Game Preview: Monsters vs. Comets 04/20
Apr 20, 2022In the eighth 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 Utica Comets, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, on Wednesday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 7:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 4-3 home overtime win over the Utica Comets on Tuesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 25-33-8-5 on the season. With a .444 points percentage, the Monsters currently rank seventh in the North Division standings and 15th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by D Jake Christiansen (12-30-42), LW Tyler Angle (10-26-36), and C Justin Scott (15-16-31).
COMETS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-4 road overtime loss to the Cleveland Monsters on Tuesday, the Utica Comets enter tonight’s game at 40-19-8-1 on the season. With a .654 points percentage, the Comets currently rank first in the North Division standings and first in the Eastern Conference. Utica is currently led in scoring by C Fabian Zetterlund (24-28-52), C Chase De Leo (17-35-52), and LW A.J. Greer (22-28-50).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Wednesday marks the eighth of eight meetings between the Monsters and Comets this season [(3-3-1-0), -3 goal differential (19/22)] and the fourth of four games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year [(1-1-1-0), -1 goal differential (8/9)].
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 27 GP, (11-11-2), 1 SO, 2.90 GAA, .906 S% |
| LAST APP | (23/29) in 2-6 L vs ROC 4/2/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 3 GP, (2-0-0), 0 SO, 1.38 GAA, .955 S% | |
| AT HOME | 13 GP, (5-6-1), 1 SO, 3.03 GAA, .900 S% | |
| 33 Cam Johnson | OVERALL | 18 GP, (5-8-3), 0 SO, 3.29 GAA, .879 S% |
| LAST APP | (22/25) in 4-3 OTW vs UTI 4/19/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 2.98 GAA, .854 S% | |
| AT HOME | 9 GP, (3-4-1), 0 SO, 3.49 GAA, .869 S% | |
| 40 Linden Marshall | OVERALL | 2 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 4.50 GAA, .854 S% |
| LAST APP | (23/29) in 0-6 L vs LAV 4/14/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 6.00 GAA, .793 S% |
COMETS GOALTENDERS:
| 32 Brandon Kasel | ADK (ECHL): | 27 GP, (8-15-2), 1 S), 3.56 GAA, .895 S% |
| 34 Mareks Mitens | OVERALL | 17 GP, (7-8-2), 0 SO, 3.31 GAA, .888 S% |
| LAST APP. | (18/21) in 1-4 L vs BEL 4/16/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 5 GP, (3-1-1), 0 SO, 1.79 GAA, .938 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 8 GP, (3-5-0), 0 SO, 4.06 GAA, .877 S% | |
| 93 Akira Schmid | OVERALL | 36 GP, (21-8-5), 2 SO, 2.53 GAA, .914 S% |
| LAST APP. | (24/28) in 3-4 OTL at CLE 4/19/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 2 GP, (1-0-1), 0 SO, 4.47 GAA, .875 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 21 GP, (11-5-3), 1 SO, 2.60 GAA, .914 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- ALWAYS IN OVERTIME: Cleveland leads the AHL with 23 overtime appearances this year, tied for a single-season franchise record (2014-15). The Monsters’ eight overtime wins and eight overtime losses both rank tied for second-most league-wide this season and Cleveland ranks tied for third league-wide with five shootout losses. The Monsters’ next overtime loss will set a new single-season franchise record in that category.
- JOLTIN’ JAKE: Monsters D Jake Christiansen currently ranks among the AHL’s defensive leaders in points (42, T4th), goals (12, T1st), shorthanded assists (3, T2nd), shorthanded points (3, T3rd), and shots on goal (165, 2nd) so far this season.
- MARVELOUS MULLIN: Cleveland LW Tristan Mullin is scoring at a point per game pace vs. Utica this season (5 GP, 1-4-5).