Grand Rapids Griffins at Cleveland Monsters
Tuesday, February 28th at 7pm est
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online
Twitter: @griffinshockey, #GoGRG
@MonstersHockey , #CLEMonsters
Cleveland Monsters, 24-23-3-4, 55 points, 6th Central, 11th West
vs
Grand Rapids Griffins, 35-15-1-2, 73 points, 1st Central, 2nd West
The Monsters look to end their four game lose streak tonight against the number one team in the division and their rival, the Grand Rapids Griffins. A win will not come easy for the Monsters as the Griffins have won seven of their last ten games. However, the Monsters have won four of the last five meetings between the two.
Two of the best Monsters, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Markus Hannikainen, are still in Columbus playing for the Blue Jackets. While losing two of your top ten players would be cause for concern, the Monsters have a group of new guys who have brought a lot to the table since being signed to PTOs earlier this month. Alex Petan, Akim Aliu, Kyle Thomas, and Joe Devin have all brought something special to the table.
On top of that, Blake Siebenaler has been excelling as a fourth line winger while the Monsters deal with some key injuries. Zac Dalpe was claimed by the Jackets off of waivers yesterday and was immediately assigned to the Monsters. I would look for Dalpe to play tonight giving Siebenaler the chance to go back to his original position of defender.
The Griffins made a few roster moves this past week. Goaltender, Jared Coreau and Forward, Drew Miller were recalled by the Red Wings on Monday. While Dylan Sadowy (forward), Mike Borkowski (forward), and Cal Heeter (goaltender) were all recalled from their ECHL affiliate,the Toledo Walleye.
The Monsters need to take command of the game from the beginning and keep the energy high for the entire game.
The Griffins have the number one power play in the league. So, the Monsters will have to keep their penalties to a minimum. Basically, if they take a penalty, it better count for something. Whether it be a momentum change or to prevent a goal from happening.
| Griffins | Monsters | |
| 25-1-0-0 | Leading After 1 | 8-2-1-2 |
| 27-1-1-0 | Leading After 2 | 12-2-0-2 |
| 6-6-1-1 | Tied After 1 | 11-8-2-1 |
| 5-0-0-0 | Tied After 2 | 9-5-3-0 |
| 4-8-0-1 | Trailing After 1 | 5-13-0-1 |
| 3-14-0-2 | Trailing After 2 | 3-16-0-2 |
| 22-9-0-2 | Outshooting Opponent | 11-9-1-2 |
| 12-5-1-0 | Outshot by Opponent | 13-4-2-1 |
Season Series
10/22/2016 – Monsters (2) @ Griffins (3) = L – recap
11/9/2016 – Monsters (4) @ Griffins (5) = L (SO) – recap
11/25/2016 – Monsters (3) @ Griffins (5) = L – recap
11/26/2016 – Monsters (2) @ Griffins (6) = L – recap
11/30/2016 – Griffins (2) @ Monsters (3) = W (SO) – recap
12/02/2016 – Griffins (2) @ Monsters (3) = W (OT) – recap
12/28/2016 – Griffins (3) @ Monsters (2) = L – recap
12/30/2016 – Griffins (0) @ Monsters (4) = W – recap
01/21/2017 – Monsters (0) @ Griffings (5) = W – recap
02/28/2017
04/08/2017
04/09/2017
Stats Matchup
| Griffins | Monsters | |
| 3.53 (3) | GPG | 2.37 (29) |
| 2.42 (2) | GAPG | 2.76 (11) |
| 27.9% (1) | PP% | 14.0% (29) |
| 82.4% (11) | PK% | 84.8% (5) |
| Martin Frk; 20 | G Leader | Oliver Bjorkstrand; 14 |
| Matt Lorito; 28 | A Leader | T.J. Tynan; 23 |
| Matt Lorito; 44 | P Leader | T.J.Tynan; 30 |
| Frk, Svechnikov; 50 | PIM Leader | Brett Gallant; 89 |
| 14-7-1-0 | Road/Home | 13-9-2-2 |
| 7-3-0-0 | Last 10 | 3-5-1-1 |
| 1-0-0-0 | Streaks | 0-3-1-0 |