The Lake Erie Monsters head into Syracuse and Toronto this weekend for two games that could ultimately make or break their hopes for a spot in the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Sitting two points behind the Crunch and trailing Toronto by five points, these games are critical if the Monsters wish to play beyond their regular season’s last game, April 11th versus Manitoba. With their 71 points, the Marlies hold down fourth place in the North Division, a seed that would represent the final playoff spot the North Division could have in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Essentially, these games are played with four points on the line, as giving two points to the opposition represents losing two as well in games that are of high importance in determining where teams stand by season’s end.

If the past is any indication of how the Monsters will fare this weekend, the team appears to be in good shape. This season, Lake Erie has posted a 5-1 record against the Crunch. Goaltender Tyler Weiman has recorded two of his league-leading six shutouts against Syracuse and the Monsters have outscored the Crunch 20-7 in the first six games of the season between the clubs. In their most recent contest against the Crunch, the Monsters tied their season high, winning by a six-goal margin, blowing past the Crunch by a 6-0 final on February 25th at Quicken Loans Arena.

Against Toronto, the Monsters have posted a 5-1-0-1 record this season. Weiman and Jason Bacashihua have teamed up to record two shutouts against the Marlies this season, as Weiman earned his first shutout of the season in a 3-0 win against the Marlies on November 1st while Bacashihua recorded his second consecutive shutout in a 2-0 Monsters win on February 27th at The Q. In the six games against the Marlies, the Monsters have outscored their North Division foe, 20-14.

The schedule doesn’t let up for Lake Erie, as the team continues its push for a playoff spot with a home-and-home set against the West Division-leading Milwaukee Admirals next Wednesday and Friday with Wednesday’s game at The Q.