Tucson Roadrunners vs Cleveland Monsters
Friday, November 3rd, 2017; 10 pm est
AND
Saturday, November 4th, 2017; 10 pm est
Tucson Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona
Radio: 99x(99.1); 99x Online
Twitter: @RoadrunnersAHL, @Monstershockey
Cleveland Monsters, 4-3-1-0, 9 points, .563 win%, 3rd Central, 6th West
vs
Tucson Roadrunners, 5-1-1-0, 11 points, .786 win%, 1st Pacific, 1st West
Another weekend, another first place team the Cleveland Monsters will try to knock off their throne. Except, this time, the Monsters opponent holds first place in the league. With a win percentage of 78.6%, the Tucson Roadrunners hold first in the Pacific, West, and the AHL. Not a bad start for a squad whose parent team has only one win under their belt this season.
The Monsters can knock the Roadrunners out of first place in the Pacific, West, and AHL by sweeping the weekend. Tucson’s win percentage would drop to 61.1%. If the Roadrunners walk away with one point this weekend, they still drop down to 66.7% wins leading them to get the boot from first in the league.
Depending on how things shake out for other teams this weekend, the Monsters could bounce the Roadrunners from the number one spot in the league by splitting the weekend.
Basically, the Monsters have a shot to take first place from a team who is quite content with where they are placed. Those are always the best games to watch Cleveland play.
I know it’s the beginning of the season and placement doesn’t always predict the playoffs. A team in first place at the start could be in last place at the end. However, it’s fun to play the spoiler.
The Monsters are going to need to do a few things before they can play spoiler though.
Shutting down Dylan Strome should be a high priority. Last weekend he had seven points in three games. Six of those points were assists. Strome is a skilled player who will make sure the puck gets into the net. Even if he’s not the one shooting the puck.
Don’t keep all eyes on Strome. Scoring for the Roadrunners is pretty even across the board. Every single skater has a point this season. This is another team the Monsters will likely have to play man-to-man.
Season Series
11/3/2017
11/4/2017
03/02/2018
03/04/2018
Stats Matchup
Tyler Motte currently leads the Monsters in goals and points but was sent to the Jackets earlier this week.