Monsters Mash: Down to the Wire

On Thursday, the Manitoba Moose and Cleveland Monsters began their final series against each other. The Checkers would maintain a two-goal lead until the second period when the Monsters scored four goals in the second period. The Monsters would win 5-4 thanks to a quick thinking Sam Vigneault who was able to get the puck to Markus Hannikainen at the right time.

The next night tempers flared between the two teams. There were multiple fights and a line brawl which spilled off the ice and into the benches. The Moose scored the lone goal of the game.

Neither of these games would decide the Monsters fate. It all came down to the Charlotte Checkers vs the Chicago Wolves. The Monsters needed the Wolves to win in regulation to move onto the playoffs. The Checkers came out swinging and held the lead most of the game. The Wolves would be the one to push the game to overtime.

The Monsters saw 21 overtimes this season and it was an overtime game which put the 2016-17 season to bed for Cleveland.

Final Record: 39-29-4-4, 86 points, .566 win%, 5^th Central, 9^th West

Team Leaders

Point Scorers

1. Sonny Milano, 47
2. TJ Tynan, 41
3. Markus Hannikainen, 37

Goal Scorers

1. Markus Hannikainen, 19
2. Sonny Milano, 18
3. Justin Scott, 13

Assists

1. TJ Tynan, Sonny Milano, 29
2. Dean Kukan, 25
3. Daniel Zaar, 23

Penalty Minutes

1. Brett Gallant, 128
2. Oleg Yevenko, 90
3. Jaime Sifers, 74

Weekly Stats

Shots For	59
Shots Against	66
Goals For	5
Goals Against	5
Penalties/Minutes	15/36 minutes
Penalty Kill	2 for 4
Power Play	3 for 12

	Forsberg
Games Played	2
Record	1-1-0-0
Shots Faced	66
Saves	61
Time On Ice	118:15:00

Around the AHL

Leaders

Point Scorers

1. Kenny Agostino, 83
2. Chris Terry, 68
3. Chris Mueller, 67

Goal Scorers

1. Wade Megan, 33
2. Nicklas Jensen, 32
3. Rocco Grimaldi, Pontus Aberg, 31

Assists

1. Kenny Agostino, 59
2. Christ Mueller, 48
3. Taylor Beck, Travis Boyd, 47

Penalty Minutes

1. Mike Liambis, 149
2. Stu Bickel, 148
3. Scott Sabourin, Sena Acolatse, 147

Goaltenders

1. Casey DeSmith – 2.01 GAA, 21  Wins, 58 GA, .926 sav%
2. Zane McIntyre – 2.03 GAA, 21  Wins, 60 GA, .930 sav%
3. Troy Grosenick – 2.04 GAA, 30  Wins, 93 GA, 0.926

Suspensions

Zack Stortini of the San Jose Barracudas was suspended for two games after aggressively kneeing an opponent on April 8^th.

Dan Renouf received a one-game suspension after receiving his third game misconduct in the “general” category this season.

Player Awards

The Yanick Dupre Memorial Award was given to A.J. Greer of the San Antonio Rampage.

After leading a young San Jose Barracudas team to an incredible record of 43-16-2-5, Roy Sommer was awarded the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award for outstanding coaching.

The Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award was given to Daniel O'Regan of the San Jose Barracudas. This award is given out to the 2016-17 AHL rookie who stood out the most.

Kenny Agostino of the Chicago Wolves earned the AHL MVP award. At the time the award was given out, he had a totally of 83 points in 65 games. Agostino also earned the John B Sollenberger Trophy for being the leading scorer in the AHL.

The Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award was given to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goalie tandem, Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith.

With 33 goals this season, Wade Megan of the Chicago Wolves was awarded the Willie Marshall Award.