Game Preview: Monsters at Comets 02/11
In the fourth 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 Friday with full coverage, live from Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, NY, 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 overtime loss to the Chicago Wolves on Tuesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 13-19-5-3 on the season. With a .425 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 C Brendan Gaunce (16-12-28), D Jake Christiansen (6-16-22), and LW Tyler Angle (5-16-21).
COMETS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-3 road loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds on Wednesday, the Utica Comets enter tonight’s game at 27-7-5-0 on the season. With a .756 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 Chase De Leo (10-25-35), C Fabian Zetterlund (17-17-34), and D Reilly Walsh (6-24-30).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Friday marks the fourth of eight meetings between the Monsters and Comets this season [(0-2-1-0), -4 goal differential (5/9)] and the second of four games between the two clubs at Adirondack Bank Center this year [(0-1-0-0), -2 goal differential (1/3)].
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 11 GP, (3-6-0), 0 SO, 3.35 GAA, .890 S% |
| LAST APP. | (19/22) in 1-4 L vs HER 2/4/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 6 GP, (2-3-0), 0 SO, 3.40 GAA, .890 S% | |
| 35 Jean-Francois Berube | OVERALL | 16 GP, (4-8-4), 1 SO, 3.16 GAA, .899 S% |
| LAST APP | (32/35) in 2-3 OTL vs CHI 2/8/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.05 GAA, .906 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 8 GP, (3-3-2), 1 SO, 2.65 GAA, .916 S% |
COMETS GOALTENDERS:
| 34 Mareks Mitens | OVERALL | 9 GP, (5-3-1), 0 SO, 3.64 GAA, .879 S% |
| LAST APP. | (37/39) in 3-2 W at CLE 1/30/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 3 GP, (3-0-0), 0 SO, 1.66 GAA, .944 S% | |
| AT HOME | 5 GP, (3-1-1), 0 SO, 3.32 GAA, .886 S% | |
| 93 Akira Schmid | OVERALL | 14 GP, (11-1-2), 2 SO, 1.65 GAA, .944 S% |
| LAST APP. | (31/34) in 2-3 L at SPR 2/9/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 6 GP, (6-0-0), 1 SO, 1.48 GAA, .945 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- HITTING THE SKIDS: The Monsters are currently mired in a season-long eight-game losing streak (0-7-1-0), the AHL’s longest such streak this season and tied for the longest losing streak in club history.
- PILING UP THE PIMS: Cleveland D Billy Sweezey currently ranks among the AHL’s rookie leaders in penalty minutes (59, 2nd) so far this season while Monsters D Tim Berni’s 16 minor penalties this year rank third among first-year AHL skaters.
- CHRISTIANSEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS: Monsters D Jake Christiansen currently ranks among the AHL’s defensive leaders in points (22, T10th), goals (6, T6th), and shots on goal (92, 2nd) so far this season.
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