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AHL Cleveland Monsters

Monsters Top Checkers 3-2, Head for Holidays

December 22, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Cleveland Monsters News Release


CLEVELAND - The AHL's defending Calder Cup Champions, the Cleveland Monsters, proudly powered by Constellation, defeated the Charlotte Checkers on Thursday at The Q by a final score of 3-2. With the win, the Monsters improved to 15-11-1-2 overall this season and with a .569 points percentage, currently sit alone in third place in the AHL's Central Division standings.

The Monsters claimed a 1-0 lead on Thursday thanks to a nifty backhand finish from Sonny Milano on a penalty shot attempt at 9:20 of the opening period. Later in the frame, John Ramage and Aaron Palushaj combined to set up Justin Scott for a point-blank redirection at 17:01 that made it 2-0 Cleveland heading into the middle stanza.

Scott pushed the Monsters' edge to 3-0 with an unassisted even-strength finish at 14:35 of the second before the Checkers spoiled the shutout bid of Cleveland net-minder Anton Forsberg at 18:25 with a Connor Brickley five-on-five score that drew Charlotte within a pair at 3-1 entering the final frame. The Checkers pulled within a goal at 8:47 of the third when Lucas Wallmark scored on the power-play, but the Monsters held on down the stretch for a 3-2 victory. The win extended Cleveland's season-long point streak to eight games and was the Monsters' seventh triumph in the team's past eight games.

Forsberg improved to 10-6-1 in net for the Monsters by virtue of a 19-save performance while Michael Leighton fell to 7-3-2 between the pipes for Charlotte despite stopping 25 of the 28 pucks he faced on Thursday.

Next up for the Monsters, it's a Wednesday home clash vs. the Grand Rapids Griffins with full coverage, live from The Q, underway at 7:00 pm on 99X, Sports Time Ohio and the Monsters Hockey Network.

Tickets for every Monsters home game start at just $10 and are on sale now! Full and partial season ticket memberships are also available and provide you with the best seat locations, custom member benefits and the lowest ticket prices. Group outing and birthday bash packages for 10 or more people are also on sale now. All tickets can be purchased by visiting 0, calling (216) 420-0000, visiting The Q Box Office or any Northern Ohio Discount Drug Mart. Be sure to follow the Monsters on Twitter @monstershockey, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clevelandmonsters, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/monstershockey .

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