Game Preview: Monsters vs. Checkers 12/31
Dec 31, 2022In the second of four meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, drop the puck vs. the Charlotte Checkers, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, on Saturday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 12:30 pm on Bally Sports Great Lakes, FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-3 home loss to the Charlotte Checkers on Thursday, the Cleveland Monsters enter today’s game at 12-12-1-2 on the season. With 27 standings points, the Monsters currently rank sixth in the North Division standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (13-17-30), and C Justin Richards (6-14-20).
CHECKERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-2 road win over the Cleveland Monsters on Thursday, the Charlotte Checkers enter today’s game at 15-11-2-1 on the season. With 33 standings points, the Checkers currently rank fourth in the Atlantic Division standings and sixth in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is currently led in scoring by C Riley Nash (10-15-25), C Chris Tierney (3-13-16), and C Zac Dalpe (10-5-15).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Saturday marks the second of four meetings between the Monsters and Checkers this season (0-1-0-0, -1 goal differential [2/3]) and the second of two games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year.
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 11 GP, (4-6-1), 0 SO, 3.82 GAA, .871 S% |
| LAST APP | (12/19) in 5-7 L vs UTC 12/22/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 7 GP, (1-5-1), 0 SO, 3.89 GAA, .866 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 12 GP, (5-4-2), 0 SO, 4.01 GAA, .877 S% |
| LAST APP | (22/25) in 2-3 L vs CLT 12/29/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.08 GAA, .880 S% | |
| AT HOME | 5 GP, (4-1-0), 0 SO, 3.69 GAA, .877 S% |
CHECKERS GOALTENDERS:
| 1 Mack Guzda | OVERALL | 12 GP, (6-3-2), 0 SO, 2.79 GAA, .908 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/31) in 5-2 W vs PRO 12/23/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 4 GP, (2-1-1), 0 SO, 2.73 GAA, .909 S% | |
| 30 Jean-Francois Berube | OVERALL | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 4.49 GAA, .786 S% |
| LAST APP. | (14/20) in 1-6 L at LV 12/10/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 6.00 GAA, .700 S% | |
| 34 Alex Lyon | OVERALL | 16 GP, (8-7-1), 0 SO, 2.55 GAA, .909 S% |
| LAST APP. | (23/25) in 3-2 W at CLE 12/29/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .920 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 8 GP, (3-4-1), 0 SO, 2.59 GAA, .913 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- LENDING A HAND: Cleveland C Justin Richards is currently riding a three-game assist streak (3) while LW Tyler Angle is riding a two-game assist streak (2).
- CLAYTON’S CRUISING: Monsters D Cole Clayton is currently riding a two-game point streak (1-1-2).
- PLUGGED IN: The Monsters currently lead the AHL in overall power-play percentage (32/103, 31.1%) and road power-play percentage (22/55, 40.0%).