Lake Erie Monsters Hold Off Reign 3-2 in Game 2; Take 2-0 Series Lead Heading Back to CLE

The Lake Erie Monsters’ roll continues, as Cleveland’s hockey club left the west coast taking two out of two contests to start the Conference Finals against the Ontario Reign, winning Game 2 by a score of 3-2 on Sunday night in California.

The Monsters jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, thanks to goals from Markus Hannikainen and Lukas Sedlak that were just 12 seconds apart from one another.

Here’s Sedlak’s sixth goal of the playoffs and second of the series:

Don't blink. Two goals in 12 seconds puts @monstershockey up 2-0. #ONTvsLE #CalderCuphttps://t.co/7p6yFc5muP

— AHL (@TheAHL) May 23, 2016

The Monsters would lead 2-0 after one frame and T.J. Tynan would add on to that lead in the second period, scoring his first goal of the playoffs.

Tynan represented the Monsters in the AHL All-Star Game and is beloved for his unselfishness and passing, but tonight he scored what proved to be the difference in the game.

T.J. Tynan's first goal of the playoffs gives @monstershockey a 3-0 lead in the second period #ONTvsLE pic.twitter.com/kd7Fqm24vE

— AHL (@TheAHL) May 23, 2016

The Reign would look to regroup themselves down 3-0 heading into the final period of play.

Monsters goaltender Anton Forsberg’s shutout would come to an end just 5:31 into the third period, as Paul Bissonnette put his team on the board to make it a 3-1 game.

Seven minutes later, Kevin Gravel struck again for Ontario, making it a one-goal game with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation.

The Monsters held their ground in a hostile environment, closing out the game strong, as Lake Erie’s defense kept the Reign off the board for the final seven minutes and the Monsters would exit the California ice with a 2-0 advantage in the series.

Forsberg saved 27 of 29 shots, improving to 3-0 in the playoffs, making just his second start in the postseason of his AHL career.

Game 3 is back in Cleveland on Tuesday night at 7 PM. Game 4 will be Thursday night at 7 PM. Game 5 if necessary will also be in Cleveland at 12 PM ET.

The Monsters are two wins away from advancing to the Calder Cup Final.