Monsters vs Marlies Live Game Updates : Welcome to the Black Friday Parade
Photo Credit: Cleveland Monsters
The Cleveland Monsters head into tonight’s game against the Toronto Marlies looking to extend their franchise record winning streak to 10 games. Over the course of 10 games in two seasons, the Marlies have yet to walk away with a win over the Monsters.
Earlier today, goaltender Jet Greaves was sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets on an emergency recall. Zach Sawchenko will likely get the start in net for Cleveland tonight.
Officials
Referees : Chris Rumble (65), Jake Rekucki (84)
Linesperson: Devon Gale (97), Felix-Antoine Voyer (33)
Cleveland Lineup
Forwards
Trey Fix-Wolansky - Luca Del Bel Belluz - Gavin Brindley
Rocco Grimaldi - Owen Sillinger - Mikael Pyyhtia
James Malatesta - Hunter Mckown - Roman Ahcan
Max Mccue - Curtis Hall - Justin Pearson
Defense
Denton Mateychuk - Madison Bowey
Samuel Knazko - David Jiricek
Corson Ceulemans - Cole Clayton
Goatenders
Zach Sawchenko - Pavel Cajan
Start of the 1st Period - Monsters 0, Marlies 0
Cleveland’s own The Miz had the honor of dropping the puck for tonight’s game against Toronto. The crowd went absolutely wild for the two-time WWE Championship wrestler.
GOAL - Power Play- 1st Period, 4:53 - Monsters 1, Marlies 0
Cleveland gets on the board first with a slapper from Assistant Captain Trey Fix-Wolansky.
Rocco Grimaldi earned the secondary assist on the goal giving him 11 straight games with a point.
GOAL - 1st Period,5:26 - Monsters 2, Marlies 0
Samuel Knazko beautifully passed the puck along the blue line to David Jiricek, who wound up and launched the puck toward the net.
This is Jiricek’s second goal of the season.
End of the 1st - Monsters 2, Marlies 0
After Cleveland scored two quick goals to start the first, Toronto kicked things up a notch and began rushing the net at top speed. Multiple times this resulted in a few of the Marlies knocking over Sawchenko. With each rush, tempers began to boil over because the Monsters were unhappy with the lack of space the Marlies gave their previous goaltender.
During the first, Fix-Wolansky looked like he was living his best life. He was skating around the ice without a care in the world. Fix was just trying to Live, Laugh, Score Goals.
Start of the 2nd Period - Monsters 2, Marlies 0
2nd period, 6:00 - Marlies Have The Zoomies
The Toronto Marlies were flying around the ice at the start of the second period. The Cleveland Monsters gave them a little breathing room and are watching their every move.
At times it looked like the Monsters were waiting for a puppy to stop having the zoomies.
2nd Period, 9:00 - Hemmed in the Defensive Zone
Cleveland spent much of the first nine minutes of the second period stuck in their defensive zone. You could see Sawchenko tracking the play with his eyes and his body.
End of the 2nd period - Monsters 2, Marlies 0
Yet again, towards the end of the period, tempers began to boil over between the Monsters and Marlies. However, every time they tried to fight, the refs quickly stepped in and stopped the impending kerfuffle. Fans are not happy about this. It appears that one of the things they wanted to see tonight was blood.
Start of the 3rd - Monsters 2, Marlies 0
2nd Period, 6:25 - The Start of Some Mayhem
Cleveland forward Owen Sillinger hooked one of the Marlies causing the two teams to start aggressively dancing with one another. When the refs finally got things calmed down, Corson Ceuelmans and Toronto’s Marshal Rifai started to speak ill of one another. Monsters defenseman Cole Clayton had heard enough and gave Rifai a love tap on the jaw.
The refs didn’t let a full fight happen, but it’s clear either side doesn’t care that the refs wanted a friendly game tonight.
2nd Period, 17:40 - The Goalie Has Been Pulled
After taking a timeout, the Marlies pulled goaltender Dennis Hildeby for the extra attacker. On the next play the Monsters were able to clear the puck and almost score on the empty net.
Just as Toronto was gaining momentum, Roni Hirvonen took a slashing penalty forcing Toronto to put Hildeby back in net.
Final - Monsters 2, Marlies 0
Cleveland extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 2-0 win over Toronto.
Three Stars
1st - Cleveland - Zach Sawchenko - 33 Shots Faced, 33 Saves, TOI 60:00, Shutout
2nd - Cleveland - Trey Fix-Wolansky - 1g, 0a
3rd - Cleveland - Cole Clayton - 0g, 0a
Unsung Hero
Defender Captain Cole Clayton earns the honor of tonight’s Unsung Hero Award. Since coming back from his injury a few games ago, Clayton has been a strong defensive presence on the ice.
Post Game Presser
Head Coach Trent Vogelhuber, Defender David Jiricek, and Goaltender Zach Sawchenko spoke with the media after the game to discuss the game.
Vogelhuber said the Monsters are not trying to beat the 16-game winning streak the Cleveland Cavaliers went on earlier this season.
Jiricek took time to talk about how he loves to play big minutes and enjoys the crowd in Cleveland.
Sawchenko explained why he and Jiricek have a really good goalie-defender relationship.
Listen to post game below to hear more about the game from their point of view
