I-71 Report: Busy Start to November

Nov 11, 2019

The beginning of November saw an increased amount of traffic on I-71 between the Cleveland Monsters and Columbus Blue Jackets following a slow start to the season in terms of transactions between the two clubs.

 

Markus Hannikainen made his way back to Cleveland on Oct. 19 following his first recall of the season earlier in the month. The veteran forward appeared in three games for the Monsters scoring at a point per game pace (3A) before returning to Columbus on Oct. 31 for his second recall, then rejoining the Monsters in Grand Rapids on Nov. 5.

 

New Albany-native Kole Sherwood was recalled by Columbus on Nov. 2 after playing in 10 games for Cleveland and producing four points (3G, 1A). Sherwood made his 2019-20 debut that night against the Calgary Flames, taking the ice for 11 shifts and delivering a team-high four hits.

 

 

 

 

Sherwood took eight shifts and registered a shot on Nov. 5 when the Blue Jackets faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights, along with two more shots on Nov. 9 versus the Colorado Avalanche.

Passing Sherwood on I-71 was forward Jakob Lilja on Nov. 2, as the Swedish forward made his way to Cleveland for his AHL debut the following afternoon in the Monsters’ 5-1 win over the Checkers.

 

Following the Monsters’ 5-3 victory in Grand Rapids on Nov. 6, a series of roster moves were executed between the two teams including defenseman Adam Clendening’s first recall by Columbus this year. Clendening played in 11 games for the Monsters totaling seven points (2G, 5A) prior to his Monsters departure. He was reassigned to Cleveland on Nov. 12.

 

In addition to Clendening’s move, the teams swapped goaltenders on Nov. 6 with Matiss Kivlenieks heading to Columbus to serve as the Blue Jackets’ backup net-minder for Columbus’ games on the 7th and 9th before returning to Cleveland on Sunday. Backstop Elvis Merlikins made his AHL debut in Friday’s game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against the Laval Rocket stopping 28 shots in the 2-1 loss before joining Columbus on the road Nov. 10.

 

Second-year forward Eric Robinson was also among the roster moves made on the 10th as he earned his first NHL recall of the season. Prior to the recall, Robinson appeared in 14 games for the Monsters, contributing three goals and adding two assists. Against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Robinson scored his first NHL-goal in the 3-2 shootout loss. 

 

 

In Monsters alumni news, Sonny Milano made waves in the NHL to start the season with a between-the-legs goal during the Blue Jackets’ 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Oct. 16.  

 

Milano made Columbus’ roster out of training camp and has appeared in 15 games, totaling six points (3G, 3A) and 12 penalty minutes.

 

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the Blue Jackets placed the recently-recalled Kole Sherwood on IR, prompting the Columbus to recall Markus Hannikainen from assignment in Cleveland.

After a 4-2 home loss against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Tuesday night, the Monsters look to get back on track with a match up in Rochester against the Americans at 7:05 Friday night. Up next, the Blue Jackets will simultaneously take on the St. Louis Blues in Columbus at Nationwide Arena.