Game Preview: Monsters at Comets 1/11
In the fifth 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 Wednesday 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 1-4 road loss to the Chicago Wolves on Saturday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 13-15-1-2 on the season. With 29 standings points, the Monsters currently rank seventh in the North Division standings and 15th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (15-19-34), RW Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), and C Justin Richards (6-16-22).
COMETS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-1 road win over the Providence Bruins on Sunday, the Utica Comets enter tonight’s game at 17-9-5-1 on the season. With 40 standings points, the Comets currently rank second in the North Division standings and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Utica is currently led in scoring by RW Graeme Clarke (12-16-28), LW Nolan Stevens (10-13-23), and LW Nolan Foote (13-6-19).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Wednesday marks the fifth of eight meetings between the Monsters and Comets this season (0-4-0-0, -8 goal differential [11/19]) and the third of four games between the two clubs at Adirondack Bank Center this year (0-2-0-0, -5 goal differential [3/8]).
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 12 GP, (4-7-1), 0 SO, 3.76 GAA, .869 S% |
| LAST APP | (15/18) in 1-4 L at CHI 1/7/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 3 GP, (0-3-0), 0 SO, 5.14 GAA, .828 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 5 GP, (3-2-0), 0 SO, 3.58 GAA, .874 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 15 GP, (6-6-2), 0 SO, 3.69 GAA, .885 S% |
| LAST APP | (28/30) in 5-2 W at CHI 1/6/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.00 GAA, .900 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 9 GP, (2-4-2), 0 SO, 3.75 GAA, .885 S% |
COMETS GOALTENDERS:
| 50 Nico Daws | OVERALL | 18 GP, (10-6-1), 0 SO, 2.67 GAA, .905 S% |
| LAST APP. | (31/32) in 2-1 W at PRO 1/8/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 5.00 GAA, .833 S% | |
| AT HOME | 9 GP, (5-3-0), 0 SO, 2.31 GAA, .912 S% | |
| 90 Akria Schmid | OVERALL | 9 GP, (5-1-3), 0 SO, 2.53 GAA, .902 S% |
| LAST APP. | (38/39) in 2-1 W at SPR 1/7/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 3 GP, (3-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .914 S% | |
| AT HOME | 4 GP, (3-0-1), 0 SO, 1.71 GAA, .924 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- DYNAMIC DAVID: With 20 points (5G, 15A) so far this season, Monsters D David Jiricek currently ranks among the AHL’s rookie (T17th) and defensive (T14th) leaders in scoring. Jiricek’s nine power-play assists and 12 power-play points rank tied for first and tied for second respectively among first-year skaters league-wide.
- GETTING IT DUNNE: Monsters C Josh Dunne is currently riding a two-game point streak (1-1-2).
- LENDING A HAND: Cleveland D Jake Christiansen is currently riding a two-game assist streak (2).
Related Articles
