Gerald Coleman made 37 saves in his first start in Cleveland as a Monster. He had been 1-1 in two road starts since signing a player-tryout contract Jan. 11.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Entering the week, Monsters coach David Quinn set a goal of a .500 record by the All-Star break. To get there, his club needed to go 3-0 by the end of play Saturday.
The Monsters took care of the first third Tuesday night, riding superb goaltending by newcomer Gerald Coleman to a 4-1 victory over Hamilton at The Q. Lake Erie (19-21-2-1) snapped a three-game slide and pulled even in points with Hamilton (18-18-1-4). Both are on the outside of the Western Conference playoff pool but have plenty of time to gain the necessary ground, especially given the conference's relative parity.
The regular season consists of 76 games.
The Monsters have won four straight over Hamilton and are 4-1 in the eight-game season series. The previous two meetings, both at Hamilton, ended in shootouts.
Coleman made 37 saves in his first start in Cleveland as a Monster. He had been 1-1 in two road starts since signing a player-tryout contract Jan. 11. Coleman, a pro since 2005, began this season with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. He was 17-4-2 in 23 games after going 30-15-1 in 47 games the previous season for the Aces.
When Coleman joined Lake Erie, he was scheduled to split time with Trevor Cann while No. 1 goalie Cedrick Desjardins rehabbed from a lower-body injury. With Cann now also injured, Coleman assumes the lead role and James Reid is back as the reserve.
"With the injuries to our goalies, this is my chance," Coleman said. "This could be my last chance, so I want to make the most of it."
Shots from Hamilton skaters repeatedly disappeared into Coleman's body, which should come as no surprise: Listed at 6-5, 215, Coleman can make a cage appear quite small.
"I love the fact that he uses his size to his advantage," Quinn said. "He understands that the net's not moving. He takes up a lot of space, even if he's out of position."
Coleman stopped 19 shots in the second period. He was particularly stingy late in the second, then again early in the third.
"He made some huge saves when we really needed them," Quinn said.
Coleman played in parts of five AHL seasons from 2005-06 until 2009-10. He said he never had played at The Q.
The Monsters took a 1-0 lead late in the first period on Patrick Rissmiller's third goal of the season. Moments earlier, Rissmiller had hit the pipe.
Early in the second, an opportunistic Hugh Jessiman cleaned up the mess in front of the net and beat goalie Robert Mayer. Jessiman leads Lake Erie with 20 goals.
Hamilton finally broke through against Coleman at 11:30 of the second, but Evan Brophey answered on the power play at 13:35. Jessiman and Brophey (12) are the only Monsters with double-digit goal totals.
At 15:27 of the third, Ryan Stoa imposed his will in front for his ninth.
Earlier Tuesday, Monsters defenseman Tyson Barrie was added to the Western Conference All-Star Team. Barrie became the Monsters' lone representative after it was announced that Desjardins will not play.
Barrie, a rookie, entered the night leading the Monsters in points (26) and assists (21). He is one of four Monsters to have appeared in every game this season.
On Twitter: @dmansworldpd
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/monsters/index.ssf/2012/01/replacement_goalie_shines_as_m.html
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