Game Preview: Monsters at Griffins 3/11
Mar 11, 2023In 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 Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, on Saturday with full coverage, live from Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI, underway at 7:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 4-1 home win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 24-25-4-2 on the season. With 54 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 Trey Fix-Wolansky (25-35-60), C Justin Richards (10-23-33), and C Josh Dunne (17-14-31).
GRIFFINS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-1 home overtime win over the Rockford IceHogs on Friday, the Grand Rapids Griffins enter tonight’s game at 23-27-4-2 on the season. With 52 standings points, the Griffins currently rank seventh in the Central Division standings and 14th in the Western Conference. Grand Rapids is currently led in scoring by RW Taro Hirose (13-33-46), C Joel L’Esperance (20-18-38), and C Austin Czarnik (13-23-36).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Saturday marks the sixth of eight meetings between the Monsters and Griffins this season (3-2-0-0, +4 goal differential [18/14]) and the fourth of four games between the two clubs at Van Andel Arena this year (1-2-0-0, -2 goal differential [9/11]).
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Jon Gillies | OVERALL | 15 GP, (5-8-2), 0 SO, 3.70 GAA, .878 S% |
| LAST APP | (36/41) in 2-5 TUC L at CV 1/16/23 | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 30 GP, (12-11-4), 0 SO, 3.37 GAA, .891 S% |
| LAST APP | (19/21) in 3-2 OTW vs WBS 3/4/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD |
3 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 2.16 GAA, .904 S% |
|
| ON THE ROAD | 13 GP, (3-5-2), 0 SO, 3.85 GAA, .875 S% |
GRIFFINS GOALTENDERS:
| 1 Victor Brattstrom |
OVERALL |
17 GP, (4-8-3), 0 SO, 3.83 GAA, .881 S% |
| LAST APP. |
(26/30) in 2-5 L vs IA 3/3/23 |
|
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 4.07 GAA, .810 S% | |
| AT HOME | 7 GP, (1-4-2), 0 SO, 3.48 GAA, .874 S% | |
| 34 Alex Nedeljkovic | OVERALL | 21 GP, (10-8-2), 1 SO, 2.81 GAA, .911 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/30) in 2-1 OTW vs RFD 3/10/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 4 GP, (2-2-0), 0 SO, 3.04 GAA, .907 S% | |
| AT HOME | 14 GP, (6-5-2), 1 SO, 2.77 GAA, .912 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- SILLINGER’S SUCCESS: Cleveland C Owen Sillinger is currently riding a four-game point streak (2-2-4) and is scoring at a point per game pace vs. Grand Rapids this season (5 GP, 3-2-5).
- GOING STREAKING: Cleveland LW Roman Ahcan is currently riding a two-game point streak (1-2-3) while Monsters RW Yegor Chinakhov has points in three straight games (2-2-4).
- GREAT VS. THE GRIFFINS: Monsters C Tyler Angle is scoring at a point per game pace vs. Grand Rapids this season (5 GP, 4-1-5) with half his eight goals this year coming vs. the Griffins.