Monsters Hit the Road to Rematch the Griffins
In the fourth 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 Friday with full coverage, live from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI, underway at 7:00 pm on Alt 99.1, AHLTV and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 6-2 home win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter today’s game at 23-23-2-2 on the season. With 50 points, the Monsters currently rank seventh in the AHL’s North Division standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by D Adam Clendening (6-28-34), C Stefan Matteau (12-16-28) and LW Nathan Gerbe (8-17-25).
GRIFFINS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-6 road loss to the Cleveland Monsters on Tuesday, the Grand Rapids Griffins enter tonight’s game at 22-22-3-4 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 (18-28-46), LW Matt Puempel (14-18-32) and D Joe Hicketts (2-20-22).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Friday marks the fourth of four meetings between the Monsters and Griffins this season and the second of two clashes between the two teams at Van Andel Arena this year. Cleveland is 2-1-0-0 vs. Grand Rapids overall this season with a +4 goal differential (13/9) and the Monsters are 1-0-0-0 vs. the Griffins on the road with a +2 goal differential (5/3).
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% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 15 GP, (5-8-1), 3 SO, 2.39 GAA, .914 S% | |
| 39 Brad Thiessen | OVERALL | 5 GP, (3-1-0), 0 SO, 2.32 GAA, .917 S% |
| LAST APP. | (37/39) in 6-2 W vs GR 2/11/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .949 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 2 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 1.54 GAA, .905 S% |
GRIFFINS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Calvin Pickard | OVERALL | 29 GP, (15-10-4), 2 SO, 3.00 GAA, .899 S% |
| LAST APP. | (14/20) in first 29:51 of 2-6 L at CLE 2/11/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 3 GP, (1-2-0), 0 SO, 4.83 GAA, .860 S% | |
| AT HOME | 16 GP, (8-5-3), 2 SO, 2.30 GAA, .918 S% | |
| 35 Pat Nagle | OVERALL | 12 GP, (4-5-1), 0 SO, 2.09 GAA, .925 S% |
| LAST APP. | (14/14) in 30:09 of relief in 2-6 L at CLE 2/11/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-0-0), 0 SO, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 S% | |
| AT HOME | 6 GP, (3-2-0), 0 SO, 1.82 GAA, .933 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- MATTEAU’S MAGIC: Cleveland C Stefan Matteau is scoring at a point per game pace vs. the Griffins this season (3 GP, 3-0-3), has eight points to his credit in his last eight appearances (3-5-8) and currently ranks among the league’s leaders in shorthanded goals (3, T3rd).
- AMAZING ADAM: Monsters D Adam Clendening, the club’s top scorer this season, currently ranks among the AHL’s defensive leaders in points (34, 4th), assists (28, T4th) and power-play assists (13, 6th) and is also scoring at a point per game pace vs. Grand Rapids this season (3 GP, 1-2-3).
- WAYNE TRAIN: Cleveland G Veini Vehvilainen, affectionately referred to as “Wayne” by his teammates, currently ranks among the AHL leaders in goals-against average (2.52, 13th) and shutouts (3, T5th) so far this season.
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