Game Preview: Monsters vs. Checkers 12/29
In the first 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 Charlotte Checkers, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, on Thursday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 7:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 5-7 home loss to the Utica Comets on Thursday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 12-11-1-2 on the season. With 27 standings points, the Monsters currently rank fifth in the North Division standings and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (12-17-29), and D David Jiricek (5-15-20).
CHECKERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 5-2 home win over the Providence Bruins on Friday, the Charlotte Checkers enter tonight’s game at 14-11-2-1 on the season. With 31 standings points, the Checkers currently rank sixth in the Atlantic Division standings and eighth in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is currently led in scoring by C Riley Nash (10-15-25), C Chris Tierney (3-13-16), and C Zac Dalpe (10-5-15).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Thursday marks the first of four meetings between the Monsters and Checkers this season and the first of two games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 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 | -- | |
| AT HOME | 7 GP, (1-5-1), 0 SO, 3.89 GAA, .866 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 11 GP, (5-3-2), 0 SO, 4.09 GAA, .877 S% |
| LAST APP | (25/29) in 7-4 W vs LAV 12/17/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 4 GP, (4-0-0), 0 SO, 3.84 GAA, .877 S% |
CHECKERS GOALTENDERS:
| 1 Mack Guzda | OVERALL | 12 GP, (6-3-2), 0 SO, 2.79 GAA, .908 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/31) in 5-2 W vs PRO 12/23/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 4 GP, (2-1-1), 0 SO, 2.73 GAA, .909 S% | |
| 30 Jean-Francois Berube | OVERALL | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 4.49 GAA, .786 S% |
| LAST APP. | (14/20) in 1-6 L at LV 12/10/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 6.00 GAA, .700 S% | |
| 34 Alex Lyon | OVERALL | 15 GP, (7-7-1), 0 SO, 2.59 GAA, .909 S% |
| LAST APP. | (21/22) in 2-1 OTW vs PRO 12/22/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 7 GP, (2-4-1), 0 SO, 2.67 GAA, .912 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- PLUGGED IN: Cleveland currently leads the AHL in overall power-play efficiency (32/98, 32.7%) and road power-play efficiency (22/55, 40.0%).
- LENDING A HAND: Monsters C Justin Richards is currently riding a two-game assist streak (2).
- SAM’S SUCCESS: Cleveland D Sam Knazko currently ranks tied for the AHL rookie lead in power-play assists (9).
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