Game Preview: Monsters vs IceHogs 2/27
Feb 27, 2021In 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 Rockford IceHogs, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, on Saturday with full coverage, live from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, underway at 7:00 pm on FOX Sports 1350 AM “The Gambler”, AHLTV and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 2-3 road loss to the Rockford IceHogs on Tuesday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 1-3-1-0 on the season. With three points, the Monsters currently rank fifth in the Central Division standings and 24th league-wide. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (2-3-5), LW Nathan Gerbe (2-3-5), and C Zac Dalpe (3-1-4).
ICEHOGS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 3-2 home win over the Cleveland Monsters on Tuesday, the Rockford IceHogs enter tonight’s game at 1-5-1-0 on the season. With three points, the IceHogs currently rank sixth in the Central Division standings and 27th league-wide. Rockford is currently led in scoring by F Brad Morrison (3-1-4), RW Chris Wilkie (3-1-4), and C Evan Barratt (1-3-4).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Tuesday marks the third of four meetings between the Monsters and IceHogs this season (1-1-0-0) and the first of two games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year.
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 39 Brad Thiessen | OVERALL | 4 GP, (1-2-1), 0 SO, 3.28 GAA, .896 S% |
| LAST APP. | (29/32) in 7-3 W at RFD 2/22/21 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD |
1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 3.00 GAA, .906 S% |
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| AT HOME | 2 GP, (0-2-0), 0 SO, 4.10 GAA, .873 S% | |
| 80 Matiss Kivlenieks | OVERALL | -- |
| LAST APP. |
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| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | -- |
ICEHOGS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Cale Morris | OVERALL | 2 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.25 GAA, .941 S% |
| LAST APP. | (35/37) in 3-2 W vs CLE 2/26/21 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 2 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 2.25 GAA, .941 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | -- | |
| 60 Collin Delia | OVERALL (CHI-NHL) | 2 GP, (0-2-0), 0 SO, 5.00 GAA, .863 S% |
| LAST APP. (CHI-NHL) | (31/36) in 2-5 L at FLA (NHL) 1/17/21 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD |
-- |
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| ON THE ROAD | -- |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- GOING STREAKING: Five Monsters are currently riding multi-game point streaks, including LW Evan Polei (2 games, 1-1-2), LW Tyler Sikura (2 games, 1-2-3), D Dillon Simpson (2 games, 0-3-3), C Justin Scott (2 games, 1-2-3), and LW Nathan Gerbe (2 games, 1-2-3).
- FLURRY OF MOVEMENT: In the wake of the Monsters’ 3-2 road loss to Rockford on Tuesday, the Monsters welcomed the arrivals of D Gavin Bayreuther, G Matiss Kivlenieks, and D Andrew Peeke on assignment from the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and witnessed the departures of G Veini Vehvilainen, C Zac Dalpe, and C Ryan MacInnis due to Columbus recalls.
- KIVVY THE KID: Cleveland G Matiss Kivlenieks has yet to play in a game at either the NHL or AHL level this season, but looks to draw into the Monsters’ crease this weekend. Last year, Kivlenieks went 1-1-2 with a 2.95 GAA and a .898 S% in six appearances for Columbus in the first action of his NHL career. The Riga, Latvia native added a record of 9-8-3 with one shutout, a 2.96 GAA and a .904 S% in 20 appearances for Cleveland in 2019-20.