.

The QMJHL had its draft today, and a few locals went: Alex Mella of Stamford (7th round-110th overall, Rimouski); Christian LeSueur of Greenwich (12-203, Baie-Comeau); Matt Gosiewski, Wilton (13-221, Chicoutimi); Eric Esposito, West Haven (14-248, Val d’Or); Jack Hoey, Fairfield (14-250, Quebec); and Patrick Harper, New Canaan (14-251, Blainville-Boisbrand).

Good story on Gordie Howe, his family and his treatment.

There was much discussion about who was in the right in a lease dispute (and it appears that isn’t over), but the Danbury Whalers have vacated the premises. A shame.

Amazing to see a Triple Crown for the first time in 37 years.

And best wishes to Mel Stottlemyre.

Michael Fornabaio