Preview: Cleveland, Manitoba End Regular Season in a Back-to-Back Battle
Manitoba Moose at Cleveland Monsters
Thursday, April 13th at 7pm est
AND
Friday, April 14th at 7pm est
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online
Television: WUAB 43
Twitter: @ManitobaMoose , #GoMooseGo , #MBMoose
@MonstersHockey , #CLEMonsters
Cleveland Monsters, 38-28-4-4, 84 points, .568 win%, 5th Central, 8th West
vs
Manitoba Moose, 28-36-5-5, 66 points, .446 win%, 7th Central, 14th West
I'm going to start this preview out by reminding everyone just how important winning this series is for the Monsters.
With last night's shootout win against the Checkers, the Griffins have secured home ice advantage. However, they gave up a point to the Checkers tying them with the Monsters. If both the Monsters and Checkers lose their final two games, the Checkers will be in the playoffs. They hold the tie breaker.
There are four scenarios in which the Monsters can clinch that final playoff spot.
- Cleveland wins their final two games. Charlotte has one regulation win and one overtime/regulation loss.
- Cleveland wins one game and has an overtime loss. Charlotte wins one in regulation and has one regulation loss or two overtime losses.
- Cleveland wins one in regulation or has two overtime losses. Charlote has one overtime/regulation loss.
- Cleveland loses in overtime. Charlotte loses their final two games.
It's nice to know going into the final stretch of the regular season the Monsters have many routes to get to the 2016-17 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Now we head to the important question. What do the Monsters need to do to sweep the Manitoba Moose?
Don't Take the Moose Lightly
The Monsters and Moose currently have a record of three wins each in this series. The last three meetings were pushed to a shootout. The good thing is, the Monsters were the ones who forced the extra stanzas. The bad news is, the Moose tend to play solid hockey in overtime against the Monsters.
The Moose don't want to end the season on a high note. Plus, they now have the chance to keep the reigning Calder Cup Champions out of the playoffs. Expect them to play a hard game and capitalize on every mistake the Monsters make.
Keep One eye on Roslovic, One eye on Connor
Jack Roslovic and Kyle Connor are dangerous. They love to create plays and score goals. Plus, Roslovic will want to showoff in his home state. If the Monsters can shut both of them down, the road will be a bit easier.
Important note for those attending the game:
The Cleveland Indians are playing on both Thursday and Friday. Thursday's game is at 6:10pm est. Friday's game is at 7:10pm est.
Parking WILL BE sparse. Plan accordingly to make your trip to the game easier.
| Moose | Monsters | |
| 14-4-1-0 | Leading After 1 | 12-2-1-2 |
| 23-1-1-1 | Leading After 2 | 21-2-0-2 |
| 10-14-4-5 | Tied After 1 | 17-10-3-1 |
| 2-8-4-4 | Tied After 2 | 13-5-3-0 |
| 4-18-0-0 | Trailing After 1 | 9-16-0-1 |
| 3-27-0-0 | Trailing After 2 | 4-21-1-2 |
| 10-16-3-4 | Outshooting Opponent | 17-10-2-2 |
| 18-20-2-1 | Outshot by Opponent | 21-18-2-1 |
Season Series
11/03/2016 – Cleveland (3) at Manitoba (7) = L - recap
11/05/2016 – Cleveland (2) at Manitoba (5) = L – recap
12/09/2016 – Cleveland (5) at Manitoba (1) = W – recap
12/10/2016 – Cleveland (2) at Manitoba (1) = W (SO) – recap
02/10/2017 – Manitoba (2) at Cleveland (3) = W (SO) – recap
02/12/2017 – Manitoba (2) at Cleveland (1) = L (SO) – recap
04/13/2017
04/14/2017
Stats Matchup
| Moose | Monsters | |
| 2.59 (22) | GPG | 2.57 (23) |
| 3.20 (26) | GAPG | 2.61 (7) |
| 18.4% (13) | PP% | 16.1% (21) |
| 77.3% (29) | PK% | 86.2% (3) |
| Kyle Connor, 23 | G Leader | Hannikainen, Milan, 18 |
| Jack Roslovic, 34 | A Leader | TJ Tynan, 29 |
| Jack Roslovic, 47 | P Leader | Sonny Milano, 46 |
| JC Lipon, 125 | PIM Leader | Brett Gallant, 128 |
| 13-19-2-2 | Road/Home | 21-11-2-2 |
| 5-4-1-0 | Last 10 | 8-1-1-0 |
| 3-0-1-0 | Streaks | 5-0-1-0 |