Game Preview: Monsters vs. Griffins 1/4
Jan 4, 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 Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, on Wednesday with full coverage, live from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI, underway at 7:00 pm on 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 Saturday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 12-13-1-2 on the season. With 27 standings points, the Monsters currently rank sixth in the North Division standings and 14th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (14-17-31), and C Justin Richards (6-15-21).
GRIFFINS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-4 home loss to the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday, the Grand Rapids Griffins enter tonight’s game at 11-17-1-0 on the season. With 23 standings points, the Griffins currently rank seventh in the Central Division standings and 16th in the Western Conference. Grand Rapids is currently led in scoring by RW Taro Hirose (8-20-28), C Danny O’Regan (5-17-22), and C Joel L’Esperance (11-10-21).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Wednesday marks the second of eight meetings between the Monsters and Griffins this season (1-0-0-0, +3 goal differential [5/2]) and the first of four games between the two clubs at Van Andel Arena 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 | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD |
4 GP, (3-1-0), 0 SO, 3.67 GAA, .880 S% |
|
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL |
13 GP, (5-5-2), 0 SO, 3.95 GAA, .880 S% |
| LAST APP | (33/36) in 2-3 L vs CLT 12/31/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 7 GP, (1-3-2), 0 SO, 4.26 GAA, .877 S% |
GRIFFINS GOALTENDERS:
| 1 Victor Brattstrom | OVERALL | 11 GP, (2-6-1), 0 SO, 3.99 GAA, .880 S% |
| LAST APP. |
(36/39) in 0-3 L at MIL 12/30/22 |
|
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 4.07 GAA, .810 S% | |
| AT HOME | 4 GP, (1-2-1), 0 SO, 4.10 GAA, .885 S% | |
| 45 Jussi Olkinuora | OVERALL |
15 GP, (6-8-0), 1 SO, 3.75 GAA, .868 S% |
| LAST APP. |
(23/26) in 2-4 L vs MIL 12/31/22 |
|
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME |
7 GP, (2-4-0), 1 SO, 3.95 GAA, .851 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- LENDING A HAND: Cleveland C Justin Richards is currently riding a four-game assist streak (4).
- PLUGGED IN: The Monsters currently lead the AHL in overall power-play percentage (33/110, 30.0%) and road power-play percentage (22/55, 40.0%).
- SAM’S SUCCESS: Cleveland D Sam Knazko currently ranks among the AHL’s rookie leaders in power-play assists (9, T1st).