Griffins host new-look Monsters with perfect home record on the line
Grand Rapids is 4-0 at Van Andel Arena and welcomes Cleveland and first-year head coach Nick Bootland on Friday night.
The Grand Rapids Griffins put a 4-0 home record on the line Friday when the Cleveland Monsters visit Van Andel Arena. The club lists the start time as 7 p.m. ET.
It is the third of eight meetings between the clubs this season and the first of four in Grand Rapids. The Griffins hold a 1-0-1-0 mark in the series so far.
Grand Rapids enters at 6-1-1-0, with 13 points from eight games. Shai Buium and Cameron Butler scored in the third period of Wednesday’s 4-3 win over Manitoba.
Grand Rapids has converted 26.2% of its power plays, fifth in the AHL, and killed 97.1% of its penalties to lead the league. Cleveland’s corresponding rates are 20.6% and 70.0%, according to the Griffins’ game notes.
Steven Lorentz has six goals and an assist in six games to lead Cleveland with seven points. The Monsters are playing under new head coach Nick Bootland.
Goaltender Michal Postava, who has won all four of his AHL starts this season, will not be in the Griffins' net. Detroit recalled him on an emergency basis.
