MONSTERS SPLIT SERIES WITH COMETS AFTER a DOMINANT 6-1 WIN

The Cleveland Monsters split their two-game series against the Utica Comets, bouncing back from a 3-2 loss on Wednesday night with a commanding 6-1 victory on Thursday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With the win, the Monsters improved to 17-7-1-2, maintaining their position atop the AHL’s North Division standings.

GAME 1: MONSTERS STUMBLE IN 3-2 LOSS TO COMETS

DEC 18, 2024 – The Monsters took an early lead in the first game of the series with Hunter McKown finding the net at 13:49 in the opening frame, assisted by Trey Fix-Wolansky and Zach Sawchenko. However, Utica responded in the second period with two goals from Adam Beckman at 1:07 and 6:17, putting the Comets ahead. Rocco Grimaldi tied the game at 10:14 with help from Fix-Wolansky and Corson Ceulemans, setting up a tight third period. Despite a strong battle, the Monsters couldn’t hold off the Comets, as Mike Hardman scored the game-winner at 13:24 in the final frame, securing Utica’s 3-2 victory.

Cleveland’s goaltender, Zach Sawchenko, made 32 saves in the loss, while Utica’s Isaac Poulter stopped 28 shots to earn the win.

GAME 2: MONSTERS SKATE PAST COMETS WITH 6-1 WIN

DEC 19, 2024 – The Monsters responded emphatically in the rematch, dominating the Comets with a 6-1 win. Luca Del Bel Belluz kicked off the scoring early at 2:09 in the first period, assisted by Trey Fix-Wolansky and Rocco Grimaldi. Denton Mateychuk extended the lead at 11:13 with a goal set up by Owen Sillinger and Dylan Gambrell, giving Cleveland a 2-0 advantage heading into the first intermission.

Mateychuk continued his stellar performance, netting a power-play goal just 57 seconds into the second period with help from Grimaldi and Joseph LaBate. Although Utica’s Max Willam responded with a power-play goal at 5:56, the Monsters quickly regained control. Gavin Brindley struck at 9:46 off assists from Gambrell and Justin Pearson, sending Cleveland into the final intermission with a 4-1 lead.

The Monsters sealed the win with two more third-period goals. Gambrell capitalized on the power play at 10:35, assisted by Sillinger and Daemon Hunt, followed by Pearson finding the net at 11:06 off feeds from Ceulemans and McKown, bringing the final score to 6-1.

Cleveland’s goaltender Pavel Cajan secured the victory with 21 saves, while Utica’s Nico Daws faced 37 shots, stopping 31 in defeat.