Game Preview: Monsters vs. Bears 02/05/22
In the fourth of four meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, drop the puck vs. the Hershey Bears, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, on Saturday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 3:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 1-4 home loss to the Hershey Bears on Friday, the Cleveland Monsters enter today’s game at 13-18-4-3 on the season. With a .434 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 (16-11-27), D Jake Christiansen (5-16-21), and LW Tyler Angle (4-16-20).
BEARS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 4-1 road win over the Cleveland Monsters on Friday, the Hershey Bears enter today’s game at 22-13-3-3 on the season. With a .610 points percentage, the Bears currently rank second in the Atlantic Division standings and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Hershey is currently led in scoring by LW Joe Snively (15-23-38), LW Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (13-16-29), and RW Garrett Pilon (13-16-29).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Saturday marks the fourth of four meetings between the Monsters and Bears this season [(1-1-1-0), -3 goal differential (6/9)] and the second of two games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year [(0-1-0-0), -3 goal differential (1/4)].
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 | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.04 GAA, .864 S% | |
| AT HOME | 5 GP, (1-3-0), 0 SO, 3.31 GAA, .891 S% | |
| 33 Cam Johnson | OVERALL | 5 GP, (1-2-1), 0 SO, 2.62 GAA, .892 S% |
| LAST APP | (13/16) in 2-3 L vs UTI 1/30/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 2 GP, (0-2-0), 0 SO, 3.62 GAA, .816 S% | |
| 35 Jean-Francois Berube | OVERALL | 14 GP, (4-7-3), 1 SO, 3.18 GAA, .898 S% |
| LAST APP | (6/9) in first 19:51 of 1-5 L at WBS 1/24/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 0.92 GAA, .971 S% | |
| AT HOME | 6 GP, (1-4-1), 0 SO, 3.93 GAA, .873 S% |
BEARS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Pheonix Copley | OVERALL | 21 GP, (12-7-2), 2 SO, 2.50 GAA, .906 S% |
| LAST APP. | (26/27) in 2-1 OTW vs BRI 1/29/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.84 GAA, .917 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 9 GP, (4-5-0), 1 SO, 2.87 GAA, .884 S% | |
| 35 Zach Fucale | OVERALL | 15 GP, (7-4-4), 0 SO, 2.68 GAA, .890 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/30) in 4-1 W at CLE 2/4/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 2 GP, (1-0-1), 0 SO, 0.96 GAA, .966 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 5 GP, (2-2-1), 0 SO, 2.92 GAA, .885 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- HITTING THE SKIDS: The Monsters are currently mired in a season-long six-game regulation losing streak, the AHL’s second-longest such active streak, and a four-game home regulation losing streak, the league’s second-longest such active streak.
- BAD BEHAVIOR: Cleveland D Tim Berni currently ranks tied for third among AHL rookies in minor penalties this season (15).
- DYNAMIC DEFENSEMAN: Monsters D Jake Christiansen currently ranks among the AHL’s defensive leaders in points (21, T10th) and shots on goal (85, 5th) this season.
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