Cleveland Monsters (0) at Laval Rocket (1)
The Laval Rocket were able to skate away with a win over the Cleveland Monsters thanks to their goaltender, Michael McNiven and one goal scorer, Alex Belzile. If the Monsters had been able to crack his code, there is no doubt in my mind they would have been the winners of tonight’s contest.
This was the first full 60 minutes the Monsters have played in quite some time. Almost every player was full of energy and channeled it into something good. Half the team barreled down the ice to attack the net, Multiple players stuck around to scoop up rebounds, and much of the defense sat back in case the forwards couldn’t pick up the initial rebound. These are the kind of things Coach Madden has been trying to get the Monsters to do all season.
The Monsters’ special teams looked fantastic tonight.
Mark Letestu and Zac Dalpe went on a shot firing frenzy every time they were on the power play. While Adam Clendening set up a slew of smart yet beautiful plays for teammates.
Kole Sherwood shined with his two one-timers during the Monsters penalty kill in the third period. He’s quickly becoming one of the better killers on the team.
Despite all the great things the Monsters did tonight, McNivens was the one roadblock they just couldn’t get past. If the Monsters can just crack McNiven’s code, they will be able to take down the Rocket tomorrow.
3 Stars
1st – Michael McNiven (38 saves, 38 shots faced, 59:30 TOI)
2nd – Maxim Lamarche (0g, 1a)
3rd – Alex Broadhurst (0g, 0a)
Game Stats
Monsters Lines
Broadhurst-Letestu-DeSalvo
Robinson-Dalpe-Sherwood
Vigneault-Scott-Abramov
Gallant-MacInnis-Fortier
Monsters Pairings
Cross-Collins
Carlsson-Clendening
Prapavessis-Somerby
What’s Next
The Monsters and Rocket meet again Saturday, January 19th at 3pm. This marks the end of a five-game road trip for the Monsters.
They return home on Wednesday, January 23rd at 7pm to take on the Toronto Marlies