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AHL Cleveland Monsters

Big third dooms Monsters

October 14, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Monsters News Release


The Toronto Marlies third period offensive fury forced the Monsters onto their heels, as they fell in the second meeting of the season, 6-2, at home.

As was the case in the previous meeting against Toronto last Friday, Mike Wall saw a flurry of shots in his own end early in the game. To his credit, Wall met many of the Marlies offensive weapons with a swift right glove hand, stopping 12 of 13 shots in the first period.

The lone goal of the period was scored by Marlies left wing Colin Murphy at the 8:31 mark. Murphy's goal was one of 13 opportunities the Marlies had versus the Monsters, who managed just three shots.

Lake Erie started the second period with an increased physical effort in the offensive zone as they fired 13 shots at opposing goaltender Justin Pogge. The Marlies goalie successfully denied each, however the Monsters up-tempo offensive push helped keep the puck in the zone for a significant set of opportunities.

The Monsters seemed to find their stride in transition as the passes went tape to tape with precision. "We did to them in the second what they did to us in the first period. They came in and took the play to us in the first period, and I thought we responded well in the second. Then, we took it to them, but unfortunately we couldn't cash in on our opportunities. We got some guys that are getting chances and they're not finishing right now, which is too bad, but it wasn't from lack of effort that period," said Head Coach Joe Sacco.

In the Toronto zone, the Monsters looked as if they had a new sense of intensity as the second period progressed. "Usually in the second period we've been brutal. I think it's just a mindset. We need to approach every period as we approach any other. Tonight's second period was a lot better. In the second period we had the puck in deep and we were cycling more," said Monsters center Matt Hussey.

As the third period began, the Monsters quickly found themselves buried in their own end. However by the third minute of the period, the Monsters forced the puck down the ice following a save by Wall.

Cody McCleod skated into the Marlies zone and found Cody McCormick to the right of the goal. McCormick found some space and launched a wrist shot from just shy of the right hash and buried it in the net.

The goal marks the first tally in over 102:00 minutes of play. Less than 90 seconds later at the 5:38 mark, T.J. Hensick netted a marker of his own, his first of the season and first in his AHL career.

The Monsters resurfacing on the offensive end in the third period also awoke the Marlies in the Monsters zone, as they put together four unanswered goals.

Leading the way for Toronto was defenseman Anton Strahlman who recorded three assists on the evening.

Toronto goaltender Pogge made 21 saves on 23 shots while Wall faced 34 shots and turned away 28.

Tuesday and Wednesday, the Monsters face-off against the Iowa Stars, the top affiliate for the NHL's Dallas Stars. Both games begin at 7:00 p.m. at The Q.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2007


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