Game Preview: Monsters vs. Wolves 03/29
Mar 29, 2022In 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 Chicago Wolves, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, on Tuesday 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 3-6 home loss to the Charlotte Checkers on Sunday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 23-26-8-4 on the season. With a .475 points percentage, the Monsters currently rank seventh in the North Division standings and 14th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by D Jake Christiansen (11-29-40), LW Tyler Angle (8-22-30), and C Justin Scott (13-16-29).
WOLVES PRE-SCOUT: Following a 5-2 road win over the Iowa Wild on Sunday, the Chicago Wolves enter tonight’s game at 39-11-5-5 on the season. With a .733 points percentage, the Wolves currently rank first in the Central Division standings and second in the Western Conference. Chicago is currently led in scoring by C Andrew Poturalski (24-57-81), RW Stefan Noesen (35-29-64), and LW C.J. Smith (19-32-51).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Tuesday marks the third of four meetings between the Monsters and Wolves this season [(0-1-1-0), -2 goal differential (5/7)] and the second of two games between the two clubs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this year [(0-0-1-0), -1 goal differential (2/3)].
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Jet Greaves | OVERALL | 25 GP, (11-9-2), 1 SO, 2.75 GAA, .910 S% |
| LAST APP | (23/28) in first 40:00 of 3-6 L vs CLT 3/27/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 4.13 GAA, .882 S% | |
| AT HOME | 11 GP, (5-4-1), 1 SO, 2.73 GAA, .908 S% | |
| 33 Cam Johnson | OVERALL | 11 GP, (3-4-2), 0 SO, 3.10 GAA, .877 S% |
| LAST APP |
(11/12) in 20:00 of relief in 3-6 L vs CLT 3/27/22 |
|
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| AT HOME | 6 GP, (1-3-1), 0 SO, 3.40 GAA, .856 S% |
WOLVES GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Jack LaFontaine | OVERALL | 9 GP, (2-1-4), 1 SO, 2.69 GAA, .880 S% |
| LAST APP. | (21/25) in 2-4 L at TOR 3/20/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-0-0), 0 SO, 0.00 GAA, .000 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 5 GP, (1-1-1), 0 SO, 3.63 GAA, .863 S% | |
| 34 Alex Lyon | OVERALL | 26 GP, (16-6-3), 3 SO, 2.16 GAA, .911 S% |
| LAST APP. |
(27/30) in 4-3 OTW vs MB 3/25/22 |
|
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | 1 GP, (0-0-0), 0 SO, 0.00 GAA, .000 S% | |
| ON THE ROAD | 14 GP, (8-4-1), 2 SO, 2.26 GAA, .905 S% | |
| 35 Eetu Makiniemi | OVERALL | 14 GP, (11-2-1), 2 SO, 2.06 GAA, .922 S% |
| LAST APP. | (25/25) in 1-0 W at MIL 12/17/21 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 10 GP, (9-1-0), 2 SO, 2.00 GAA, .926 S% | |
| 52 Pyotr Kochetkov | OVERALL | 8 GP, (7-0-1), 0 SO, 1.87 GAA, .934 S% |
| LAST APP. | (25/27) in 5-2 W at IA 3/27/22 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | -- | |
| ON THE ROAD | 3 GP, (2-0-1), 0 SO, 1.63 GAA, .934 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- AMAZING MEYER: Cleveland RW Carson Meyer is currently riding a two-game point streak (1-1-2) and is scoring at a point per game pace vs. Chicago this season (1 GP, 1-0-1).
- JOLTIN’ JAKE: Monsters D Jake Christiansen currently ranks among the AHL’s defensive leaders in points (40, 4th), goals (11, T2nd), shorthanded assists (3, T2nd), shorthanded points (3, T3rd), and shots on goal (146, 2nd). Christiansen is also riding a two-game point streak (2-1-3) and is scoring at a better than point per game pace in his last 12 appearances (5-9-14).
- PILING UP THE PIMS: Cleveland D Billy Sweezey currently ranks among the AHL’s rookie leaders in penalty minutes (86, 2nd) and major penalties (4, T5th) while Monsters D Tim Berni’s 19 minor penalties rank tied for fifth-most among AHL rookies this season.