Monsters Finish Homestand, Battle Griffins
In the third of four meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, drop the puck vs. the Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, on Tuesday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 7:00 pm on Alt 99.1, AHLTV and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 0-4 home loss to the Binghamton Devils on Sunday, the Cleveland Monsters enter today’s game at 22-23-2-2 on the season. With 48 points, the Monsters currently rank eighth in the AHL’s North Division standings and 14th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by D Adam Clendening (6-26-32), C Stefan Matteau (11-16-27) and LW Nathan Gerbe (8-17-25).
GRIFFINS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 5-1 home win over the Texas Stars on Sunday, the Grand Rapids Griffins enter tonight’s game at 22-21-3-4 on the season. With 51 points, the Griffins currently rank fourth in the AHL’s Central Division standings and eighth in the Western Conference. Grand Rapids is currently led in scoring by RW Chris Terry (18-27-45), LW Matt Puempel (14-18-32) and D Joe Hicketts (2-20-22).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Tuesday marks the third of four meetings between the Monsters and Griffins this season and the second of two clashes between the two teams at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year. Cleveland is 1-1-0-0 vs. Grand Rapids overall this season with an even goal differential (7/7) and the Monsters are 0-1-0-0 vs. the Griffins at home with a -2 goal differential (2/4).
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 35 Veini Vehvilainen | OVERALL | 26 GP, (10-13-2), 3 SO, 2.52 GAA, .909 S% |
| LAST APP. | (38/42) in 0-4 L vs. BNG 2/9/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.08 GAA, .864 S% | |
| AT HOME | 15 GP, (5-8-1), 3 SO, 2.39 GAA, .914 S% | |
| 39 Brad Thiessen | OVERALL | 4 GP, (2-1-0), 0 SO, 2.42 GAA, .901 S% |
| LAST APP. | (26/28) in 3-2 W vs UTI 2/1/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | N/A | |
| AT HOME | 2 GP, (2-0-0), 0 SO, 3.00 GAA, .900 S% |
GRIFFINS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Calvin Pickard | OVERALL | 28 GP, (15-9-4), 2 SO, 2.84 GAA, .904 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/33) in 3-4 OTL vs TEX 2/8/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 3.02 GAA, .909 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 12 GP, (7-4-1), 0 SO, 3.55 GAA, .888 S% | |
| 35 Pat Nagle | OVERALL | 11 GP, (4-5-1), 0 SO, 2.19 GAA, .922 S% |
| LAST APP. | (34/35) in 5-1 W vs TEX 2/9/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | N/A | |
| ON THE ROAD | 5 GP, (1-3-1), 0 SO, 2.59 GAA, .910 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- BARRY’S BURYING: Cleveland C Derek Barach currently ranks in the AHL’s top five among rookies in shooting percentage (22.6%, 2nd) so far this season.
- CLENDO’S CRUISIN’: Monsters D Adam Clendening currently ranks in the AHL’s top ten among defensemen in points (32, T4th), assists (26, T6th) and power-play assists (13, 6th) so far this season.
- JOLTIN’ JAKOB: Monsters LW Jakob Lilja is scoring at a point per game pace in his last five appearances (5 GP, 2-3-5).
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