Monsters Mash: New Year, Who Dis?

Record: 10-17-3-3, 26 points, .394 win%, 7^th Central, 15^th West

The Cleveland Monsters started the year out by playing four games over the course of six days.

Led by the Broadhurst brothers, the Monsters took down the Rockford IceHogs, 4-1, on January 2^nd.  Doyle Somerby shined on the fourth line with Brett Gallant and Jordan Maletta during the game. The versatile defender/forward is slowly making a name for himself on the squad.

The next night the Monsters headed to Chicago to take on the Wolves. Yet again the Broadhurst brothers and Somerby shone brightly. However, the ending of the game was different as they fell to the Wolves, 5-3.

On January 6^th, the Monsters headed back to Rockford where they fell to the IceHogs, 4-3, in the shootout. You might be shocked when at this next sentence. The Broadhurst brothers kept the Monsters in the game. Miles Koules became the Monsters’ leading goal scorer with his second-period goal.

After the game, Cleveland traveled down the road to Des Moines to take on the Iowa Wild on January 7^th. The Monsters were tired and it showed. They just couldn’t get anything cooking and ended up falling to the Wild, 4-1.

Transactions

It was a crazy transactions week for the Monsters/Jackets. Let’s take a quick tour of transaction city. Walk fast to keep up or else you’ll get lost.

Zac Dalpe and Dean Kukan

The Columbus Blue Jackets returned Zac Dalpe and Dean Kukan to the Monsters on January 2^nd after the Monsters beat the IceHogs, 4-1. Kukan was recalled by the Blue Jackets before he could play in Wednesday (Jan 3^rd) night’s game against the Chicago Wolves.

Dalpe played in the Monsters’ 5-3 loss to Chicago notching one goal and one assist. After the game, the Jackets recalled Dalpe.

Both Kukan and Dalpe were returned to the Monsters on January 5^th. They each tallied a point during the Monsters’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Rockford IceHogs on the 6^th. At the end of the game, they were both sent back to Columbus.

Sam Kurker

On January 3^rd, the Monsters signed Sam Kurker to a 25-Game PTO. He started things off on the right foot by scoring two goals in two games.

Kurker came from the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL. In 32 games with the Monarchs this season, Kurker notched 11 goals and 17 assists.

Matiss Kivlenieks and Joonas Korpisalo

Matiss Kivlenieks and Joonas Korpisalo switched spots on January 5^th. Normally, this is strictly a paper move for Kivlenieks. This time he spent the day in Columbus working with the Jackets.

Korpisalo played in the Monsters’ shootout loss to the IceHogs on the 6^th stopping 37 of 40 shots.

After the game, Korpisalo and Kivlenieks went back to their normal teams.

Kivlenieks made it to Des Moines in time to play against the Iowa Wild on January 7^th. He stopped 32 of 35 shots in the Monsters’ 4-1 loss.

Rankings

Currently, the Monsters sit at the bottom of the AHL. The tendency in this situation, as a player and fan, is to panic. However, both the Monsters and their fans need to remain calm. Right now their saving grace is the fact they have played 3-5 fewer games than the rest of the Central. With the exception of the Manitoba Moose, it’s a tight race between all division members.

Team Leaders

Point Scorers

1. Carter Camper; 22
2. Miles Koules, Alex Broadhurst; 14
3. Dean Kukan; 13

Goal Scorers

1. Miles Koules; 8
2. Carter Camper; 7
3. Sam Vigneault, Alex Broadhurst, Paul Bittner; 6

Assists

1. Carter Camper; 15
2. Dean Kukan; 12
3. Cameron Gaunce; 9

Penalty Minutes

1. Brett Gallant; 53
2. John Ramage; 35
3. Cameron Gaunce; 33

Weekly Stats

Around the AHL

Leaders

Point Scorers

1. Chris Terry, Chris Bourque; 40
2. Phil Varone; 38
3. Tanner Fritz, Travis Morin; 35

Goal Scorers

1. Valentin Zykov; 19
2. Chris Terry, Curtis McKenzie; 18

Assists

1. Travis Morin; 30
2. Chris Bourque; 29
3. Phil Varone; 28

Penalty Minutes

1. Ross Johnston; 111
2. Tyler Lewington; 94
3. Alex Gallant; 89

Goaltenders

1. Jordan Binnington; 1.55 GAA, 10 wins, 19 GA, .940 sav%
2. Garret Sparks; 1.83 GAA, 14 wins, 37 GA, .937 sav%
3. Michael Hutchinson; 1.89 GAA, 36 GA

Awards

Mike Amadio (Ontario Reign), Daniel Sprong (WBS Penguins), and Michael Hutchinson (Manitoba Moose) were named December’s “AHL Players of the Month”.

After tallying seven points in three games last week, Kalle Kossila (San Diego Gulls) was named “CCM/AHL Player of the Week”.

Story Lines

Bobby Butler (Milwaukee Admirals) was named to the 2018 Olympic Roster. Check out this heartwarming moment when he told his dad the good news.

Speaking of the Admirals, Pierre-Cedric Labrie just became a father and the Grand Rapids Griffins’ backup netminder, Tom McCollum, helped him get there in time. Read the story here.

The AHL All-Star Classic roster was announced this week. Dean Kukan is the lone representative of the Monsters this year. See the whole roster here.

Around the SB Nation Cleveland Sports Horn

Well, guys, it happened. The Cleveland Browns finally had a perfect season. By perfect I mean they lost every single game this season. Check out some scenes from the “Perfect Season Parade” over at Dawgs By Nature.