Monsters Wrap Up Road Trip in Utica
Jan 18, 2020In the first of four meetings between the two teams this season, the Cleveland Monsters, affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, drop the puck vs. the Utica Comets, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, on Saturday with full coverage, live from Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, NY, underway at 7:00 pm on Alt 99.1, AHLTV and the Monsters Hockey Network.
MONSTERS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 4-3 road shootout win over the Rochester Americans on Friday, the Cleveland Monsters enter tonight’s game at 18-19-1-2 on the season. With 39 points, the Monsters currently rank seventh in the AHL’s North Division standings and 13th in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is currently led in scoring by D Adam Clendening (6-23-29), LW Nathan Gerbe (8-17-25) and C Stefan Matteau (9-11-20).
COMETS PRE-SCOUT: Following a 6-3 home win over the Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday, the Utica Comets enter tonight’s game at 24-13-2-2 on the season. With 52 points, the Comets currently rank first in the AHL’s North Division standings and second in the Eastern Conference. Utica is currently led in scoring by LW Reid Boucher (22-23-45), D Brogan Rafferty (6-31-37) and LW Nickolay Goldobin (13-23-36).
REGULAR-SEASON SERIES: Saturday marks the first of four meetings between the Monsters and Comets this season and the first of two clashes between the two teams at Adirondack Bank Center this year.
MONSTERS GOALTENDERS:
| 35 Veini Vehvilainen | OVERALL |
20 GP, (9-10-1), 2 SO, 2.25 GAA, .917 S% |
| LAST APP. |
(29/32) in 4-3 SOW at ROC 1/17/20 |
|
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | N/A | |
| ON THE ROAD | 10 GP, (5-4-1), 0 SO, 2.38 GAA, .894 S% | |
| 39 Brad Thiessen | OVERALL | 1 GP, (1-0-0), 0 SO, 4.00 GAA, .875 S% |
| LAST APP. | (14/15) in 0-2 L at LV 1/12/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | N/A | |
| ON THE ROAD | 1 GP, (0-1-0), 0 SO, 1.03 GAA, .933 S% |
COMETS GOALTENDERS:
| 31 Zane MacIntyre | OVERALL | 21 GP, (11-7-2), 0 SO, 3.08 GAA, .898 S% |
| LAST APP. | (5/7) in first 11:50 of 6-3 W vs HFD 1/17/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | N/A | |
| AT HOME | 13 GP, (5-5-2), 0 SO, 3.05 GAA, .898 S% | |
| 32 Richard Bachman | OVERALL |
3 GP, (1-1-1), 0 SO, 3.25 GAA, .909 S% |
| LAST APP. | (23/26) in 4-3 W at ROC 12/21/19 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | N/A | |
| AT HOME | N/A | |
| 64 Michael DiPietro | OVERALL | 20 GP, (12-5-1), 0 SO, 2.73 GAA, .907 S% |
| LAST APP. | (20/21) in 48:10 of relief in 6-3 W vs HFD 1/17/20 | |
| HEAD-TO-HEAD | N/A | |
| AT HOME | 13 GP, (7-3-1), 0 SO, 2.85 GAA, .899 S% |
KEYS TO SUCCESS:
- SHORTHANDED SPECIALISTS: Monsters D Andrew Peeke and D Gabriel Carlsson currently rank tied for third in the AHL with two shorthanded assists apiece this season.
- THE FIX IS IN: Cleveland RW Trey Fix-Wolansky has three points to his credit in his last two appearances.
- TERRIFIC THURKAUF: Monsters LW Calvin Thurkauf is scoring at a point per game pace in his last six appearances (2-4-6).