Game Preview: Monsters vs. Comets 12/22
Dec 22, 2022In the fourth 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 Thursday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 7:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 “The Gambler”, AHLTV, and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-4 home loss to the Utica Comets on Tuesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 12-10-1-2 on the season. With 27 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 (14-15-29), RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (12-17-29), and RW Kirill Marchenko (8-11-19).
COMETS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 4-3 road win over the Cleveland Monsters on Tuesday, the Utica Comets enter tonight’s game at 11-9-3-1 on the season. With 26 standings points, the Comets currently rank fifth in the North Division standings and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Utica is currently led in scoring by RW Brian Pinho (8-10-18), RW Graeme Clark (7-10-17), and LW Nolan Stevens (7-8-15).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Thursday marks the fourth of eight meetings between the Monsters and Comets this season (0-3-0-0, -6 goal differential [6/12]) and the second of four games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year (0-1-0-0, -1 goal differential [3/4]).
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 30 Pavel Cajan | OVERALL | 10 GP, (4-5-1), 0 SO, 3.47 GAA, .886 S% |
| LAST APP | (37/41) in 3-4 L vs UTC 12/20/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 2 GP, (0-2-0), 0 SO, 4.03 GAA, .882 S% | |
| AT HOME | 6 GP, (1-4-1), 0 SO, 3.33 GAA, .890 S% | |
| 31 Eric Dop | OVERALL | -- |
| LAST APP | -- | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | -- |
COMETS GOALTENDERS:
| 50 Nico Daws | OVERALL | 14 GP, (6-6-1), 0 SO, 2.67 GAA, .905 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/32) in 7-3 W vs SPR 12/17/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 7 GP, (3-3-1), 0 SO, 3.17 GAA, .892 S% | |
| 93 Akira Schmid | OVERALL | 5 GP, (3-1-1), 0 SO, 2.18 GAA, .909 S% |
| LAST APP. | (20/23) in 4-3 W at CLE 12/20/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 3 GP, (3-0-0), 0 SO, 2.00 GAA, .914 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 2 GP, (1-1-0), 0 SO, 2.52 GAA, .889 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- EMIL’S EXCELLING: Monsters RW Emil Bemstrom is currently in the midst of an 11-game point streak (9-9-18) and a seven-game assist streak (7A), as well as a four-game home assist streak (4A). Bemstrom also ranks among the AHL’s leaders in points (29, T10th), game-winning goals (3, T3rd) and power-play goals (8, T3rd).
- DYNAMIC DAVID: Monsters D David Jiricek currently ranks among the AHL’s rookie leaders in power-play assists (9, T1st) and power-play points (11, T1st).
- THE FIX IS IN: Cleveland’s leading scorer, RW Trey Fix-Wolansky, currently ranks among the AHL’s leaders in points (29, T10th) and shootout goals (3, T1st).