Monsters Mash: Road Trip Leads to a Fall in Standings

The Monsters ended their road trip on a sour note after dropping the last four games.

The Monsters fell to the Iowa Wild in the first game of the week, 4-2. This loss caused the Wild to hop over the Monsters in the standings. During the game, Alex Petan scored his first goal with the Monsters against his former team.

Next up for the Monsters was a noon-time game against the Chicago Wolves. Markus Hannikainen and T.J. Tynan scored goals to keep the Monsters in the hunt for a win. However, an empty net goal by the Wolves towards the end of the game sealed the deal.

The Monsters then traveled to Charlotte where they would take on the Checkers in back to back games.

They managed to push the first game into overtime. However, overtime only lasted 34 seconds before Charlotte’s Poturalski scored the game winner.

The second game ended with the Monsters falling to the Checkers, 6-1. Jordan Maletta scored the lone goal of the game for the Monsters.

Transactions

At the end of the Jackets’ bye week, Hannikainen was recalled by the Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo and  Anton Forsberg traded spots, as well.

Korpisalo received his first NHL shutout in the Jackets 7-0 win over the Islanders on Saturday.

Rankings

Record: 24-23-3-4, 55 points, .509 win percentage, 6^th Central, 11^th West

Currently, the Monsters and Charlotte Checkers have the exact same win percentage. Charlotte is placed in the number five spot in the division because they have played one less game this season.

The Monsters have a shot at moving up in the rankings. However, it is imperative to end the next few weeks with a winning record.

Team Leaders

Point Scorers

1. T.J. Tynan; 30
2. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sonny Milano;  26
3. Daniel Zaar; 24

Goal Scorers

1. Oliver Bjorkstrand; 14
2. Markus Hannikainen;12
3. Sonny Milano; 11

Assists

1. T.J. Tynan; 23
2. Daniel Zaar; 16
3. Sonny Milano; 15

Penalty Minutes

1. Brett Gallant; 89
2. Oleg Yevenko; 62
3. John Ramage; 49

Weekly Stats

Around the AHL

Leaders

Point Scorers

1. Kenny Agostino; 63
2. Chris Terry; 50
3. Wade Megan; 49

Goal Scorers

1. Wade Megan, Greg Carey; 25
2. Byron Froese; 24
3. Nicklas Jensen; 23

Assists

1. Kenny Agostino; 45
2. Taylor Beck; 35
3. Andy Miele, Chris Mueller; 34

Penalty Minutes

1. Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond; 121
2. Tyler Lewington; 118
3. Bobby Farnham; 115

Goaltenders

1. Zane McIntyre – 1.60 GAA, 15 wins, 28 GA, .946 sav%
2. Jaroslav Halak – 1.91 GAA, 14 wins, 33 GA, .933 sav%
3. Troy Grosenick – 2.04 GAA, 21 wins, 63 GA, .930 sav%

Suspensions

Transactions

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded Jeremy Morin to the Arizona Coyotes for Stefan Fournier.

Philip Samuelsson of the Montreal Canadiens was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Keegan Lower. Samuelsson was sent down to the Charlotte Checkers where he would player under his dad, Ulf Samuelsson, the coach.

The Hurricanes also traded Ron Hainsey to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Danny Kristo.

Grayson Downing was sent from the Minnesota Wild to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Martin Hanzal and Ryan White.

Player Awards

Troy Grosenick of the San Jose Barracudas was named CCM/AHL Player of the week. From February 13^th – 19^th, Grosenick faced 49 shots only allowing one goal. He also received his seventh shutout of the season.

Story Lines

If Troy Bourke’s career in hockey doesn’t pan out, he could rope cattle for a living.

Ivan Barbashev and his wife, Ksenia, may have gotten married young but their love is quite mature.

Bryan Bickell finally returned to the game he loves after his ms diagnosis.

Announcements

The Hershey Bears and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms will face off in an outdoor game during the 2017-18 season. The Bears will host the event as it will be their 80^th anniversary