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Monsters Outlast Griffins 4-3; Take 2-0 Series Lead

The Lake Erie Monsters continued their quest to the Calder Cup on Saturday afternoon at Quicken Loans Arena, facing off with the Grand Rapids Griffins to try to take a 2-0 lead in the Central Division Final.

It was a back and forth game, as the Monsters jumped out to an early lead, the Griffins fought back, and Ryan Craig and Daniel Zaar saved the day with two goals in the third period to win 4-3.

Sonny Milano got things started on the power play, scoring his second goal of the playoffs at the 14:39 mark of the first period, putting the Monsters up 1-0.

Milano was assisted by Kerby Rychel and Zach Werenski.

Lake Erie’s hot start would continue, as Steve Eminger would score his first goal of the playoffs, driving home a power play goal to make it 2-0 at the 17:44 mark of the first frame.

Eminger was assisted by Werenski and T.J. Tynan.

Monsters Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo’s shutout would stand until Eric Tangradi came through with a late power play goal to put Grand Rapids on the board with just 3.4 seconds left in the first period.

Anthony Mantha and Andy Miele assisted on the goal, which was Tangradi’s second of the post-season.

The Griffins would own the second period, as Xavier Ouellet scored his first goal of the playoffs, to tie the game at two just 2:05 into the frame.

The goal was assisted by Mitch Callahan and Andreas Athanasiou.

Goaltenders on both sides made some beautiful plays to keep the game deadlocked at two for the next 12 minutes.

Korpisalo made this gem midway through the second frame.

Griffins netminder Tom McCollum made a big stop of his own to answer back.

Miele would break the tie, scoring the go-ahead goal for the Griffins at the 14:58 mark of the second period to make it 3-2 in favor of Grand Rapids.

It was Miele’s first goal of the playoffs, and was assisted by Mantha and Mark Zengerle.

The Monsters would trail 3-2 after two periods of play.

Korpisalo made yet another beautiful save with about 15 minutes left in regulation to keep it a 3-2 game.

After 14 scoreless minutes to start the third period, the Monsters had a great chance on the power play, but McCollum snuffed it out.

Lake Erie kept chipping away, though, and 10 seconds later, Ryan Craig made it count, tying the game at three with 5:50 remaining in regulation.

Craig was assisted by Trent Vogelhuber and Justin Falk. It was his second goal of the playoffs.

Less than three minutes later, Daniel Zaar delivered to put the Monsters in front 4-3. It was Zaar’s second goal of the playoffs.

Zaar’s go-ahead goal was assisted by Vogelhuber and Jaime Sifers.

The Monsters would hold on to win 4-3 and take a 2-0 series lead. They head to Grand Rapids for a 4 PM showdown on Sunday evening.

Korpisalo made 23 saves in the win.

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Matt Medley is co-editor at NEO Sports Insiders, covers the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians and high school sports in Northeast Ohio. Follow @MedleyHoops on Twitter for live updates from games.

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