One of my favorite soundbites from yesterday’s practice was from Pontus Åberg. He was highlighted tonight’s game against the Cleveland Monsters by saying, “We owe them.” And he is absolutely right.

The last time these two teams met the Admirals lost 5-2 to the Monsters on home ice. It was that game that triggered a punishing practice and demand for the Admirals to get back to a “defense first” mentality and to play as a team rather than as individuals. Don’t think for a second that the previous meeting between the two teams won’t add extra motivation for the Admirals tonight.

The Monsters enter tonight’s game with a record of 20-18-2-3 (45 points, 0.523 points percentage). They are in fifth place of the Central Division and eleventh place in the Western Conference standings. They have gone 3-5-1-1 from their last 10 games. They have also been shutout 3 times in their last 6 games including a goalless drought of 145:21 of ice time that is active upon puck drop tonight.

Needless to say, the Monsters offense has been a big problem. What is odd about it though is the team has stayed in tact throughout the process. The Monsters have plenty of players that can deliver the goods. They just haven’t.

Offensively, the Monsters do have 5 players with 20 points or more this season: T.J. Tynan, 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists)… Sonny Milano, 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists)… Alex Broadhurst, 22 points (9 goals, 13 assists)… Oliver Bjorkstrand, 21 points (12 goals, 9 assists)… Daniel Zaar, 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists)…

Out of those names the Monsters have produced just 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) since they play last played against the Admirals – all of which came during a 4 game homestand.

In net the Monsters currently have Anton Forsberg and Brad Thiessen. The Swede has the edge over the Canadian in terms of games played in the AHL this season but their numbers are really close. Forsberg has a record of 13-10-0-2 in 27 appearances for the Monsters this season with a 2.28 goals against average, 0.925 save percentage, and a shutout to his name. Thiessen has a 1-3-1-0 record from 5 appearances as a member of the Monsters this season where he has put up 2.21 goals against average, 0.926 save percentage, and also has a lone shutout.

Expectations for tonight’s game? How do you feel Mike Ribeiro will play for the Milwaukee Admirals? Given the weekend results how important is this week for the Admirals to take advantage of a solid homestand?

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