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Recap: Kivlenieks Leads Monsters to Win Over Roadrunners

Cleveland Monsters (2) at Tucson Roadrunners (1) – Overtime

Attendance: 3,511

Starters

Monsters

Pendenza-Schroeder-A.Broadhurst

Ramage-Gaunce

Kivlenieks

Roadrunners

Merkley-Strome-Crouse

Campbell-Clendening

Hill

Goal Recap

A turnover by Dean Kukan two minutes into the first period gave the Tucson Roadrunners the chance to get on the board first. Conor Garland was able to pass the turnover to Michael Bunting who went top-shelf from the right faceoff circle.

The Monsters tied things up almost five minutes later thanks to a beautiful play by Paul Bittner. Realizing he couldn’t go anywhere with the puck, Bittner doubled back and passed the puck across the ice to an open Brady Austin. Without hesitation, Austin would fire the puck past Adin Hill from the point.

Neither team would score for the next 57 minutes and 13 seconds. That’s right. This game went to overtime.

With a little over a minute to play in overtime, Jordan Schroeder shot just wide of the Roadrunners’ net. Carter Camper was able to scoop up the missed shot and fired it home for the win.

The Monsters beat the Roadrunners, 2-1, in overtime successfully bumping them from first place in the league.

But Wait! There’s More

Quick Thoughts

  • There was a lot of hesitation in the first half of the first period from the Monsters. Especially out of guys like Carter Camper. Once they got their legs under them, you never would have guessed they were playing a late night game.
  • Here’s something you don’t see everyday. Both teams scored on their first shot on goal.
  • Joe Pendenza is an aggressive workhorse this season. He has no problems going toe-to-toe with a guy who has a few extra inches and pounds on him.
  • Terry Broadhurst had a few good looks on net during the game. Look for T. Broadhurst to score a goal during this road trip.
  • Paul Bittner was in beastmode during the game. During the third period, he blocked two pivotal shots in a row. Bittner also spent the game creating great plays. Only one came to fruition.
  • Matiss Kivlenieks kept the Monsters in the game last night. He dug deep into the bag of tricks and let the magical saves fly. I was impressed with Kivlenieks’  split-second reactions and smooth moves across the crease. The defense needs to give him a chance to breathe.  /

3 Stars

1st –  Carter Camper (1g, 0a)

2nd –  Brady Austin (1g, 0a)

3rd –  Michael Bunting (1g, 0a)

Milestones

Andre Benoit played in his 400th AHL game.

Brady Austin’s goal in the first period was his first as a Monsters.

This win was Matiss Kivlenieks first professional win of his career.

Captaincy Report

Andre Benoit and Alex Broadhurst wore the “A” again tonight. While Joe Pendenza donned the “A” for the first time this season.

What’s Next

The Monsters and Roadrunners meet again Saturday night at 10:05 pm est. Don’t forget to take a nap and load up on coffee beforehand.