Game Preview: Monsters at Griffins 2/17
In the third 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 Friday 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 2-1 home win over the Rochester Americans on Tuesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 20-20-3-2 on the season. With 45 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 Trey Fix-Wolansky (21-27-48), RW Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), and C Justin Richards (8-21-29).
GRIFFINS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 5-4 home win over the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday, the Grand Rapids Griffins enter tonight’s game at 20-22-2-2 on the season. With 44 standings points, the Griffins currently rank sixth in the Central Division standings and 13th in the Western Conference. Grand Rapids is currently led in scoring by RW Taro Hirose (12-26-38), C Austin Czarnik (13-19-32), and C Joel L’Esperance (14-16-30).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Friday marks the third of eight meetings between the Monsters and Griffins this season (1-1-0-0, +1 goal differential [6/5]) and the second of four games between the two clubs at Van Andel Arena this year (0-1-0-0, -2 goal differential [1/3]).
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 16 GP, (6-7-2), 0 SO, 3.39 GAA, .879 S% |
| LATS APP | (21/23) in 3-2 W vs BEL 2/11/23 | |
| ON THE ROAD | 7 GP, (4-2-1), 0 SO, 3.12 GAA, .892 S% | |
| 40 Daniil Tarasov | OVERALL | 6 GP, (3-3-0), 0 SO, 4.27 GAA, .868 S% |
| LAST APP | (33/35) in 5-2 W at CLT 1/22/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .938 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 5 GP, (2-3-0), 0 SO, 4.85 GAA, .850 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 24 GP, (10-9-3), 0 SO, 3.38 GAA, .893 S% |
| LAST APP | (33/34) in 2-1 W vs ROC 2/14/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 2.07 GAA, .905 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 10 GP, (2-4-2), 0 SO, 4.06 GAA, .875 S% |
GRIFFINS GOALTENDERS:
| 1 Victor Brattstrom | OVERALL | 14 GP, (3-7-2), 0 SO, 3.75 GAA, .882 S% |
| LAST APP. | (15/19) in first 39:41 of 1-5 L vs MB 2/11/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 4.07 GAA, .810 S% | |
| AT HOME | 5 GP, (1-3-1), 0 SO, 4.38 GAA, .873 S% | |
| 34 Alex Nedeljkovic | OVERALL | 15 GP, (8-4-2), 1 SO, 2.50 GAA, .920 S% |
| LAST APP. | (38/42) in 5-4 W vs RFD 2/15/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 1.00 GAA, .963 S% | |
| AT HOME | 10 GP, (4-3-2), 1 SO, 2.54 GAA, .917 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- FANTASTIC FONSTAD: Monsters LW Cole Fonstad currently ranks in the AHL’s top-ten in game-winning goals this season (4, T7th) and is scoring at a better than point per game pace vs. Grand Rapids this year (2 GP, 1-2-3).
- TERRIFIC TREY: Cleveland RW Trey Fix-Wolansky currently ranks among the AHL’s top-ten in points (48, 7th), goals (21, T6th), power-play goals (8, T10th), and shots (140, T9th). Fix-Wolansky is also riding a four-game point streak (2-4-6) and a four-game assist streak (4).
- ROOKIE SENSATION: Monsters D David Jiricek currently ranks among the AHL’s rookie leaders in power-play assists (11, T2nd) and power-play points (14, T4th).
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