The Cleveland Monsters had a bit of an interesting week.
They dropped two games to the Charlotte Checkers who sat at last place in the division going into the weekend. The first game ended in a shootout. The Monsters gave up five unanswered goals in the second game. Yes, I said five unanswered goals.
Forsberg was called up to backup Bobrovsky after McElhinney was put on waivers. Bobrovsky became ill and Korpisalo was called up to back up Forsberg.
Forsberg allowed five goals in the Blue Jackets game against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 10th. Believing Bobrovsky was better, the Jackets sent Forsberg back to Cleveland. Bobrovsky wasn’t better. Korpisalo took over for Bobrovsky and Forsberg was recalled to be backup.
After the Jackets’ melt down Saturday, Forsberg was sent back to Cleveland.
Amidst the revolving goalie situation, the Monsters signed two players from the ECHL to PTO contracts.
Joining the team are winger Shawn Szydlowski and much-needed goaltender, Steven Summerhays.
Rankings
The Monsters sit at the number four spot in the Central division with 38 points and a win percentage of 54.3%. If the playoffs started today, the Monsters would be in it to win it.
It’s not the end of the season. There are still a few months to go in the season. If the Monsters are not careful the Iowa Wild (39 points, 50% win) could leapfrog them in the standings.
Luckily, the Monsters are playing the Rockford IceHogs in Cleveland this week. The IceHogs are last in the division with 30 points and a win percentage of 39.5%. They also have a road record of 3-13-1-1.
My guess is next week I will be telling you the Monsters are still sitting at the number four spot.
Team Leaders
Point Scorers
1st – Tj Tynan, 23 points
2nd – Alex Broadhurst, Daniel Zaar, Sonny Milano; 20
3rd – Oliver Bjorkstrand; 17
Goal Scorers
1st – Oliver Bjorkstrand; 11
2nd – Sonny Milano; 9
3rd – Daniel Zaar; 8
Assists
1st – TJ Tynan; 19
2nd – Alex Broadhurst; 13
3rd – Daniel Zaar; 12
Penalty Minutes
1st – Brett Gallant; 53
2nd – Oleg Yevenko; 45
3rd – Jordan Maletta; 37
Meet me back here next week for more Monsters and AHL news. As well as, updates on youth, high school, and college hockey in the Akron/Cleveland area.