Game Preview: Monsters vs. Wolves 1/6
In the third 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 Chicago Wolves, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, on Friday with full coverage, live from Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, underway at 8:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 1-3 road loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 12-14-1-2 on the season. With 27 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 Emil Bemstrom (14-17-31), RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (14-17-31), and C Justin Richards (6-15-21).
WOLVES PRE-SCOUT: Following a 5-2 home win over the Iowa Wild on Tuesday, the Chicago Wolves enter tonight’s game at 11-15-3-1 on the season. With 26 standings points, the Wolves currently rank sixth in the Central Division standings and 14th in the Western Conference. Chicago is currently led in scoring by RW Malte Stromwall (7-16-23), C Jamieson Rees (5-15-20), and C Josh Melnick (8-11-19).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Friday marks the third of eight meetings between the Monsters and Wolves this season (1-1-0-0, -1 goal differential [6/7]) and the first of four games between the two clubs at Allstate Arena 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 | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 3.06 GAA, .878 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 4 GP, (3-1-0), 0 SO, 3.67 GAA, .880 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 14 GP, (5-6-2), 0 SO, 3.82 GAA, .882 S% |
| LAST APP | (19/21) in 1-3 L at GR 1/4/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 8 GP, (1-4-2), 0 SO, 3.98 GAA, .879 S% |
WOLVES GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Cale Morris | OVERALL | 7 GP, (1-4-2), 0 SO, 5.21 GAA, .843 S% |
| LAST APP. | (15/21) in 2-6 L at RFD 12/31/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 5 GP, (1-2-2), 0 SO, 4.68 GAA, .871 S% | |
| 36 Zachary Sawchenko | OVERALL | 18 GP, (8-9-1), 1 SO, 3.53 GAA, .887 S% |
| LAST APP. | (27/29) in 5-2 W vs IA 1/3/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 4.31 GAA, .889 S% | |
| AT HOME | 8 GP, (3-4-1), 0 SO, 3.73 GAA, .880 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- MASSIVE MILESTONE: Cleveland RW Trey Fix-Wolansky currently ranks in the AHL’s top-20 in scoring (31 PTS, T16th) and ranks tied for the AHL lead with three shootout goals this season. The Edmonton, AB native is currently one point away from 100 in his AHL career.
- HITTING THE SKIDS: The Monsters are currently mired in a season-long six-game losing streak and have dropped eight of their last ten games. Cleveland’s streak is the longest active skid in the league and tied for the third-longest streak of its kind in the AHL this season.
- COLE’S CRUISING: Cleveland LW Cole Fonstad is currently riding a two-game point streak (1-2-3) and two-game assist streak (2), and is scoring at a goal per game and better than point per game pace in his last four appearances (4-2-6).
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