Monsters at Marlies Preview, Live Game Updates, and Recap - Sunday Funday

The Cleveland Monsters and Toronto Marlies are back in action for a Sunday afternoon romp in Canada. Last night, the Monsters easily skated away with a 3-1 win over the Marlies. Don’t expect them to take the gas off the pedal because they won last night. Toronto spoiled Jet Greaves’ shutout with a few minutes left in the game and Cleveland is looking to help him get the shutout he deserves. 

Player To Watch

Since 2025 started, Cleveland goaltender Jet Greaves has been hot, hot, hot! Recently, he went 145:47 without giving up a goal in regulation or overtime. The more starts Greaves has the stronger he plays. His movements are getting quicker and his eyes are getting sharper. On top of that, the defense has been stepping up to give Greaves a moment to breathe and center himself for the next play. 

Officials

Referees : David Elford (56), Sean Kimmerly (35)
Linespeople : Kirsten Welsh (10), Brian Birkhoff (94)

Cleveland Lineup 

Forwards

Rocco Grimaldi - Luca Del Bel Belluz - Justin Pearson
Owen Sillinger - Dylan Gambrell - Gavin Brindley
Joseph LaBate - Hunter McKown - Roman Ahcan
Max McCue - Jake Gaudet - Cameron Butler

Defensemen

Daemon Hunt - Corson Ceulemans
Stanislav Svozil - Cole Clayton
Ole Julian Bjorgvik-Holm - Madison Bowey

Goalies

Jet Greaves - Zach Sawchenko

Toronto Lineup

Forwards

Abruzzese - Shaw - Steeves
Grebenkin - Minten - Nylander
Clifford - Pare - Blandisi
Barbolini - Quillan - Solow

Defensemen

Kokkonen - Benning
Rifai - Villeneuve
Webber - Niemela

Goalies

Murray - Akhtyamov

Start of 1st Period - Monsters 0, Marlies 0

1st Period, 5:00 - Inspired Marlies

The Toronto Marlies look inspired this afternoon. They are moving plays, rushing the net, blocking shooting lanes, and scooping up their own rebounds. Toronto looks significantly better today.

1st Period, 12:13 - Shotless Monsters

Cleveland is playing really good hockey in the defensive zone and the neutral zone. They are breaking up passes and sticking to Toronto like butter on rice. Unfortunately, they are struggling in the offensive zone. They are trying their hardest to get near the net, but the Marlies are shutting them down left and right.

The Monsters still do not have a registered shot on goal.

GOAL - 1st Period, 14:04 - Shorthanded - Monsters 0, Marlies 1

A turnover led to Cedric Pare scoring on the Marlies penalty kill. Initially, he whiffed on the shot but there was enough momentum to allow the puck to trickle through Greaves’ pads.

End of the 1st Period - Monsters 0, Marlies 1

Toronto had control of the entire first period allowing them to easily hold Cleveland to three shots. The Monsters didn’t register their first shot on goal until 14:21 into the game.

Start of the 2nd Period - Monsters 0, Marlies 1

2nd Period, 5:27 - Madison Bowey Does Good Things

Cleveland defender Madison Bowey is not a flashy player but does the little things well. He’ll stick on his man the entire play and then dump the opposition on the ground to prevent them from making a play.

2nd Period, 6:40 - Clifford Hits Ceulemans

Corson Ceulemans had to be helped off the ice by Cleveland trainer Tom Bourdon after he was hit by Kyle Clifford. Based on how Ceulemans went off the ice, I don’t forsee him coming back for the rest of the game.

GOAL - 2nd Period, 9:30 - Power Play - Monsters 1, Marlies 1

With 59 seconds left in the power play, Daemon Hunt slid the puck along the blue line to Gavin Brindley, who floated along the boards before veering right and driving the net. His effortless looking skating caused the Marlies to sit back instead of rushing for the puck.

End of the 2nd Period - Monsters 1, Marlies 1

Start of 3rd Period - Monsters 1, Marlies 1

GOAL - 3rd Period, 6:30 - Power Play - Monsters 1, Marlies 2

Alex Steeves gave Toronto the 2-1 lead after a series of beautiful pass unfolded on the power play. You could tell they were cooking up something good when the play started behind their own net on the other side of the nice.

GOAL - 3rd Period, 7:50 - Monsters 2, Marlies 2

Cameron Butler tied the game at two for the Cleveland Monsters 7:50 into the third period. Stanislav Svozil did a fantastic job of taking the puck away from Toronto in the corner to Greaves’ right to set the play in motion.

GOAL - 3rd Period, 15:19 - Monsters 3, Marlies 2

Luca Del Bel Belluz descended upon a lazy drop back pass by the Marlies and attempted a wrap around shot. Matt Murray was able to stop the shot but Rocco Grimaldi sped in to slam the rebound into the back of the net.

GOAL - 3rd Period - Monsters 4, Marlies 2

Shortly after Matt Murray left Toronto's net, Dylan Gambrell broke up a pass and launched the puck into the empty net.

Final - Monsters 4, Marlies 2

As the third period rolled along, Toronto became lazy and sloppy. It didn’t take long for Cleveland to capitalize on their lackluster play and comeback to win the game.

Three Stars

1st - CLEVELAND - Jet Greaves - 34 shots faced, 32 saves, 59:55 TOI

2nd - CLEVELAND - Luca Del Bel Belluz - 0 goal, 1 assist

3rd - CLEVELAND - Cameron Butler - 1 goal, 0 assist