Game Preview: Monsters at Senators 1/13
Jan 13, 2023In the second of eight meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, drop the puck vs. the Belleville Senators, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, on Friday with full coverage, live from CAA Arena in Belleville, ON, underway at 7:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-3 road overtime loss to the Utica Comets on Wednesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 13-15-2-2 on the season. With 30 standings points, the Monsters currently rank seventh in the North Division standings and 15th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (15-19-34), RW Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), and C Justin Richards (6-16-22).
SENATORS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 6-1 home win over the Manitoba Moose on Saturday, the Belleville Senators enter tonight’s game at 15-16-3-0 on the season. With 33 standings points, the Senators currently rank fourth in the North Division standings and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Belleville is currently led in scoring by RW Egor Sokolov (11-24-35), LW Jake Lucchini (7-16-23), and C Ridly Greig (11-11-22).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Friday marks the second of eight meetings between the Monsters and Senators this season (0-0-0-1, -1 goal differential [7/8]) and the second of four games between the two clubs at Adirondack Bank Center this year.
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 13 GP, (4-7-2), 0 SO, 3.70 GAA, .871 S% |
| LAST APP | (24/27) in 2-3 OTL at UTC 1/11/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD |
-- |
|
| ON THE ROAD |
6 GP, (3-2-1), 0 SO, 3.47 GAA, .876 S% |
|
| 31 Darion Hanson | OVERALL (ECHL) | 10 GP, (3-4-0), 0 SO, 3.10 GAA, .910 S% |
SENATORS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Kevin Mandolese |
OVERALL |
8 GP, (3-4-1), 0 SO, 3.50 GAA, .873 S% |
| LAST APP. | (31/32) in 6-1 W vs MB 1/7/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 3 GP, (1-2-0), 0 SO, 3.43 GAA, .878 S% | |
| 35 Antione Bibeau | OVERALL | 15 GP, (6-6-1), 0 SO, 3.37 GAA, .898 S% |
| LAST APP. | (25/29) in 3-4 OTL at UTC 12/31/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-0-0), 0 SO, 8.94 GAA, .733 S% | |
| AT HOME | 9 GP, (5-3-0), 0 SO, 2.79 GAA, .917 S% | |
| 40 Mads Sogaard | OVERALL | 16 GP, (5-6-1), 0 SO, 3.01 GAA, .907 S% |
| LAST APP. | (24/26) in 3-2 SOW at SYR 1/6/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 4 GP, (2-2-0), 0 SO, 2.80 GAA, .914 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- PLUGGED IN: The Monsters currently rank second in the AHL in overall power-play percentage (35/124, 28.2%) and lead the league in road power-play percentage (24/69, 34.8%).
- HEAD-TO-HEAD HEROES: Cleveland’s roster currently features three players scoring at a better than point per game pace vs. Belleville this season, including C Justin Richards (1 GP, 1-2-3), C Josh Dunne (1 GP, 0-3-3), and LW Owen Sillinger (1 GP, 0-2-2).
- CHRISTY’S CRUISING: Monsters D Jake Christiansen is currently riding a three-game point streak (1-2-3).