Monsters drop final game of season to Griffins

The Cleveland Monsters were not able to end the season on a high note, losing their final game of the season 4-1 to Grand Rapids.

After winning their final home game of the season Friday, the Cleveland Monsters attempted to close out the season with a win, but were unable to do so. Grand Rapids handed Cleveland a fairly decisive 4-1 loss in the what was the final contest of the 2021 season.

The Griffins got on the scoreboard early in the 1st period, 46 seconds into the game actually and held that 1-0 lead into the 3rd period. The Monsters were able to tie things up about four minutes into the final period on a goal from Gavin Bayreuther, his third of the year. Assisting on the goal was Dillon Simpson who got his 11th of the season.

Unfortunately for Cleveland, Grand Rapids rallied over the final five and a half minutes and tallied three goals. Two of the goals scored were empty netters with about a minute and a half remaining the game, sealing the Monsters fate in the contest so only two of the goals scored came against Cleveland’s goaltender Daniil Tarasov. Tarasov managed to save 41 of 43 shots on goal when he was on the ice.

The Monsters finished the season in second place in the AHL Central Division with 35 points and a record of 16-10-1-2. Considering the rough start for the club, this was a pretty impressive finish when it is all said and done.