The host Worcester Sharks defeated the Manchester Monarchs 3-1 in AHL action Wednesday night.

The loss snapped a five-game winning streak over Worcester. Manchester is now 19-12-2 for 40 points. The Sharks improved to 15-8-6 for 36 points.

The Monarchs left Worcester bound for Albany, where they will face the Devils Friday night at 7 p.m.

After a scoreless first period, Worcester scored twice in the second frame to post a 2-0 lead.

Nathan Moon scored at 14:48, re-directing a Sean Sullivan shot past Jeff Zatkoff.

Matt Pelech made it 2-0 at 18:06, scoring off a faceoff in the Manchester zone.

Curt Gogol pushed the Sharks lead to 3-0 with a goal at 6:25 of the third period.

The Monarchs broke Harri Sateri’s shutout bid at 15:16 of the third period on a shorthanded goal from Dwight King.

Marc-Andre Cliche sent King ahead on a breakaway and King finished for his fifth goal of the season but it was not enough to spark the Monarchs the rest of the way on the comeback trail.

Manchester will host Providence Saturday night at Verizon Wireless Arena at 7 p.m. for the annual New Year’s Eve game, featuring an indoor fireworks show after the game.