by A resilient team this time of the year can prove to be the deciding factor whether a team will be playing past the regular season. The Monsters continue to show that for the 2nd time this week. Tying the game late in the 3rd and claiming the extra point in overtime by a final score of 3-2 over the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
Recalls are common for minor league teams especially this close to the end of the regular season. The Monsters led by Trent Vogelhuber has been undermanned of late with 5 of their 6 leading scorers not available due to emergency recalls with the Blue Jackets. “Everybody is committed, sticking with it and never losing belief is something hard to teach.” Vogelhuber said following the come from behind win on Sunday afternoon.
Following a scoreless 1st period that saw the Monsters get outshot 10-6 by the Penguins. A quick start after the intermission put the Monsters in front thanks to a great feed from Roman Ahcan. A quick pass from behind the net to a streaking Justin Pearson who one timed it home for his 6th tally of the season. Former Blackhawk Vinnie Hinostroza knotted the game up at 1 on the power play from the right faceoff circle. The Monsters continued to apply the pressure with multiple breakaways most notably from Owen Sillinger who hit the post on his chance.
Starting goaltender Jet Greaves, who tied the Monsters single season win total with 27th victory this afternoon. Kept his club in the game with save after save on penalty kills and odd man rushes. Vogelhuber praised Greaves by saying “He played great, he’s just steady, he makes saves he’s supposed to and saves he’s not supposed to. He gives us a chance to win every night.” A broken play led to the Penguins taking the lead for the first time in the game midway through the 3rd.
A timeout was taken by Cleveland with the goalie pulled, on the ensuing faceoff the game would be tied. David Jiricek let go a slap shot from the point that found the back of the net to bring the crowd of 10,182 to their feet at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Despite being outshot 33-16 going into the extra frame, the Monsters felt the most comfortable with their 9-3 overtime record. On Tuesday, Cleveland defeated Grand Rapids in overtime on the power play and today it was the same result. Stanislav Svozil scored the game winner (his 2nd of the season) on a perfect wrist shot.
This was the first Cleveland Monsters win on St. Patrick’s Day in franchise history. Gaining the extra point gives the Monsters a two-point lead in the division standings over the Syracuse Crunch for first place. Justin Pearson after the game said, “We’ll enjoy this one tonight, but we have to come with the same energy tomorrow and get our minds right for another tough test against this same Penguins team.”
