Cleveland Monsters (3) at Chicago Wolves (5)
Attendance: 4238
Starters
Monsters
T.Broadhurst-Dalpe-A.Broadhurst
Carlsson-Ramage
Kivlenieks
Wolves
MacEachern-Tynan-Thompson
Bischoff-Garrison
Lagace
Monsters Lines
A.Broadhurst-Dalpe-T.Broadhurst
Bittner-Camper-Koules
Thurkauf-Scott-Hodgson
Somerby-Maletta-Kurker
Monsters Pairings
Austin-Siebenaler
Benoit-Gaunce
Carlsson-Ramage
Goal Recap
The Cleveland Monsters were hoping to use the excitement of last night’s win to propel them over the Chicago Wolves tonight.
They came close but in the end fell to the Wolves, 5-3.
Tomas Hyka started things off for the Wolves 1:26 into the first period. Jake Walman launched a shot from the blueline which Hyka tipped into the net.
A little over two minutes later, Tomas Hyka saw Beau Bennett open at the left faceoff dot and passed him the puck. Bennett proceeded to one time the puck top-shelf to give Chicago the 2-0 lead over Cleveland.
TJ Tynan and the Wolves came out swinging in the second period. 47 seconds into the period, Tynan sniped the puck from the top of the faceoff circle off the right post into the net.
After the Wolves’ third goal, Coach Madden sent Ivan Kulbakov in to relieve Matiss Kivlenieks. This change ignited a fire in the Monsters’ bellies. They would score three straight goals to keep themselves in the game.
A little under four minutes into the second period, Gabriel Carlsson fed Terry Broadhurst the puck. Broadhurst one timed it down the center of the ice into the back of the net to put the Monsters on the board.
An incredible screen by the Monsters 15:24 into the second period allowed Zac Dalpe to launch the puck into the net. Maxime Lagace didn’t even see the puck coming thanks to Calvin Thurkauf blocking his view.
The Monsters tied things up 2:24 into the third period. Doyle Somerby picked the puck up at the right faceoff dot. He then skated around the back of the net and tangled with two of the Wolves. Somehow Somerby managed to hold onto the puck long enough to feed it to Sam Kurker who poked it home for the goal.
Two and a half minutes later, the Wolves regained the lead. Bryce Gervais stole the puck from behind the net, skated through the crease, and lightly backhanded it through Kulbakov’s five-hole.
With five minutes left in the game, Tobias Lindberg and Wade Megan would help the Wolves seal the deal with their fifth goal of the night. Kulbakov denied point blank slappers from Megan twice. Lindberg was able to scoop up the second rebound and poke it through Kulbakov’s five-hole.
But Wait! There’s More
Quick Thoughts
- The Monsters only had two shots on goal in the first period. They were good looks though.
- After Coach Madden made the decision to replace Matiss Kilvlenieks with Ivan Kulbakov, the Monsters amped up their energy. Sometimes a coach needs to change the scenery by switching out goalies.
- Zac Dalpe was back in the lineup with the Monsters after a short stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Things seemed a bit shaky at the beginning of the game. It seemed as though he wasn’t clicking with his line. Once Dalpe and the Broadhurst brothers clicked, the magic began to happen. Until Dalpe turned over a puck which led to a goal in the third period.
- Calvin Thurkauf does great things when he gets to play center. It’s clear Thurkauf is more confident when playing there.
- Doyle Somerby is fantastic as a forward. He knows how to create offense and isn’t afraid to be a grinder.
- The Monsters killed their momentum in the final minute and a half of the game by taking two stupid penalties. If it wasn’t for Kulbakov, the Wolves would have scored their sixth goal of the night during the two-man advantage. /
3 Stars
1st – Tomas Hyka (1g, 2a)
2nd – Bryce Gervais (1g, 0a)
3rd – Tobias Lindberg (1g, 1a)
Game Stats
Captaincy Report
Zac Dalpe, Andre Benoit, and Carter Camper wore the “A” in tonight’s tilt.
Penalty Book/Milestones
Tonight was Sam Kurker’s first game with the Cleveland Monsters. He wore number eight playing alongside Jordan Maletta and Doyle Somerby on what some would consider the fourth line.
Kurker ended the night with 1g, 2 PIM, and a +1. His goal in the third period was his first AHL goal.
What’s Next
The Monsters have a two day break before heading back to Rockford on Saturday, January 6th to play the IceHogs at 7pm est.