Game Preview: Monsters vs. Comets 2/22
In the sixth 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 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 3-2 road win over the Chicago Wolves on Sunday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 22-21-3-2 on the season. With 49 standings points, the Monsters currently rank sixth in the North Division standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (21-32-53), RW Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), and C Justin Richards (8-21-29).
COMETS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 1-3 road loss to the Toronto Marlies on Monday, the Utica Comets enter tonight’s game at 23-20-5-2 on the season. With 53 standings points, the Comets currently rank third in the North Division standings and eighth in the Eastern Conference. Utica is currently led in scoring by RW Graeme Clarke (18-21-39), LW Nolan Stevens (12-15-27), and C Joe Gambardella (8-18-26).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Wednesday marks the sixth of eight meetings between the Monsters and Comets this season (0-4-1-0, -9 goal differential [13/22]) and the third of four games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year (0-2-0-0, -3 goal differential [8/11]).
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 17 GP, (7-7-2), 0 SO, 3.31 GAA, .881 S% |
| LAST APP | (22/24) in 3-2 W at CHI 2/19/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 4 GP, (0-3-1), 0 SO, 4.58 GAA, .842 S% | |
| AT HOME | 9 GP, (2-5-1), 0 SO, 3.61 GAA, .868 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, 4.94 GAA, .808 S% | |
| AT HOME | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .938 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 26 GP, (11-10-3), 0 SO, 3.35 GAA, .892 S% |
| LAST APP | (21/25) in 3-4 L at CHI 2/18/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.08 GAA, .900 S% | |
| AT HOME | 14 GP, (8-5-1), 0 SO, 2.92 GAA, .906 S% |
COMETS GOALTENDERS:
| 1 Isaac Poulter | OVERALL | 4 GP, (1-1-2), 0 SO, 4.35 GAA, .865 S% |
| LAST APP. | (21/24) in 2-3 OTL vs LAV 11/30/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 4.96 GAA .865 S% | |
| 50 Nico Daws | OVERALL | 25 GP, (11-12-2), 0 SO, 2.98 GAA, .898 S% |
| LAST APP. | (36/39) in 1-3 L at TOR 2/20/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 5.00 GAA, .833 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 13 GP, (7-5-1), 0 SO, 3.62 GAA, .896 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- GETTING IT DUNNE: Cleveland C Josh Dunne is currently riding a four-game goal streak (4), which is tied for the AHL’s longest such active streak, and a six-game point streak (5-1-6).
- ROBBIE’S ROLLIN’: Monsters RW Robbie Payne is currently riding a three-game point streak (1-4-5) and a three-game assist streak (4).
- FANTASTIC FINN: Cleveland LW Joona Luoto is scoring at a goal per game and better than point per game pace in his last three outings (3-1-4).
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