Game Preview: Monsters at Comets 10/28
Oct 28, 2022In the second 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 Friday 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 1-5 road loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 3-3-0-0 on the season. With six standings points, the Monsters currently rank fourth in the North Division standings and eighth in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Emil Bemstrom (4-5-9), RW Kirill Marchenko (4-3-7), and C Brendan Gaunce (3-4-7).
COMETS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 1-2 road loss to the Providence Bruins on Saturday, the Utica Comets enter tonight’s game at 1-2-0-0 on the season. With two standings points, the Comets currently rank seventh in the North Division standings and 14th in the Eastern Conference. Utica is currently led in scoring by RW Brian Pinho (2-2-4), LW Andreas Johnsson (1-3-4), and F Tyce Thompson (1-1-2).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Friday marks the second of eight meetings between Cleveland and Utica this season (0-1-0-0, -1 goal differential [2/3]) and the second of four tilts between the two clubs at Adirondack Bank Center this year (0-1-0-0, -1 goal differential [2/3]).
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.97 GAA, .900 S% |
| LAST APP | (27/30) in 4-3 OTW at LHV 10/22/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.97 GAA, .900 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL |
5 GP, (2-3-0), 0 SO, 4.31 GAA, .859 S% |
| LAST APP | (23/28) in 1-5 L at WBS 10/26/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.08 GAA, .900 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 3 GP, (0-3-0), 0 SO, 4.43 GAA, .851 S% |
COMETS GOALTENDERS:
| 50 Nico Davis | OVERALL | 2 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 1.88 GAA, .941 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/31) in 1-2 L at PRO 10/22/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 1 GP, (0-0-0), 0 SO, 1.61 GAA, 950 S% | |
| 93 Akira Schmid | OVERALL |
2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 2.02 GAA, .911 S% |
| LAST APP. | (21/23) in 3-2 W vs CLE 10/21/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .913 S% | |
| AT HOME | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .913 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- BEMSTROM’S BOOMING: Cleveland’s top scorer, RW Emil Bemstrom, currently ranks in the AHL’s top-five in points (9, T2nd), goals (4, T3rd), and shots on goal (21, T5th) so far this season.
- CHRISTY’S CRUISING: Monsters D Jake Christiansen currently ranks in the league’s top ten among defensemen in assists (4, T5th) and points (4, T9th).
- ACHIEVING LIFTOFF: Monsters G Jet Greaves currently ranks among the AHL’s leaders in minutes played (306:31, 1st), saves (134, 1st), shootout wins, and shootout save percentage (.714, T4th).