The Monsters cruise though the Western Conference continued as they swept Ontario Reign, with a 2-1 win last night. Much like the previous series against Grand Rapids, this one ended in dramatic fashion.
Lukas Sedlak with the double OT game-winner sends @monstershockey to the #CalderCup Finals!https://t.co/021pbzdjap
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 27, 2016
Lukas Sedlak, fresh off of signing a contract extension with the Jackets, scored the game winner in double OT to send the Monsters to their first Calder Cup final, and first for a Cleveland based team since 1966. If that wasn’t enough, Sedlak also scored the Monsters first goal, giving him an AHL leading eight for the postseason.
Lukas Sedlak nets his 7th of the playoffs and gets the scoring started for @monstershockey. #ONTvsLE pic.twitter.com/QS6XK8wXkq
— AHL (@TheAHL) May 26, 2016
Sedlak has been absolutely on fire in the second half of the season.
Lukas Sedlak now has 18 goals in his last 23 games for @monstershockey, including an #AHL-high 8 this postseason
— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) May 27, 2016
He's having a fantastic stretch but keep in mind he's 23 and riding a very high shooting percentage. This isn't a guy that is going to make the Jackets next season and be an impact player. He's a fine AHL player who gives the Monsters some scoring depth.
Josh Anderson kept up his strong playoffs. He made a tremendous play to get the assist on that Sedlak game winner, his third point of the series. Anderson now has 12 points in 13 games and sits 5th in the AHL. He is a player who has definitely earned himself a long look in camp.
Zach Werenski had a down series based on the lofty expectations he's set with his play in the first two rounds. He only had one assist in the series. He still however has 11 points in 13 games, which ranks second among defencemen and 12th among all players. He's the kind of player who makes an impact every game regardless of scoring. He's so good defensively whether it be positioning or getting the puck out of the zone, he can do it. It is going to be awfully hard to keep him out of the NHL next season.
The Monster showed this series why they are such a good team. They have plenty of players who can score up and down the lineup. The top prospects, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sonny Milano, and Oliver Bjorkstand were strong, each with three points in the series. The veterans, Ryan Craig and Trent Vogelhuber were good combining for six points. The biggest star of the series though has to go to the goaltender Anton Forsberg.
In one of the more surprising storylines of the playoffs, Forsberg has taken the job from Joonas Korpisalo and nobody is thinking twice about it. Korpisalo had some strong performances these playoffs, but his last three outings against Grand Rapids he struggled, including being pulled in the clinching game six after allowing three goals on nine shots. Forsberg had played just 5:44 in the playoffs prior to that game six against Grand Rapids. He was fantastic in that one stopping all 23 shots in relief and hasn’t looked back since.
He had an average game one allowing three goals on 30 shots, but got better as the series went on. He allowed two goals in game two, had a shutout in game three and stopped an incredible 41 shots in the double OT clincher. Overall he has a sparkling .955 save percentage in his six playoff games. There is no doubt he will be the starter for the finals.
Looking to next season if the Jackets do look to move on from Curtis McEhlinney I still believe that Korpisalo is the guy who takes that back-up spot. Having goaltender depth is never an issue. If Korpisalo can’t replicate his success from last season or the injury bug hits again, it’s good to know that they have another guy in Forsberg who looks ready for a shot.
As of this writing the Eastern Conference Finals are still ongoing between the Hershey Bears and Toronto Marlies. Hershey currently has a 3-0 lead in the series and are likely the opponent the Monsters will face. I will have more on them when that series is finalized.
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