Daily Archives: December 12, 2021

Monsters lose to Phantoms in Lehigh Valley 4-2

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The Cleveland Monsters allowed three unanswered goals as they lost to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms by a score of 4-2.

Midway through the 2nd period things appeared to be going according to plan for the Cleveland Monsters. Cleveland held a 2-1 lead over the eighth place Phantoms and were in position to come away with a win in Lehigh Valley. The remainder of the game did not go Cleveland’s way as they allowed three unanswered goals in what would be a 4-2 loss.

It was not for a lack of trying as the Monsters actually held the advantage in the shots on goal department over the final two periods (22-15). An ill-timed tripping penalty on Olivier LeBlanc gave the Phantoms a power play opportunity which proved to be a catalyst for the rest of the game. In less than a 12 minute span of game time, Lehigh Valley scored three times taking a 4-2 lead with just 3:45 elapsed in the 3rd period which end up as the final score.

Scoring for Cleveland was Cole Clayton in the 1st period on one of their two power play chances. It was the first goal of the season for Clayton while Kevin Stenlund (10) and Josh Dunne (4) assisting on the play. The Monsters second and final goal of the game came midway in the 2nd as Tyler Sikura netted his sixth of the season. Thomas Schemitsch (4) and Liam Foudy (10) each were credited with an assist on the play.

Daniil Tarasov retuned to his place in between the pipes after returning to Cleveland from Columbus earlier in the week. Tarasov allowed four goals on 31 shots, just the second time in his last five AHL appearances allowing more than one goal.

The loss now has the Monsters sitting in fourth place in the AHL North Division with 25 points in 23 games. A two game home stand against first place Utica begins Thursday night as they look to snap their current two-game losing streak. 

Cavaliers dominant in win over Kings

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The Cleveland Cavaliers controlled their Saturday night contest with the Sacramento Kings from start to finish.

There was not a point on Saturday night which made anyone feel that the Cleveland Cavaliers were in danger of losing to the Sacramento Kings. The Cavs were not the welcoming party that Sacramento was hoping for as they ran them out of the building. Cleveland was able to build their lead up to 29 points, coming at the end of their 45 point 2nd quarter. While the Cavs were outscored 51-36 in the second half, they had built such a large lead that it did not matter as Cleveland was able to hang on for a 117-103 win.

It was a team wide offensive onslaught which propelled the Cavaliers over the Kings. While there was not a singular player who scored in bunches, six players scored 15 points or more. Leading the Cavs in points was Isaac Okoro with 20, a season-high. Joining Okoro in the surprising scoring output department was Cedi Osman. Osman finished with 18 points, making his first six shots of the game.

With Okoro and Osman primarily being scoring threats, others were able to score and make an impact in other areas of the game compiling double-doubles. Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Evan Mobley had a casual 15-15 game (PTS, REBS), and Darius Garland had 16 points and 13 assists.

This was the exact type of game that the Cavaliers have to win. This team is starting to gain some momentum and is getting noticed by those outside of Cleveland. In order to take the next step they desire, winning games against teams that are the caliber of the Kings is a must. Win decisively against the bottom feeders while at least being competitive with the playoff teams and things start to look a lot brighter.

The Cavaliers have a tough matchup Monday night as they host the Miami Heat looking to avenge their loss earlier this season. 

 

Browns hold on to defeat Ravens

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It was not a pretty game and things nearly ended up differently, but the Cleveland Browns defeated the Baltimore Ravens 24-22.

There was a here we go again feeling as the Baltimore Ravens were driving down the field late in the 4th to cut into the Browns nine-point lead. The Ravens would score on a  14-play 90-yard drive to make it a 24-22 game, setting the scene for a crucial onside kick attempt. Baltimore had not recovered an onside kick in 20 seasons, but that would change as the ball hit Andy Janvovich and a Ravens defender recovered the ball, giving the team that once derailed 24-3 life. In a turn of events that usually result in the Browns losing the game in one way or another, Denzel Ward came though on 4th and 6 to tackle Rashod Bateman four yards short of the marker ending Baltimore’s comeback attempt.

This was an all too close finish for a game that looked like the Browns were going. to run away with early. Baker Mayfield was efficient early on, completing 14 of his first 16 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Connecting with Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper for scores, this was the first multi-touchdown game for Mayfield since the 41-16 win over Cincinnati in early November. From that point Mayfield was just 8-16 with one interception for just 64 yards, a complete flip of the first half of his pass attempts. This has been the story for Mayfield this entire season, unpredictable and inconsistent. Just when things appear to be pointing up the other shoe drops and an uninspired performance follows.

A key play for the Browns came on defense late in the 2nd quarter as Myles Garrett stripped Tyler Huntley, recovered the fumble, and returned it for a touchdown for what was Cleveland’s final points of the game.

Notes

Lamar Jackson and Calais Campbell both exited the game pretty early on for Baltimore. While the Ravens did all of their scoring with Huntley in the game, Jackson is a better quarterback and perhaps those early field goal drives end up as touchdowns. Their absences definitely played a factor in the Browns ending up victorious.

Nick Chubb rushed the ball 17 times for 59 yards, the second-lowest total of the season, the lowest being the loss to Baltimore in their previous game.

Donovan Peoples-Jones led the Browns in receiving with five reactions for 90 yards, with 34 of those yards coming on their touchdown drive which was aided by Baltimore penalties. Peoples-Jones, Jarvis Landry, and Austin Hooper each finished with five reception. Mayfield leaned on this trio heavily throughout the contest, targeting them 22 times total.

It was not a pretty win, but the Browns will certainly take it. Cleveland is in a state where they their season is on the line every week and they cannot afford to lose. A visit from the Las Vegas Raiders awaits them next Saturday as they look to continue their push for the postseason as they currently are on the outside looking in as far as the playoff picture is concerned.