The Monsters (24-21-3-4) have won three in a row and are in third place in the Western Conference North Division.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The sizzling Monsters and their goal-scoring machine, Mark Olver, were at it again Saturday night.
Olver's tally early in the third period triggered a 4-1 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs at The Q. A crowd of 11,132 created an electric, old-time-hockey atmosphere. Fans watching on TV also had the opportunity to watch one of Lake Erie's most complete games of the season.
The Monsters (24-21-3-4) have won three in a row and are in third place in the Western Conference North Division. They defeated the division-leading Bulldogs twice in three days, including 2-1 on Thursday in Hamilton.
The Bulldogs (27-15-1-4) are one point ahead of Manitoba and four clear of Lake Erie.
"I've liked our team since day one, and I couldn't be happier with the progress we've made," Monsters coach David Quinn said. "Our work ethic has been outstanding. We've had a great month; obviously, you want to end it the way we did."
The Monsters were 10-6 in January, including 8-2 since Jan. 14.
At 1:07 of the third, Olver sliced down the left edge of the slot and went top shelf to beat goalie Curtis Sanford for a 2-1 advantage. Monsters winger Justin Mercier, having sped through the slot ahead of Olver, set up the play.
Olver, a rookie center, has nine goals in his last 10 games and 20 goals in 47 games overall.
"It's easy to score goals when your team's playing so well," Olver said.
Thursday in Hamilton, Olver lit the lamp midway through the third to give Lake Erie the 2-1 lead. Beyond his ability to put the puck in the net, Olver is a royal pain to the opposition, constantly disrupting its flow with tenacity and physicality.
Olver is scheduled to take part in Sunday's AHL All-Star festivities (skills competition) and Monday (game) in Hershey, Pa.
"Mark is going to the All-Star Game for a reason," Quinn said. "He has great individual skills, and he works hard. He has a bright future."
The Monsters created a two-goal cushion at 9:56 when Ben Walter banked the puck off Sanford's pads from an ultra-tight angle on the right. Sanford (34 saves) entered with an AHL-leading .940 save percentage.
Walter's goal came on the power play. The Monsters were 2-for-6 with the man-advantage. Patrick Rissmiller notched an empty-netter in the final minute for the final margin. Rissmiller finished with two goals.
Goalie John Grahame (18 saves) earned his 13th victory.
The Monsters held a 38-19 advantage in shots. They out-shot Hamilton, 25-10, through two periods but the score was tied, 1-1.
The Monsters are 3-0 against Hamilton at The Q this season. They have outscored the Bulldogs, 12-2 in those games.
Among the guests in attendance were Indians Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley, Tony Sipp and Matt LaPorta and manager Manny Acta. The players signed autographs in the concourse before the game while Acta was busy meeting and greeting. Choo participated in the ceremonial puck drop.
Lake Erie, off for the All-Star break, does not play again until Friday against San Antonio at The Q.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/monsters/index.ssf/2011/01/lake_erie_monsters_defeat_hami.html
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