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Preview: Monsters, Heat Meet for First Time in History

Stockton Heat at Cleveland Monsters

Wednesday, February 21st, 2018

7pm est

Quicken Loans Arena

Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online

Twitter: @AHLHeat , @Monstershockey

Cleveland Monsters, 17-27-4-3, 41 points, .402 win%, 7th Central, 15th West

vs

Stockton Heat, 24-17-2-3, 53 points, .576 win%, 3rd Pacific, 7th West

No matter how tonight shakes out the Cleveland Monsters and Stockton Heat will be one for the books. Tonight’s tilt will be the first time in history the two squads meet.

The Heat have gone 5-5-0-0 in their last ten games. While the Monsters have gone 4-6-0-0 in their last ten. Even better the Monsters have won three of their last five games. They are finally starting to gel as a team. Madden has been rolling all four lines rather consistently.

The loss of Zac Dalpe to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Justin Scott to an injury will be felt. As of late, Scott has centered the Broadhurst brothers when Dalpe is unavailable for play. If Scott isn’t ready to go come puck drop tonight, it would be a good idea for the Monsters to move Maletta back to center or move Doyle Somerby from defender to winger.

Cleveland must shut down Andrew Mangiapane, Rasmus Andersson, and Tyler Wotherspoon every chance they get. Those three are play maker extraordinaires. The worst thing the Monsters could do is forget about Spencer Foo. He’s a bit sneaky. Foo has the ability to slip in and out of traffic without being noticed.

Both teams are evenly matched in the special teams area. So, the Monsters will have to play a tight, clean game on and off even strength.

Matiss Kivlenieks has been a solid goaltender for the Monsters. Look for him to start in net against the Heat.

Season Series

02/21/2018

02/23/2018

03/11/2018

03/28/2018

Stats Matchup

On This Date

The Monsters have a record of 2-1-0-1 on February 21st.

They have outscored their opponents 14-8.

David Van der Gulik and Bill Thomas have the most most with four.