Cleveland’s one game road trip went about as good as it could have been.
Contrary to the words of Jim Morrison, the Monsters did get out alive as it was a decisive win for the Cleveland Monsters Wednesday. The Monsters they came away with a 5-1 win over the Americans in Rochester.
Cleveland got started early with a goal from Jake Christriansen (3:47), his first of the season. Assisting on the goal was Nathan Gerbe (6) and Adam Helewka (2). It was less than five minutes later that the Monsters doubled up with a goal from Gavin Bayreuther, also his first of the season. Carson Meyer and Justin Scott registered their 5th and 6th assists on the season respectively. It was a special moment for Bayreuther as it was his 100th career AHL point.
The 2nd period was scoreless, but it was not for a lack of trying. Both teams attempted 7 shots on goal, none of which found the net. There was a few penalties for the Monsters in the period. Justin Scott was called for hooking just over a minute into the period. At the 8:02 mark Adam Clendening was sent to the penalty box for slashing. Finally, a fight between Cleveland’s Evan Polei and Rochester’s Dalton Smith saw both going to the box for fighting.
The good news is that the 3rd period saw some action on the scoreboard. Tyler Sikura increased Cleveland’s lead to three 4:18 into the period. With Christiansen assisting this time around and Helewka being credited for his second assist of the game.
The Monsters took advantage of a power play opportunity midway through period as Josh Dunne scored his first goal of the season. It was Christiansen again assisting on the play with Tyler Angle also getting in on the action. With less than four minutes to play Rochester finally got on the scoreboard with a goal Michael Merch, cutting the Cleveland lead down to 3.
Perhaps the most fun goal from a stat line perspective came with just 1:36 left in the game. With the Monsters shorthanded Zach Jordan scored an empty netter to make it 5-1 securing the victory. Thomas Schemitsch was credited with an assist on the play.
It was a stellar start in net for Brad Thiessen as he saved 23 of 24 shots from the Americans on the night.
