Monsters Clinch Home Ice, Defeat Charlotte 3-1

With only two games until the Calder Cup Playoffs, and a playoff spot clinched up, the Lake Erie Monsters had only one thing on their mind. A win Thursday against the Charlotte Checkers meant home ice advantage during the pursuit of the franchise’s first Calder Cup.

The Monsters did just that after cruising to a 3-1 win in front of a home crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.

With the Columbus Blue Jackets finishing up their season last week, the Monsters had the benefit of some extra fire power, and fresh legs, from their NHL affiliate. Lake Erie is in the middle of a brutal stretch of 6 games in 8 days to finish out the season.

It didn’t take long for the extra help to pay dividends as the first goal of the game was scored by former Blue Jacket, Oliver Bjorkstrand two minutes into the second period. Lucas Sedlak added a goal of his own a few minutes later, assisted by another Blue Jacket, Defenseman Justin Falk.

The goal, Sedlack’s 14th of the season, extended his streak of consecutive games with a goal to seven.

With the changes to the roster over the last few days, some disconnect was expected within the Monsters’ special teams. That disconnect showed itself early on in the third period when the very reliable penalty killing unit (3rd in the AHL) allowed a power play goal to Checkers Right Wing, Justin Shugg.

That would be the only goal of the night for the Carolina Hurricanes’ affiliate, as Monsters’ netminder Anton Forsberg continued his stellar play with 32 saves on 33 shots. Solid play in between the pipes has been key to the Monsters’ recent success, going 8-1-1-0 in their last ten games.

Despite the early bump in the road, the penalty killing unit looked outstanding, killing four of five power play opportunities. If they make a deep run into the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Monsters will do it by relying on what got them there in the first place: Great goaltending and defense.

The Monsters will finish up the regular season Friday night with a rematch against the Checkers at Quicken Loans Arena.