To kick off the 2012 AHL season, the Manchester Monarchs and Norfolk Admirals won their first two games to start atop the Eastern Conference standings.
The Monarchs, the Los Angeles Kings AHL affiliate, are led by defensemen David Kolomatis and Jake Muzzin, who have two goals and three assists, respectively, in Manchester's wins.
In their opener, the Monarchs topped the Providence Bruins 3-1 with a two-goal third period. On Saturday, Kolomatis scored both of his goals to help Manchester to a 2-1 victory against the Albany Devils.
Meanwhile, the Admirals, the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate, battled the Worcester Sharks in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday. Norfolk used two goals in both the first and third period to get past the Worcester Sharks, 4-2 on Saturday, then won in a shootout for a 4-3 victory on Sunday.
The Springfield Falcons and Bridgeport Sound Tigers also hold 2-0 records and tied with Manchester and Norfolk for first place in the Eastern Conference.