Chicago Wolves (5) at Cleveland Monsters (1)
Another day, another ugly game for the Cleveland Monsters. Unfortunately, this time the ugliness led to a loss dealt to them by the Chicago Wolves.
“I think both games were equal. We just scored more goals last night and found a way to squeak one out. We’re just having some terrible thoughts out there on the ice when the easy play is right in front of ya.” – Head Coach John Madden
The bright shining moment for the Monsters came in the form of a goal from Sonny Milano almost 12 minutes into the second period. This wasn’t his typical glitz and glam type goal. There was no finesse or or wow factor. Milano simply lofted the puck down the slot and into the net.
Sadly, this was the only goal the Monsters were able to score.
With a minute left in the second, Dylan Coghlan tied the game at one on a breakaway goal. This goal came courtesy of an unfortunate turnover while Sam Vigneault was surrounded by every member of the Wolves who was on the ice at the time.
“Sammy had the puck five feet into the blue line with a minute to go in the second period. Five guys were on him. We were making a line change. We turned it over, they went down, and buried it.” – Head Coach John Madden
Mere moments before the horn blew on the second period Stefan Matteau scooped up a rebounded shot from Nathan Gerbe and sped off down the ice before firing the puck into the net. This goal gave the Wolves the 2-1 lead over the Monsters.
During the second intermission, many of the Monsters were discouraged and down about how things turned out in the last minute of the second period.
“Of course it’s going to be down. Sam felt bad. So did Gerbs. So did everybody on the ice. That’s normal.” – Head Coach John Madden
Despite wanting to atone for their mess of a second period, the Monsters just couldn’t recover from the hole they had dug for themselves.
“We kept playing on our heels and making mistake after mistake.” – Head Coach John Madden.
These mistakes led the Monsters to allow three more goals to be scored before the end of the game.
The first two came at 2:06 and 2:16 of the third courtesy of Brooks Macek and Keegan Kolesar. They basically walked their goals to the net.
After rushing the net, Daniel Carr delivered the final blow to the Monsters with 6:21 left in the game.
At this point there was nothing the Monsters could do to regain the lead. When the horn blew the Wolves were the team on top, 5-1.
The Monsters have a chance at redemption on Saturday at 7pm.
3 Stars
1st – Dylan Coghlan (1g, 1a)
2nd – Zachary Fucale (29 shots faced, 28 saves, 60:00 TOI)
3rd – Stefan Matteau (1g, 0a)
Game Stats
Monsters Lines
Broadhurst-Letestu-Milano
Robinson-Scott-Stenlund
Gerbe-MacInnis-Sherwood
Bittner-Vigneault-Abramov
Monsters Pairings
Cross-Collins
Carlsson-Simpson
Prapavessis-Somerby
What’s Next
The Monsters and Wolves meet again on Saturday, January 24th at 7pm.