Game Preview: Monsters vs. Bears 04/01
Apr 1, 2023In the third of four meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, drop the puck vs. the Hershey Bears, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, on Saturday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 6:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-2 road overtime win over the Rochester Americans on Wednesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 29-27-5-2 on the season. With 65 standings points, the Monsters currently rank sixth in the North Division standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (26-41-67), C Josh Dunne (20-16-36), and C Justin Richards (10-25-35).
BEARS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-1 road win over the Toronto Marlies on Wednesday, the Hershey Bears enter tonight’s game at 39-16-5-4 on the season. With 87 standings points, the Bears currently rank second in the Atlantic Division standings and second in the Eastern Conference. Hershey is currently led in scoring by C Mike Sgarbossa (20-35-55), LW Mike Vecchione (22-26-48), and RW Ethen Frank (27-19-46).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Saturday marks the third of four meetings between the Monsters and Bears this season (1-1-0-0, even goal differential [8/8]) and the first of two games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year.
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 19 GP, (7-8-2), 0 SO, 3.55 GAA, .873 S% |
| LAST APP | (14/18) in first 35:35 of 2-6 L at GR 2/25/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 4.62 GAA, .848 S% | |
| AT HOME | 10 GP, (2-5-1), 0 SO, 3.84 GAA, .861 S% | |
| 31 Nolan Lalonde | ERI (OHL) | 41 GP, (11-20-2), 1 SO, 4.10 GAA, .868 S% |
| 40 Daniil Tarasov | OVERALL | 11 GP, (5-5-0), 0 SO, 3.85 GAA, .882 S% |
| LAST APP | (16/18) in first 25:21 of 2-5 L at ROC 3/26/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 3.12 GAA, .880 S% | |
| AT HOME | 4 GP, (3-1-0), 0 SO, 2.48 GAA, .924 S% | |
| 73 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 37 GP, (16-13-5), 1 SO, 3.21 GAA, .897 S% |
| LAST APP | (31/33) in 3-2 OTW at ROC 3/29/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 20 GP, (10-7-3), 0 SO, 3.13 GAA, .900 S% |
BEARS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Hunter Shepard | OVERALL | 28 GP, (17-6-5), 1 SO, 2.09 GAA, .918 S% |
| LAST APP | (21/22) in 3-1 W at TOR 3/29/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD |
12 GP, (8-1-3), 0 SO, 1.96 GAA, .927 S% |
|
| 35 Zach Fucale | OVERALL | 35 GP, (19-10-4), 1 SO, 2.58 GAA, .899 S% |
| LAST APP. | (20/23) in 3-4 SOL vs LHV 3/26/23 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-0-1), 0 SO, 4.62 GAA, .853 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 19 GP, (9-7-2), 1 SO, 2.53 GAA, .905 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- FANTASTIC FINN: Cleveland LW Joona Luoto is currently riding a two-game point streak (1-1-2).
- COLE’S CRUISING: Monsters D Cole Clayton is currently riding a two-game point streak (1-1-2).
- SAM’S SUCCESS: Cleveland D Samuel Knazko is scoring at a better than point per game pace vs. Hershey this season (2 GP, 0-3-3).