For a Limited Time Only – Daniil Tarasov

By The Numbers

Record: 14-7-1-0, 29 points, 1^st  in North Division
Goals/Game: 3.45
Goals Against/Game: 3.36
Shots Against/Game: 29.50
Power Play % (rank): 17.0% (20th)
Penalty Kill %  (rank): 77.6% (28^th)
Leading Scorer (Overall) : Trey Fix-Wolansky; 22
Most Goals: Carson Meyer; 11
Most Assists: Trey Fix-Wolansky; 16
(stats as of 12/10/2023)

The Cleveland Monsters started the month of December by playing six games over the course of eight days. After winning eight of 11 games in November, going 2-4-0-0 was not the ideal way to start a new month for the Monsters.

It wasn’t indicative to how each period was played either. But, there lies the problem for the Monsters. In December, they haven’t been able to consistently put together 60 full minutes of hockey.

Below are a few notes and quotes from the past week and a half for Cleveland.

To Roll 11-7, Or Not To Roll 11-7? That Is The Question

Cleveland kicked December off with a lineup featuring 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Typically, a coach doesn’t have the choice whether they are going to roll with a unique lineup or not. However, the lineup on December 2^nd was covered in Head Coach Trent Vogelhuber’s fingerprints.

Vogelhuber need to find different ways to keep legs fresh and minds sharp. “There’s only six spots back there normally. We have eight good defenders back there,” said Vogelhuber. “It’s an opportunity to keep more of them in.”

It’s not something Vogelhuber likes to do but it worked out well for them as they beat the Utica Comets, 4-2. “It’s not something I love to do when you have a lot of games. Because it can be strenuous on the forwards, but I thought we handled it well,” explained Vogelhuber. “We had all 11 forwards involved. It’s good to through out there sometimes.”

For A Limited Time Only; Daniil Tarasov

On December 2^nd, the Columbus Blue Jackets placed goaltender Daniil Tarasov on Long-Term Injured Reserve and loaned him to Cleveland on a LTIR conditioning assignment. Immediately, Tarasov was backstopping the Monsters to a 4-2 win over the Comets.

Not having played since March, Tarasov enjoyed getting back on the ice in a game setting. “It was really fun. Guys did a pretty decent job tonight,” said Tarasov of his first game back. “Made my game really easy.” One thing Tarasov liked about his return to play was the fact Cleveland spent a lot of time in t heir offensive zone. There were minute long stretches where Tarasov didn’t see a sing play up close. “In general, I would say ‘probably yes’ but tonight was my first game,” said Tarasov. “It was much easier for me.”

Plus, Tarasov was able to tap into the crowd’s energy.

Over 10,000 were in attendance for Tarasov’s return to play and they were loud from puck drop to the final horn. “They were awesome tonight. They were like helping us all night long. There was like six players on the ice. It was amazing,” said Tarasov of the wild Cleveland crowd on his debut night.

A few days later, on December 6^th, Columbus flipped his LTIR conditioning assignment to a regular conditioning assignment. The previous assignment only allowed for a maximum of six days or three games – whichever comes first. A regular conditioning assignment allows Tarasov to stay with the Monsters for 14 days.

Since then, Tarasov has played in three games securing an overtime win against the Hartford Wolfpack and a regulation loss against the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins. Saturday December 9^th was supposed to be his night off. However, the Monsters had him replace Cajan in net after  Hershey scored five unanswered goals in the first half of the game.

Tarasov only allowed one goal as relief.

Thus far during his conditioning stint, Tarasov has gradually gotten into the swing of things.  His movements are are smoother, leg work stronger, and his reaction times are getting quicker with each period he plays. Tarasov has definitely come a long from his injury but he’s not quite to the same level of skill as he was pre-injury. Having more time in Cleveland will allow him to grow his skillset and mental fortitude.

A Lesson Learned: Don’t Take Your Foot Off The Gas

On December 3^rd, the Monsters put up five fast goals in the first period against the Comets. Exciting, right? Well, it would have been Cleveland didn’t end up losing that game 7-6.

“We kind of talked about it after the first. This could turn into an 8-7 game and t hat’s not what we wanted,” said forward Luca Del Bell Belluz.  “We just let our foot off the gas and it’s something we can’t do.”

From this game, the players have a new goal – getting back to their winning ways.

“As you guys see, we are winning hockey games and we’re playing good hockey. We just kind of have to get back to that, “ said Del Bell Belluz.

Bad News Bears

The past two times Cleveland has played in Hershey, netminder Pavel Cajan had the distinct opportunity to start in net against a historically good Hershey Bears team with a chip on their shoulder. Cleveland opened the 2023-24 season on the road playing against the reigning Calder Cup Champs. Unfortunately, the night before the Monsters played the Bears, the Belleville Senators shutout Hershey on their banner raising night. The vengeance coursing through their veins led the Bears to take down the Monsters 5-2.

Fast forward to Friday December 8^th, 2023. Hershey was flying high on a nine-game winning-streak. It felt like nothing was going to stop them from streaking the entire season. But then, the Syracuse Crunch ended it with a 4-1 win on the road.

Who did Hershey play the next night? Cajan and the Monsters.

The Bears did not hold back and took down the Monsters by putting up six goals. Cleveland didn’t play with the same fire as they’ve typically played with this season. I’m not sure if it was the stomach bug that’s been going around or the recent multiple callups to the Jackets but Cleveland looked on the cusp of lethargy and were a hair off all game. On the plus side, they never stopped playing nor did they give up. Simply put, their play on December 9^th was just not good enough to match the level of play the Bears brought to the game. Especially on special teams. Their penalty kill was a bit of a disaster as they let in three power play goals against.

What’s Next?

Cleveland returns home on Thursday and Friday to take on the Senators who are just five points behind the Monsters in the standings. The Senators, Toronto Marlies, and Rochester Americans are tied for third place in the division with 24 points. If the Senators sweep the weekend, it will help them make a big leap up the leaderboard. On top of that, Belleville is on a six-game point-streak (4-0-1-1).

There is no doubt in my mind that the Senators will be putting up a huge fight this weekend. Cleveland needs to come out strong, not take their foot off the gas pedal, and play 60 straight minutes of hockey if they want to skate away with a weekend sweep.