Preview: Monsters and IceHogs Meet One Final Time
The Cleveland Monsters and Rockford IceHogs meet for the final time in the 2016-17 season.
Cleveland Monsters at Rockford IceHogs
Friday, February 17th, 2017 at 8pm EST
BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, Illinois
Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online
Twitter: @goicehogs, #IceHogs
@MonstersHockey , #CLEMonsters
Cleveland Monsters, 23-19-2-4; 52 points; 4th Central; 8th West
vs
Rockford IceHogs, 18-23-8-3; 45 points; 7th Central; 15th West
The Monsters have climbed their way back into the fourth spot in the central division. To maintain their spot or move up in the standings they must continue to win. Preferably in regulation.
Tonight's game will be full of emotion. This is the last time the two teams play each other during the regular season. Currently, the Monsters have a 4-3 lead in the series.
Although the IceHogs are in 7th place in the Central, they have not been mathematically eliminated yet. There is still some semblance of hope for Rockford. This week they have a bit of help from the Blackhawks as they are on their bye week. Schmaltz and Kero were recalled yesterday. Which isn't that big of a hit to the IceHogs because they didn't play in Wednesday's tilt against the Monsters.
The Monsters are playing with a short bench this week due to multiple injuries and a suspension. The three newest guys on the squad have already stepped up to the challenge. Tonight the Monsters will see how well the puzzle pieces fit together and what's missing to complete the picture.
One thing the Monsters need to do today is scoop up rebounds in their own zone. The IceHogs always seem to be in the right place at the right time after one of their teammates shoots the puck. If at least one Monster plants themselves in front of the blue paint they will be able to take away scoring chances.
| IceHogs | Monsters | |
| 6-2-3-2 | Leading After 1 | 8-2-0-2 |
| 13-0-1-1 | Leading After 2 | 12-2-0-2 |
| 9-9-1-0 | Tied After 1 | 10-8-2-1 |
| 3-2-5-1 | Tied After 2 | 8-4-2-0 |
| 3-12-4-1 | Trailing After 1 | 5-9-0-1 |
| 2-21-2-1 | Trailing After 2 | 3-13-0-2 |
| 16-15-7-2 | Outshooting Opponent | 11-8-1-2 |
| 2-8-1-1 | Outshot by Opponent | 12-11-1-1 |
Season Series
10/14/2016 – IceHogs (1) at Monsters (2) = W - recap
10/15/2016 – IceHogs (1) at Monsters (3) = W - recap
10/23/2016 – Monsters (2) at IceHogs (5) = L - recap
11/23/2016 – Monsters (5) at IceHogs (4) = W -recap
01/18/2017 – IceHogs (1) at Monsters (0) = L - recap
01/20/2017 – IceHogs (0) at Monsters (2) = W - recap
02/15/2017 – Monsters (0) at IceHogs (2) = L - recap
02/17/2017
Stats Matchup
| IceHogs | Monsters | |
| 2.35 (30) | GPG | 2.42 (29) |
| 3.25 (27) | GAPG | 2.63 (6) |
| 15.4% (22) | PP% | 15.4% (23) |
| 78.3% (27) | PK% | 84.3% (5) |
| Abott, Carrick, 11 | G Leader | Oliver Bjorkstrand, 14 |
| Mark McNeill, 21 | A Leader | T.J. Tynan, 21 |
| Spencer Abbott, 29 | P Leader | Bjorkstrand, Tynan, 26 |
| Michael Latta, 92 | PIM Leader | Brett Gallant, 89 |
| 13-8-4-2 | Road/Home | 10-10-0-2 |
| 4-2-4-0 | Last 10 | 5-3-1-1 |
| 4-0-3-0 | Streaks | 0-1-0-1 |