The Cleveland Monsters took on the visiting Grand Rapids Griffins in their final game of their six game home stand and won by a score of 6-2.
Brad Thiessen got the start in goal after Veini Vehvilainen had a rough start in the Monsters loss to Binghamton Sunday. Giving Vehvilainein the night off before a long road trip will perhaps give him a chance to clear his head and focus on what is ahead of Cleveland moving forward.
The following players were listed as inactive by Cleveland: Ryan Collins, Bryan Moore, Michael Prapavessis, Zac Dalpe, Marko Dano.
1st period
Cleveland got on the board early with a goal just over a minute into the game. Gabriel Carlsson was able to put back the rebound after a shot from Jakob Lilja was blocked by Calvin Pickard. Adam Clendending and Jakob Lilja were credited with an assist on the play.
The Monsters had the first power play opportunity of the game, but were not able to do anything with it. Their 26th ranked power play unit showed exactly why they are ranked that low. Cleveland only managed three shots during their one man advantage.
With 6:39 left to play in the 1st period Cleveland’s 5th ranked penalty kill went to work. An interference penalty on Jakob Lilja saw the Monsters left winger head to the box. Cleveland was able to increase their lead to two thanks to a Stefan Matteau shorthanded goal. Matteau’s shot went right past Pickard and into the top right corner of the net. The fact the Monsters were able to increase their lead while down a man instead of when they were speaks volumes in the effectiveness of their power play and penalty kill units.
Cleveland and Grand Rapids tied in shots on goal in the 1st with 12 apiece. The difference is that Cleveland scored twice while Grand Rapids did not.
2nd period
Early on in the 2nd the Monsters were to able to extend their lead to three. The puck was behind the Griffins net and Calvin Thurkauf initially took the puck away from Grand Rapids. Kole Sherwood then sent the puck right in front of the goal to Paul Bittner. Bittner made sure to make the most of his opportunity and gave Cleveland a 3-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Monsters to increase their lead to four. Jakob Lilja added to the Cleveland lead with 5:03 gone in the 2nd period. Adam Clendening and Derek Barach assisted on the goal.
A penalty to Anton Karlsson saw the Monsters penalty kill go back to work. This time their penalty kill was unsuccessful as Grand Rapids got on the board, making it a 4-1 game.
Cleveland scored two goals back-to-back to take a commanding five goal lead. Trey Fix-Wolanksy and Maxime Fortier scored within one minute of each other. This was Fortier’s first goal of the season. Fortier would later describe his goal.
Cleveland’s sixth goal resulted in a goalie swap for Grand Rapids. Calvin Pickard went to the bench as Pat Nagle replaced him. Monsters coach Mike Eaves would comment on their strategy against Nagle and his performance the rest of the game.
Cleveland found themselves back on the power play due to a Grand Rapids slashing penalty. A second Griffins penalty gave Cleveland a 5-on-3 with 7:52 to play in the 2nd. The Monsters were unable to make anything of their two-man advantage.
Cleveland pulled ahead in regards to shots on goal in the period (16-13).
3rd period
Cleveland went on the penalty kill early in the 3rd period. Doyle Somerboy was called for cross-checking with 1:49 elapsed in the final period. This time the Monsters penalty kill was successful in preventing Grand Rapids from scoring.
Grand Rapids was able to score their second and final goal of the game at the 13:42 mark in the 3rd period.
The Monsters were dominant on the scoreboard but trailed yet again in regards to shots on goal (39-34). In all four games since the break this has been a recurring theme.
Mike Eaves is not necessarily concerned with the large differential. Eaves is more concerned with scoring chances and not necessarily shots on goal.
The differential in Tuesday’s win (4) is significantly closer than some of the other games (20, 14, 23).
