Preview: Monsters Look to Catch a Comet in Utica
Cleveland Monsters at Utica Comets
Friday, October 19th
7pm est
Adirondack Bank Center, Utica, New York
Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online
Twitter: @UticaComets, @Monstershockey
Cleveland Monsters , 3-2-0-0, 6 points, .600 win%, 4th North, 8th East
vs
Utica Comets, 3-3-0-0, 6 points, .500 win%, 5th North, 9th East
Both the Utica Comets and Cleveland Monsters are coming into tonight’s game fresh off a loss. The Comets are notorious for being a gritty team which doesn’t take crap from anyone. So, tonight’s game will probably end up being a real barn burner.
To stay ahead of the curve, Cleveland’s power play needs to play like a power play. During the last two games, the power play looked more like a penalty kill. They were constantly in the d-zone and just couldn’t clear the puck. Tightening up the pp unit is a must for not just tonight’s game but for the rest of the season.
The Monsters must keep an eye on Reid Boucher and Tanner Kero. There is a reason why they are the leaders in multiple categories. The bulk of the Comets’ scoring has come from these two players. Kero is fueled by his demotion to the AHL and won’t let anyone keep him from opening up lanes for guys like Boucher. Speaking of Boucher, the Monsters need to constantly apply pressure on him. Pretty much nothing will stop him from getting into scoring position.
Monsters fans will see a few familiar faces on the ice for the Comets tonight. Former Alternate Captain, Jaime Sifers, and former netminder, Ivan Kulbakov, will be suited up. Hopefully, the Monsters will remember their weaknesses and use them to their advantage.
Season Series
10/19/18 – Monsters @ Comets – Preview – Recap
1/5/19 – Comets @ Monsters – Preview – Recap
1/6/19 – Comets @ Monsters – Preview – Recap
2/17/19 – Monsters @ Comets – Preview – Recap