Monarchs’ Three-Goal Second Period Lifts Them Past Dragons, 5-3

COLUMBUS, GA - Returning to home ice for the first time since October 24, the Columbus River Dragons welcomed the Mid-South Monarchs for a Friday night divisional matchup. In a physical, penalty-filled contest that featured plenty of momentum swings, a three-goal second period proved to be the difference as Mid-South handed Columbus a 5-3 defeat.

Both teams came out with an edge, trading chances early in the opening frame. At 7:33, Jack Cullen took exception to Jack Wren making contact with the Dragons’ goaltender, sparking a confrontation that ultimately resulted in Cullen receiving 17 penalty minutes and an ejection from the game. Mid-South capitalized on the ensuing lengthy power-play opportunity, as recently activated Zach Shankar found the back of the net from the bumper position at 12:44. Taking a feed from Frank Trazzera, Shankar beat Trevor Babin to give the Monarchs a 1-0 advantage.

Columbus generated some quality pressure on Thomas Nappier in the closing minutes of the period but couldn't find the equalizer. After 20 minutes, Mid-South carried a 1-0 lead into the intermission while holding a 13-10 advantage in shots.

The second period brought a significant increase in offense, with both teams finding their way onto the scoresheet. Just 1:23 into the frame, Shankar struck again, finishing an odd-man rush off a feed from Darion Benchich to extend the Monarchs' lead to 2-0.

The Dragons responded at 5:42. Rookie forward Tino Cristella took a pass from Kirk Underwood, drove down the slot and snapped a shot past Nappier to cut the deficit in half. However, Mid-South answered just over a minute later, as Hunter Godmere scored in his Monarchs debut to restore the two-goal cushion.

Columbus continued to push and found another answer midway through the period. Yaro Yevdokimov powered his way toward the net before finishing on the backhand past Nappier, bringing the Dragons back within one at 3-2. With momentum beginning to swing in their favor, Columbus generated sustained offensive pressure but left some opportunities for the Monarchs to counterattack. Mid-South took advantage at 17:12, with Godmere burying his second of the night off a rush set up by Shankar and Kirkby to make it 4-2 heading into the third.

Trailing by two, the Dragons entered the final period looking to use the home crowd to their advantage and mount another comeback. Nappier stood tall early, turning aside several quality chances as Columbus continued to apply pressure.

The Dragons were given a prime opportunity to get back into the game just over seven minutes into the period when AJ Basich was assessed a five-minute major for boarding. Columbus eventually broke through on the power play, as Yevdokimov scored his second of the night at 11:42 to bring the Dragons within one at 4-3.

With the game hanging in the balance, Columbus continued searching for the tying goal but couldn't find a way past Nappier. Despite earning another late power-play opportunity, the Dragons were unable to convert, and Mid-South came up with a crucial penalty kill to preserve its advantage. Cam Cervone ultimately sealed the result with an empty-net goal, securing a 5-3 victory and handing the Monarchs their first win over Columbus this season.

The River Dragons finished with a 34-30 advantage in shots, but Mid-South's second-period offensive outburst proved too much to overcome.

The two divisional rivals will waste little time before meeting again, with the series shifting to the Landers Center in Southaven for Saturday night's 8:00 p.m. EST rematch. After trading blows throughout Friday's contest, Columbus will look to respond on the road and even the weekend series, while the Monarchs aim to carry their momentum into the second half of the back-to-back.