AHL Playoffs: Semifinals Game 3 Preview | Cleveland Monsters vs. Belleville Senators | 5/8/2024

The Cleveland Monsters and the Belleville Senators are preparing for a highly anticipated Game 3 of the North Division Semifinals, which will take place on Wednesday night at 7:00 PM ET in Cleveland, Ohio. The AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Monsters, will be facing off against the Ottawa Senators’ AHL affiliate, the Senators, in a crucial matchup that will play a factor in who moves on to the next round of the 5-game series. Currently, the series is tied at 1-1, making Game 3 a pivotal moment for both teams.

The Senators won Game 1 with a final score of 2-1, where the second period proved to be the game’s main decider. All 3 goals of the game were scored in the second period, and the Belleville goaltender Mags Sogaard was exceptional, allowing only 1 goal. The Monsters, on the other hand, won Game 2 4-3 in an overtime thriller on Friday night. Cole Clayton scored the game-winning goal, sending the Monsters home with a chance to win the next two games and take the series. The Monsters will be feeding off the energy at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse for these final games, so the Senators will have to continue their shutdown defense and goaltending like Game 1 if they want to have a chance at victory. As the series is so evenly matched, it’s anyone’s game, and fans of both teams are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling matchup.

Players to Watch (Cleveland Monsters):
Cole Clayton – Game-Winning Goal in Overtime (Game 2, Round 2) – provides depth scoring
Jet Greaves – 36/39 Saves (Game 2, Round 2), called up to the Columbus Blue Jackets during regular-season
Josh Dunne – 2 Goals in 2 Games (2024 Calder Cup Playoffs)

Players to Watch (Belleville Senators):
Mads Sogaard – 3-2 record, 0.903 Save Percentage, 13 GA in 5 Games Played (2024 Calder Cup Playoffs) – 31/32 Saves (Game 1, Round 2)
Garret Pilon- 3 Goals, 2 Assists (2024 Calder Cup Playoffs)
Stephen Halliday – 1 Goal, 4 Assists (2024 Calder Cup Playoffs)

Where to Listen/Watch:
Cleveland Monsters (Home Audio) – 1350 AM Cleveland The Gambler
Belleville Senators (Away Audio) – Belleville Senators Entertainment Network
Watch – AHL TV

Series Schedule:

ITR 30: Down The Stretch – Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as they discuss the NHL General Managers Meetings, Connor Bedard's antics, Mikko Rantanen returning to Colorado, Gabriel Landeskog resumes skating with the team, Ovechkin's Gr8 Chase, and NHL Playoff updates.

1. ITR 30: Down The Stretch 59:42
2. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review 01:02:40
3. ITR 28: Deadline Week 44:07
4. ITR 27: Trade Season Begins 01:07:33
5. ITR 26: 2 Nations Fighting 42:17