Cleveland Monsters at Iowa Wild
Sunday, January 7th, 2017
6 pm est
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, Iowa
Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online
Twitter: @IAWild, @Monstershockey
Cleveland Monsters; 10-16-3-3, 26 points, .406 win%, 7th Central, 15th West
vs
Iowa Wild; 15-12-6-3, 39 points, .542 win%,5th Central, 10th West
The Cleveland Monsters and Iowa Wild meet for the fifth time this season. Iowa has come out on top in three of their first four meetings.
Tonight’s game will be the last of the Wild’s back-to-back-to-back weekend series against three different teams. They will either be tired to start the game or riding the high of last night’s win over the Milwaukee Admirals. Regardless of what Wild team shows up, the Monsters need to come out with a fire in their bellies and maintain positive momentum throughout the bulk of the game. Especially since the Wild have yet to win a game this season when trailing their opponent after two periods of play.
The Monsters need to keep an eye on the usual suspects of Sam Anas, Pat Cannone, and Cal O’Reilly. As well as, Luke Kunin who has been doing quite well since his AHL All-Star Classic nod.
Did you get used to seeing Dean Kukan, Zac Dalpe, and Joonas Korpisalo in the lineup? Sorry, they are headed back to Columbus for this evening’s Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers game. After spending a day with the Jackets, Matiss Kivlenieks will be back in the Monsters lineup. I don’t foresee him starting in tonight’s game against the Wild. Look for Ivan Kulbakov to get the start in net.
With Dalpe back in Columbus, someone will need to center the Broadhurst brothers. Calvin Thurkauf played well with them in Tuesday’s game against the Rockford IceHogs. He has the speed and acumen to play with them.
Season Series
11/11/2017 – Monsters (1) at Wild (6) – Preview – Recap
11/12/2017 – Monsters (2) at Wild (3) – SO – Preview – Recap
12/18/2017 – Wild (3) at Monsters (0) – Preview – Recap
12/20/2017 – Wild (4) at Monsters (5) – OT – Preview – Recap
01/07/2018
01/25/2018
01/27/2018
04/03/2018