Monsters Take 2-0 Lead in North Division Finals Series After 4-1 Win against Crunch

May 18, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Monsters News Release

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Monsters beat the Syracuse Crunch 4-1 on Saturday evening at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With the win, the Monsters lead the North Division Finals best-of-five series 2-0.

The Crunch struck first with a power-play goal from Devante Stephens at 8:07 of the opening period, but Billy Sweezey responded with a tally at 11:28 assisted by Hunter McKown and Marcus Bjork to tie the game. McKown recorded an unassisted goal at 15:18 sending Cleveland to the first intermission leading 2-1. Following a scoreless middle frame, Jakub Zboril converted on the man advantage at 4:37 of the third period with helpers from David Jiricek and Owen Sillinger. Alex Whelan put the game away with an empty-net goal assisted by Justin Pearson bringing the final score to 4-1.

Cleveland's Jet Greaves stopped 17 shots for the win while Syracuse's Brandon Halverson made 24 saves in defeat.

The Monsters and Crunch drop the puck for Game 3 of the North Division Finals on Wednesday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m. at Upstate Medical University Arena. Follow the games with full coverage on FOX Sports 1350 'The Gambler', AHLTV and the Monsters Hockey Network.

Stay up to date on all Monsters news with the Monsters Mobile App presented by University Hospitals available to download at the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Be sure to follow the Monsters on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Scoring:

1st 2nd 3rd OT Final

CLE 2 0 2 - 4

SYR 1 0 0 - 1

Shots/Special Teams:

Shots PP PK PIM

CLE 28 1/3 3/4 12 min / 6 inf

SYR 18 1/4 2/3 10 min / 5 inf

Goaltenders:

Goaltender Outcome Saves GA Playoff Record

CLE Greaves W 17 1 5-1-0

SYR Halverson L 24 3 3-4-0

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