Monsters Scare Amerks Out of Cleveland

The Amerks ended the first period with a 1-0 lead but as the story of the season goes that lead disappeared in the second, the Monsters went on to win 7-2.

David Brine scored the Amerks first goal as he knocked in a shot from Mike Weber who was at the point.  The Amerks also had three power play opportunities in the first period but failed to produce on any of them.  They also managed to stay out of the penalty box.

After the first period it appeared as if it was going to be another close game, but we should’ve known better than to expect a decent game two nights in a row.  The shots appear as if the game was even, but the Monsters were skating circles around the Amerks for the last two periods.

The second goal by Dylan Hunter was his 9th of season which made it a 3-2 game in favor of the Monsters.  As Mark Mancari was tied up crossing the blue line he got the pass over to Hunter who put the puck in the net from the top of the face off circle.  The was the last offense we really saw for the rest of the game.

 Adam Dennis was pulled half way through the second period after getting four goals scored on him, Tyler Plante finished the game and allowed three.

Marc-Andre Gragnani played on defense and finished the game at a -4, bringing his +/- rating for this season to a -23.  He was put on defense due to the fact that Mike Funk was injured on Friday night.  If only the Sabres cared enough to provide the Amerks with another defenseman, Gragnani is much better playing on the offense.

The Monsters 6th goal was the 14th short handed goal this season that the Amerks have allowed.

The Amerks have now lost 24 of 26 games.  That span includes a 10 game losing streak, 6 game streak, and now an 8 game losing streak.

The Amerks play a home and home series next weekend with the Toronto Marlies.  It’ll take a miracle as chances are the team will be playing against the Crunch on February 6th to try and stay out of the record books for longest losing streak in Amerks history at 11 games.