Tag Archives: Rockford IceHogs

Monsters fall short 3-2 in Rockford

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The Cleveland Monsters were unable to defeat the Rockford IceHogs for the second straight game.

It was the second of the two rescheduled games between the Cleveland Monsters and Rockford IceHogs after they were postponed earlier this season. While the Monsters came away with a easy victory on Monday, the same did not apply to Tuesday’s matchup as Cleveland lost 3-2.

The scoring started in the 2nd period after a scoreless 1st. Tyler Sikura got his first goal of the season while taking on his former club. Nathan Gerbe and Dillon Simpson were both credited with their third assist of the season on the goal. Rockford would tie things up later in the period on an Evan Barratt goal.

Nearly midway through the 3rd period the Monsters again took the lead. This time it was Evan Polei scoring his first goal of the season with Justin Scott assisting. Like Cleveland’s lead in the 2nd, this lead would not last. The IceHogs scored twice over the final four minutes as they ended up sending the Monsters home with a loss.

Veini Vehvilainen got the start in goal for the first time this season and made 21 saves on 24 shots, a 0.875 save percentage. Cleveland will be looking for Vehvilainen to improve in this department as the season progresses.

Cleveland was 1 for 3 on the power play, the aforementioned Sikura goal being their only conversion with an advantage. The Monsters had two penalties on the evening, Trey Fix-Wolansky was called for tripping in the 1st and Thomas Schemitsch got into a fight late in the 3rd and received a 5 minute penalty.

The Monsters return home this weekend and host the IceHogs for two games beginning Saturday.

Monsters-Icehogs games postponed

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The Cleveland Monsters were supposed to kick off their season against the Rockford IceHogs, but those games have been postponed.

A little bit more waiting will be required in regards to when the Cleveland Monsters return to the ice. Cleveland’s upcoming two game series with the Rockford IceHogs has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.

The AHL statement reads as the following.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced that due to league COVID-19 protocols affecting the Cleveland Monsters, the team will be unable to travel to Rockford for their games Friday and Saturday.

The AHL’s announcement that the Cleveland Monsters are unable to travel to Rockford.

The Chicago Wolves are taking Cleveland’s place on Saturday.

The Monsters are scheduled to have their home opener next weekend when they host the Rochester Americans and Grand Rapids Griffins Friday and Saturday.

Monsters begin brutal 3,3,3 stretch

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This is as brutal as brutal can get. The Cleveland Monsters are about to begin a stretch of three road games, in three days, in three different cities. Cleveland travels to Grand Rapids, Rockford, and Chicago while having Columbus pluck players from their roster along the way. The Blue Jackets are unable to turn to Liam Foudy this weekend due to their NHL-CHL agreement.

This means the Monsters are likely going to provide Columbus with options during their upcoming road trip, providing less options for Mike Eaves to turn to. 

Grand Rapids 

First stop, Grand Rapids to take on the Griffins. Cleveland absolutely dominated Grand Rapids at home Tuesday in a 6-2 win. The Griffins will without a doubt be seeking revenge. The Monsters will need to do everything they can to avoid falling in a similar fashion that the Griffins did while at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. 

Rockford 

Cleveland has faced Rockford three times this season, winning all three matchups.  The Monsters have outscored the IceHogs 15-3 in their three previous games. The only game decided by one goal was December 21st’s matchup in Rockford. 

Rockford has 51 points on the season, which puts themselves in 5th place in the AHL’s Central Division. The IceHogs have a negative goal differential this season (-24). Rockford has scored four fewer goals this season while giving up 12 more.

Considering their previous matchups with Rockford and their negative goal differential, Cleveland has quite the opportunity in front of them. It is possible they come away with their fourth straight win against Rockford. Although, the IceHogs could be due for a win and come out victorious against the Monsters. 

Chicago 

Cleveland has faced Chicago twice this season, both being wins at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Monsters scored twice as much as the Wolves in those two games (8-4). 

The Wolves have 53 points this season and have given up 11 more goals than they have scored this season. Defense is the name of the game for Chicago. The Wolves have only scored 128 goals this year while surrendering 139. This is the second-fewest amount of goals given up in the division. The only team that has given up less is Milwaukee with 116. 

The fact that Chicago is not necessarily the best offense may help a Cleveland team that is prone to giving up goals in bunches. The fact they face teams who have scored fewer goals in each subsequent game in this three day stretch could prove to beneficial when exhaustion inevitably shows up Sunday in Chicago.