Monsters drop season opener to Crunch 6-4
The Cleveland Monsters were unable to come away with a win in the season opener, falling to the Syracuse Crunch 6-4.
The 2021-22 AHL season kicked off Friday with the Cleveland Monsters playing host to the Syracuse Crunch, hoping to send the home crowd home happy with a win. Unfortunately Syracuse had other ideas as Cleveland was simply not able to keep up with the scoring of the Crunch.
Things started off great in the 1st period, the Monsters took an early 2-0 lead before the midway point. The lead was short-lived however as Syracuse tied things up later in the period Syracuse would add another goal early in the 2nd to take the lead just 2:55 into the 2nd with the Monsters answering just minutes later.
The Crunch were able to go on a second three-goal unanswered spree after Cleveland tied the game in the 2nd. At that point it was just too much for Cleveland to keep up as they were only able to add one more goal before the end of the game.
This game was not about shots on goal as both teams finished with a similar total (SYR 22 – CLE 26). It was about execution in the special teams department. The Monsters converted just one of eight power play opportunities while Syracuse scored once on the power play and also added a shorthanded goal. If a team is unable to convert on their own power play chances while giving up shorthanded goals it will be quite difficult to come away victorious.
Game notes
Daniil Tarasov started in goal for the Monsters, saving 16 of 21 shots on goal. One of Syracuse’s six goals came with an empty net.
Cleveland’s goal scorers were Tim Berni, Jake Christiansen, Adam Helewka, and Justin Scott. Assisting on those goals for the Monsters were Helewka, Christiansen, Tyler Angle, Justin Danforth, Josh Dunne, Tristan Mullin, and Gabriel Carlsson.
