Fresh off an entertaining win Saturday, the Cleveland Monsters came into Sunday afternoon with a chance to sweep the season series from the Wolves. Cleveland took full advantage and made sure to send the Cleveland crowd home happy.
1st Period
The 1st period started off like two boxers trying to jab their opponents and get a feel for the game, just waiting for the opportune time to land a hook. It was the Monsters who landed that big blow first as Tristan Mullins scored his second goal of the season, giving Cleveland an early 1-0 lead 5:38 into the period. Zach Jordan (2) and Ole Bjorgvik-Holm (4) assisted on the first goal of the game.
Cleveland continued their assault on Chicago’s goal and in double barrel fashion Brett Gallant took control of the puck in Chicago’s zone and put it past Connor Ingram into the net to make is 2-0 Monsters. Thomas Schemitsch was credited with an assist on the goal, his ninth of the campaign.
Brett Gallant said during postgame that the goal came after a “Breakdown in our end” and “Didn’t know where the puck was and got lucky”.
Coach Mike Eaves would emphasize the importance of Brett Gallant on this roster after the game. “Such a sitting influence in practice, the bench, and the locker room”. Later adding “Really good with the younger guys on the bench and locker room”.
A Wyatt Newpower tipping penalty had the Monsters at a disadvantage as the 1st period winded down. Cleveland’s penalty kill did their job well until the final second as Chicago netted their first goal of the game. The Wolves challenged their inner boxer that has been knocked down and beaten up early, but refusing to give up.
Chicago held an advantage in the shots on goal department (9-7), but Cleveland’s conversion rate was better overall. Considering the Monsters scored against full strength and the Wolves scored on a power play, it was a bit more difficult for Cleveland to score, twice nonetheless.
2nd Period
The second stanza in this one started off exactly like the first, with both teams feeling each other out. The only difference is that the time it took before making big moves and/or hits was cut significantly. Both the Wolves and Monsters were much more aggressive and willing to take chances. They were also more apt to taking big hits on each other, something that was a bit more tentative in the 1st period.
A penalty for too many men on the ice put the Monsters in penalty kill mode just a little under midway through the period. There were a few times that Chicago looked like they were going to capitalize on the Cleveland penalty, but their special teams went to work and kept the Wolves at bay.
Shortly after the Monsters were unable to convert on their own power play, Tyler Angle came to the rescue and increased Cleveland’s lead back to two. It was Angle’s ninth goal of the season, assisted by Liam Foudy (12) and Jake Christiansen (10).
Cleveland finished ahead in shots on goal in the 2nd period, holding a 12-10 advantage. Add in the fact that Monsters scored and the Wolves did not it was a bit more encouraging than the 1st period when Chicago held the shot advantage.
3rd Period
It was another similar start to the 3rd period. There was one exception, the time it took to get to big time body blows was quite short. The Monsters and Wolves were more than ready to deliver the big hits. On a scale of 1-10, the intensity was an easy 11.
As the period progressed the physical nature of the hits only increased. Not only were they becoming more frequent, they seem to have had a purpose. Each trip into the offensive zone was a test of toughness for those involved. Any player that went for the puck was inviting an onslaught of brutality from their opponent. For those who hold a special place in their heart for old school hockey this must have been heaven.
The physicality took a break for a moment as the Wolves pulled within one with 4:04 left to play in the period. The shot went to the left of Matiss Kivlenieks right into the back of the net.
Chicago’s last ditch effort to send the game into overtime was all for naught as Tyler Angle scored an empty netter with just over a minute and a half left to play. It was the second of the game for Angle and 10th of the season. Angle was assisted by Liam Foudy, his 13th assist.
Coach Eaves would state after the game that “Chicago is a very good team” and “They make us better when we play them”. Based off the result of the game, it is pretty safe to say that is a true statement.
