Cleveland Monsters (2) at Grand Rapids Griffins (4)
Attendance: 9,037
Starters
Monsters
T.Broadhurst-Camper-A.Broadhurst
Carlsson-Collins
Kivlenieks
Griffins
Lorito-Turgeon-Campbell
Hronek-Lashoff
Coreau
Monsters Lines
T.Broadhurst-Camper-A.Broadhurst
Bittner-Vigneault-Kurker
Thurkauf-Scott-Koules
Gallant-Maletta-MacIntyre
Monsters Pairings
Carlsson-Collins
Gaunce-Siebenaler
Somerby-Cockerill
Goal Recap
A wrister from just inside the blue line by Ben Street put the Griffins on the board 5:49 into the game.
Alex Broadhurst tied the game at one for the Monsters 11 minutes into the first period. Carter Camper passed the puck across the ice to Terry Broadhurst. Then, T. Broadhurst dropped the pass to his brother, Alex, who launched it into the net.
The Griffins took the 2-1 lead with two minutes left in the first period. Matiss Kivlenieks made some incredible saves against Eric Tangradi. He followed him around the crease and to the side of the net covering any possible open space. It was a smart goalie move by Kivlenieks because the Griffins are known for being able to fire off shots from behind the goal line. Unfortunately, none of the Monsters rebounded any of Tangradi’s shots. After the second attempt, Tangradi decided to pass the puck to Filip Hronek who was alone in the opposite faceoff circle. Hronek slammed it home for the goal before Kivlenieks could close up that side of the net.
A little over three minutes into the second period, the Griffins extended their lead over the Monsters to 3-1. Dominic Turgeon fired the puck from the faceoff dot, off of the right side of the crossbar, and into the net behind Kivlenieks.
Eric Tangradi stole the puck from Carter Camper with 1:27 left in the game and fired it into the Monsters’ empty net.
With 33 seconds left in the game, the Monsters cut their deficit in half. Sam Kurker passed the puck to Gabriel Carlsson who launched it from the faceoff dot towards the net. The puck bounced off of Corey Elkins stick and past Jared Coreau.
This was enough to power the Monsters through to the end of the game without giving up another goal.
They finished the game down 4-2 to the Griffins.
But Wait! There’s More
Quick Thoughts
- Both teams started the night with their burners on full force. At points in the beginning of the game, it felt like I was watching a speed skating competition. The Monsters seemed to trail off sometime after Alex Broadhurst’s goal. Once they lost the momentum, they just couldn’t get it back.
- Bobby MacIntyre is a very nimble skater. I’m also loving the way he bounces the puck off the boards and then squeaks under the larger opponents to reconnect with the puck.
- After the Ben Street goal in the first period, Matiss Kivlenieks hugged the post and tried to fill the net with his body. Kivlenieks did not want the Griffins to get any more goals past him.
- As the night went on, the Monsters’ special teams got better. Especially the power play. During their second power play of the night, the Monsters abandoned the pass, pass, pass, game and maintained control of the puck for the bulk of the pp.
- The most frustrating thing about the Monsters is recognizing the amount of potential the Monsters have and seeing them on the cusp of a breakout. Yet, we have been unable to see it come to fruition. /
3 Stars
1st – Jared Coreau (20 shots faced, 18 saves, 58:57 TOI)
2nd – Filip Hronek (1, 0a)
3rd – Dominic Turgeon (1g, 0a, Game Winning Goal)
Game Stats
Captaincy Report
Alex Broadhurst, Carter Camper, and Brett Gallant wore the “A” on their sweaters tonight.
Milestones
Gabriel Carlsson scored his first ever AHL goal in the final 33 seconds of tonight’s game.
Tonight was Garrett Cockerill’s first appearance in a Monsters sweater. He was paired with Doyle Somerby and registered two shots on goal.
What’s Next
The Monsters and Griffins battle each other again in Grand Rapids on January 13th at 7pm est.
They finally return home on Wednesday, January 17th, and Friday, January 19th to take on the Rockford IceHogs.
January 17th is Blue Jackets/College ID Night. The Monsters will wear Jackets themed jersey. With a valid student ID, you can purchase $6 tickets at the box office.
January 19th is Cavaliers Tribute Night. The boys will rock the gold Cavs sweaters. As always, Friday night’s are 1-2-3 Friday. You can buy $1 Pepsi products, $2 Sugardale hot dogs, and $3 select 12-14oz beers.