Syracuse Crunch at Cleveland Monsters
Friday, November 30th – 7pm est (This game is being broadcast on Facebook Watch. Here)
AND
Saturday, December 1st – 1pm est (This game will be broadcast on Sports Time Ohio)
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online
Twitter: @TorontoMarlies , @Monstershockey
Cleveland Monsters , 10-7-3-0, 23 points, .575 win%, 3rd North, 6th East
vs
Syracuse Crunch, 11-5-1-0, 23 points, .676 win%, 2nd North, 5th East
The Syracuse Crunch are streaking into Cleveland this weekend to take on the Monsters. They currently boast a record of 9-0-1-0 over the past 10 games.
Cleveland must maintain control of the game at all costs. Syracuse is undefeated when leading. As well as, almost undefeated when tied. However, when Syracuse is trailing their opponent after two period, they have a record of 0-5-1-0.
If the Monsters can maintain control of the game from the moment the puck drops, they will be able to end the Crunch’s 10-game point-streak.
Player to Watch
Cory Conacher is on fire this season. Essentially, he is a better version of Toronto Marlies forward, Mason Marchment. Which means Conacher should never be left unattended. The Monsters best defenders need to be on him at all times.
Monsters Bench
Nathan Gerbe is quietly putting together an incredible season. If the Monsters can keep feeding him the puck, Gerbe will find a way to get it to the back of the net.
Gabriel Carlsson and Tommy Cross have been separated the past few games. They occasionally reunite throughout the game and it is glorious. This weekend would be a good time to reunite the two. One can focus on shutting down Conacher. While the other, can focus on protecting the goalie.
Until Cleveland can tighten up their special teams, they need to keep their penalties to a minimum.
The Other Bench
The Syracuse Crunch have the best power play in the league right now. They will sense any sort of breakdown on the penalty kill and capitalize on it.
Andy Andreoff is another player the Monsters should keep an eye on. He, like Conacher, likes to slip away from the crowd and find open lanes. Part of what makes him so deadly is Andreoff’s aggressive style of play. He’s not afraid to slam someone against the glass to create a turnover.
Season Series
11/30/18 – Crunch at Monsters – preview – recap
12/01/18 – Crunch at Monsters – preview – recap
01/11/19 – Monsters at Crunch – preview – recap
02/02/19 – Monsters at Crunch – preview – recap