|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Monsters Contributions with Avalanche  |
| |
In a return to the playoffs for the 11th time in the 12 seasons of the teams’ history, the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) received numerous contributions from its top affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters.
Monsters forwards T.J. Hensick, David Jones, Cody McCormick, Cody McLeod and Wyatt Smith each played in at least one game of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Hensick (1 assist), Jones (1 assist), McCormick (1 assist) and McLeod (1 goal, 1 assist) each recorded at least a point in the two series. Jones (23 years old), McLeod (23) and Hensick (22) are all rookies.
Hensick (15:29), Jones (11:49), McCormick (11:52), McLeod (12:22) and Smith (10:47) each averaged more than 10 minutes on ice per game in the playoffs this season.
In 10 games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, McLeod finished second in the league in penalty minutes with 26 (first among all rookies).
The Monsters contributions were most evident in pivotal games of both series’. In Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Red Wings, McLeod scored the first goal of the game for the Avs in the first period off a pass from Hensick, who made his first career playoff start. Prior to that, in the series-clinching Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Minnesota Wild, Jones recorded the game-winning assist that put the Avs overtop of the Wild.
Four other Monsters players saw playing time with the Avalanche this season, including: Johnny Boychuk, Kyle Cumiskey, Brad Richardson and Tyler Weiman.
On the season, 11 total Monsters players were called up to the Avalanche.
The Lake Erie Monsters are part of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization and also owned by a group led by Cavaliers Majority Owner and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|