The I-71 Shift: 2017 Week Two in Cleveland Monsters Hockey

Week 2 of the Cleveland Monsters season would see them split a two-game homestand against a foe they had never before faced: the San Jose Baracuda.

At the beginning of the week, the Columbus Blue Jackets decided to shuffle some players around. After a disappointing start this season in Columbus, Markus Hannikainen has been assigned to the Cleveland Monsters.

This is a move that Columbus didn’t see making in the offseason, as they signed Hannikainen to a one-way contract. This means that the club must pay Hannikainen the same amount of money if he is playing in Cleveland or Columbus, although Hannikainen is still exempt from waivers due to the NHL rules. He is due to make $650,000 this season.

The Monsters also received Sam Vigneault this week. Vigneault was injured during Blue Jackets training camp, and he has recently been cleared to play. Signed to his ELC this summer, Vigneault can continue to improve his game as a member of the Monsters squad.

Related Story: Columbus Blue Jackets Sam Vigneault Out 4-6 Weeks

Game Four: The Tyler Motte Show

The Cleveland Monsters got off to a fast start in Saturday’s matinee game. Inside of the first minute, Carter Camper scored his second goal of the season for the Monsters. Blue Jackets’ prospects Hannikainen (1) and Tyler Motte (1)  both assisted on the goal. Despite three powerplay chances, the Monsters didn’t get on the board again in the first.

After starting the period with a few seconds of penalty left to kill, the Monsters almost immediately took another penalty from the same player, Hayden Hodgson. Luckily, his teammates were just as steady on this kill as well, keeping the Barracuda off the board.

In the 12th minute, defenseman John Ramage (1) scored the Monsters only goal in the second from either team.  It was unassisted. The rest of the second was quiet.

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Brandon Bollig put the Barracuda on the board with the first goal of the third period.  However, the third period was full of penalties by the Barracuda.  The Monsters were finally able to take advantage when Miles Koules (1) scored with helpers from Dean Kukan (1) and Motte (2).

Down 3-1 the Barracuda elected to pull their goalie.  The Monsters took advantage. Motte scored his first goal of the season to put the finishing touch on a three-point day.  Alex Broadhurst (1) and Cameron Gaunce (2) would receive credit for assisting on the play.

The Monsters won with a final score of 4-1.

Game Five: Goalie Showdown

Sunday’s game at Quicken Loans Arena was a much different contest.  Blue Jackets’ goalie prospect Matiss Kivlenieks started his second game of the season.

Unfortunately, no Monsters’ skater could find the back of the net.  Barracuda forward Michael Brodzinski eventually scored on Kivlenieks in OT.  Kivlenieks finished the game with 21 saves on 22 attempts.

Next: The I-71 Shift: 2017 Week One in Cleveland Monsters Hockey

Week Three Monsters Preview

On Tuesday, the Blue Jackets recalled Hannikainen after an injury to former Monster Lukas Sedlak during a Monday practice session. The CBJ front office also assigned forward Jordan Schroeder to the Monsters after completing his conditioning stint and clearing waivers.

This weekend, the Monsters have another series battle against the Ontario Reign. The Monsters have not played the Reign since sweeping them on the way to a 2016 Calder Cup Championship. Friday’s game is a 7:00 PM start. Saturday’s game is a 1:00 PM matinee.