Grand Rapids Griffins (6) at Cleveland Monsters (3)
Attendance: 8,133
Starters
Monsters
T.Broadhurst-Dalpe-A.Broadhurst
Austin-Cockerill
Zatkoff
Griffins
Lorito-Turgeon-Campbell
McIlrath-Hicketts
Coreau
Monsters Lines
T.Broadhurst-Dalpe-A.Broadhurst
Motte-Camper-Schroeder
Scott-Vigneault-Gerbe
Gallant-Thurkauf-Kurker
Monsters Pairings
Austin-Cockerill
Somerby-Collins
Gaunce-Siebenaler
Goal Recap
The Grand Rapids Griffins were the first to strike 6:16 seconds into the game.
Dominik Shine fired a shot directly into Zatkoff’s pads. Zach Nastasiuk grabbed the rebound and pushed it over to Robbie Russo who fired it home for the goal.
The Cleveland Monsters tied the game with 3:41 left in the first period.
After receiving a pass up the boards from Carter Camper, Zac Dalpe fired off a shot from below the blue line into the back of the net.
The Griffins reclaimed the lead a little under five minutes into the second period.
Turner Elson launched a shot from between the tops of both faceoff circles into the net.
Two and half minute later, Eric Tangradi picked up his own rebound to give Grand Rapids the 3-1 lead over Cleveland.
The Monsters cut the Griffins lead to 3-1 with 10:16 to play in the second.
Jordan Schroeder fired the puck towards Jared Coreau. It flew just shy of the net and bounced off the boards. Tyler Motte scooped it up and fired it home for the goal.
With 12:08 to go in the second period, Matt Puempel extended the Griffins’ lead to 4-2 after firing a shot from the right faceoff dot.
Ben Street made it 5-2 a few minutes later. There was a lot of traffic in the crease allowing Street to sneak the puck past Jeff Zatkoff.
Blake Siebenaler one timed a pass from Cameron Gaunce into the net 6:06 into the third period. The blue line goal put the Monsters within two of the Griffins, 5-3.
With 4:11 left in the game, the Griffins scored their sixth and final goal of the afternoon.
Tangradi patiently stood in the crease waiting for Hronek to pass him the puck. Not long after receiving the puck, Tangradi fired it into the net.
But Wait! There’s More
Quick Thoughts
- Coach Madden rolled out a new power play unit tonight to complement the Dalpe line. The unit consisted of Justin Scott, Jordan Schroeder, Garret Cockerill, Tyler Motte, and Sam Vigneault. They played quite well and allowed the first unit a chance to catch their breath. /
“I thought we did a good job tonight. Obviously if we had gotten that 5-on-3 goal it would have made things more interesting but it’s a work in progress. We’ve made some strides and we will continue to do so.” – Head Coach John Madden
- The Monsters need to start taking ownership of the crease. Half of the Griffins’ goals came from inside the crease. /
“It starts early with an early box out. Rather than left them get to the crease and have to move them. It’s better off you start boxing them out early. It buys you some time.” – Head Coach John Madden
3 Stars
1st – Eric Tangradi (2g, 1a)
2nd – Matt Puempel (1g, 2a)
3rd – Ben Street (1g, 1a)
Game Stats
Captaincy Report
Alex Broadhurst, Brett Gallant, and Carter Camper wore the “A” on their sweaters tonight.
Milestones
Camper’s assist on Dalpe’s goal was his 300th career AHL point.
What’s Next
The Monsters have a few days off before their weekend series against the Manitoba Moose on Feb 9th and 11th.
Friday, February 9th’s game starts at 7pm. It’s “Hockey with Heart”, Mascot Night, and 1-2-3 Friday.
There is a 3 pm start on Sunday, February 11th. The first 2,500 kids will receive a Sully Toothbrush Holder and a Castaway Bay Kids Day Pass.
There will also be a postgame skate and full team autograph session.
Then they travel to Illinois to play the Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Wolves from the 13th-18th.