Game Preview: Monsters at Griffins 2/20
In the second of eight meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, 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 Saturday with full coverage, live from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI, underway at 4:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 AM “The Gambler”, AHLTV and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 1-3 home loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday, the Cleveland Monsters enter today’s game at 0-2-0-0 on the season. With zero points, the Monsters currently rank sixth in the Central Division standings and 27th league-wide. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by C Zac Dalpe (1-1-2), RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (1-1-2), and LW Nathan Gerbe (1-1-2).
GRIFFINS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-1 road win over the Rockford IceHogs on Thursday, the Grand Rapids Griffins enter today’s game at 2-2-0-0 on the season. With four points, the Griffins currently rank fourth in the North Division standings and 16th league-wide. Grand Rapids is currently led in scoring by RW Riley Barber (2-3-5), C Kyle Criscuolo (2-1-3), and D Dennis Cholowski (1-2-3).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Saturday marks the second of eight meetings between the Monsters (0-1-0-0) and Griffins this season and the first of four games between the two clubs at Van Andel Arena this year.
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 35 Veini Vehvilainen | OVERALL | -- |
| LAST APP. | -- | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | -- | |
| 80 Matiss Kivlenieks | OVERALL | -- |
| LAST APP. | -- | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | -- |
GRIFFINS GOALTENDERS:
| 33 Kevin Boyle | OVERALL | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.11 GAA, .893 S% |
| LAST APP. | (25/28) in 2-4 L at CHI 2/11/21 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.11 GAA, .893 S% | |
| 35 Pat Nagle | OVERALL | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 2.03 GAA, .929 S% |
| LAST APP. | (26/27) in 3-1 W at CLE 2/13/21 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 1.00 GAA, .963 S% | |
| AT HOME | -- |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- BACK IN THE CENTRAL: For the first time since the 2017-18 season, the Monsters will play in the Central Division this year. However, in 2020-21, Cleveland will only play four of their five divisional opponents (Chicago, Grand Rapids, Rockford, and Texas), along with one member of the North Division (Rochester).
- THE LAST TIME: Prior to this season, Cleveland’s last game was a 3-2 OT loss at Charlotte on 3/11/20 (338 days ago), while the team’s last home game was a 5-1 loss to Laval on 3/6/20 (343 days ago). The Monsters’ last win was a 3-2 OT victory at Rochester on 2/22/20 (356 days ago), while the club’s last home win was a 6-2 victory over Grand Rapids on 2/11/20 (one year, two days ago).
- MULTIPLE MILESTONES: After posting a power-play goal in Friday’s season-opening 7-3 home loss to Rochester, Cleveland C Zac Dalpe currently ranks seventh in Monsters franchise history in points (108), just one point away from sixth place (109, Ryan Stoa). Additionally, Dalpe’s 20 power-play goals in a Cleveland uniform rank tied with former Monsters forward Andrew Agozzino for the most in club history.
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