The Lake Erie Monsters set a new franchise record with their sixth consecutive win and moved into sole possession of first place in the North Division with a 2-1 victory over the Rochester Americans in front of 6,461 at Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday night.

The Monsters, who had not played a home game since March 5th, entered Tuesday’s game on the strength of a five-game road winning streak.

The win also improved Lake Erie to 22-9-2-3 on home ice and 38-25-3-5 overall, while it marked the team’s 14th win in its last 17 games (14-3-0-0).

In a scoreless first period, Lake Erie outshot Rochester by a commanding 10-5 count.

Neither team managed to snap the scoreless tie in a middle frame in which the Monsters posted 11 shots compared to eight by the Amerks.

In third period, the Monsters took a 1-0 lead off a power play goal by Shawn Belle. From the right point, Belle rifled a slap shot that made its way through net-front traffic and into the net at the 1:06 mark. David van der Gulik (3G, 10A) and Ben Walter (1G, 9A) both assisted, pushing their point streaks to six games apiece.

Rochester answered quickly, as Kenndal McArdle’s wrist shot from the right circle snuck past Jason Bacashihua at 5:06 of the period. Clay Wilson and Chris Taylor assisted.

The Monsters went up 2-1 when Travis Gawryletz marked his fourth goal of the season by scoring at the 12:08 mark. Zach Cohen assisted for his second helper in as many games, while Matt Ford also assisted for his second point (1G, 1A) in as many outings.

Bacashihua stopped 20 of 21 shots faced in the win, marking his third straight victory.

At the other end, Marc Cheverie turned aside 31 of 33 shots faced.

The Monsters will travel to Rochester on Friday for a 7:35 p.m. rematch with the Amerks.

Three Stars: 1. LE Gawryletz (GW goal ); 2. LE Belle (1 goal); 3. RCH McArdle (1 goal)

 

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