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Ohio State Buckeyes P.M. Links: A few recruits have enrolled; frustration with the recent games; former coach says NCAA should look at Alabama

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The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to pursue to football recruits.

Urban Meyer will coach the OSU BuckeyesUrban Meyer

The signing period for football players begins on Feb. 1, but six Ohio State prospects couldn't wait and have already enrolled and started classes at OSU.

Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch writes how running back Bri’onte Dunn, linebacker Josh Perry, quarterback Cardale Jones, receiver Michael Thomas, offensive lineman Jacoby Boren and defensive back Tyvis Powell are in school.

But the Buckeyes are not finished, writes May.

And several prospects remain interested in Ohio State as the recruiting push heads into the last three weeks before the signing period opens on Feb. 1. OSU has 19 members in its class, with room for a few more.

According to recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic, the priorities are “at least two more offensive linemen and a linebacker.”

One of the targets is offensive lineman Jordan Diamond of Chicago,.

    

More OSU

Frustrated introspection for the Buckeyes (Cleveland.com).

Meyer and Matta will speak at fundraiser in Middletown (Dayton Daily News).

John Cooper says the NCAA should look at Alabama (AL.com).

 


Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos need turnovers, special teams score to take down Patriots, says former Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (SBTV)

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Logan, now the radio voice of the Broncos, says they have a "puncher's chance" at New England. Watch video

Cleveland, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Branson Wright.


Today's special guest on SBTV is Dave Logan, the former Browns wide receiver who is now the radio voice of the Denver Broncos.


Logan talks about the Tim Tebow phenomenon; whether he thinks the Broncos have a shot to beat the New England Patriots in this weekend's NFL divisional playoffs; and what the formula was that helped the Kardiac Kids turn the Browns around in the early 1980s. (BTW, our bad on the show slide, which incorrectly describes Logan as a TE for the Browns instead of a WR.)


SBTV will return Friday with Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi answering fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature.




Irving's assist numbers will rise with more playmakers - Cavaliers Comment of the Day

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"Irving's assist numbers will go up when the Cavs draft a premier wing player. Irving's ability to drive the lane will cause defenses to collapse and will open up the wing players for shots. Give this kid a Jeremy Lamb or Harrison Barnes to play with and you'll see those assist numbers soar." - Sorry, but you're wrong

Kyrie IrvingView full sizeKyrie Irving is averaging 5.1 assists per game in his rookie season.
In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving becoming a larger part of the offense, cleveland.com reader Sorry, but you're wrong thinks Irving's assist numbers will rise as playmakers arrive. This reader writes,

"Irving's assist numbers will go up when the Cavs draft a premier wing player. Irving's ability to drive the lane will cause defenses to collapse and will open up the wing players for shots. Give this kid a Jeremy Lamb or Harrison Barnes to play with and you'll see those assist numbers soar."

To respond to Sorry, but you're wrong's comment, go here.

For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.

Sports of all sort: Darren Mattocks is No. 2 overall pick in MLS draft; Phil Taylor likes RGIII; Suggs leads Ravens; did Michael Jordan really get cut in high school?

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Former Akron forward Darren Mattocks is the No.2 pick overall in the MLS Super Draft.

Darren Mattocks.JPGDarren Mattocks

Former University of Akron forward Darren Mattocks became the the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 Major League Soccer Super Draft on Thursday when he was selected by the  Vancouver Whitecaps FC select.

Michael Beaven writes on Ohio.com:

Darren Mattocks quotes in a telephone interview:

On being selected No. 2: “It is pretty good to go No. 2. I am pretty excited. I can’t wait to go toVancouver and play. Michael Nanchoff is there and he is a friend of mine, so that should be pretty fun.”

On his speed and style of play: “I think all teams realized that I am a pretty good goal scorer, and I can bring electric pace to strike fear in a backline.”

Beaven goes on to write how Mattocks, 21, is a native of Portmore, Jamaica that regularly flashed speed in a two-year college career that featured 39 goals in 47 matches. He scored 21 goals in 22 matches for the Zips in 2011, earning the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year honor.

   

More sports

Phil Taylor praises Robert Griffin III (CBS Sports Radio).

This is for you fantasy basketball buffs (ESPN).

He plays for the Ravens, but at least he hates the Steelers (ESPN).

Despite his claims, it's the same old LeBron James (Yahoo.com).

Did this man really cut Michael Jordan in high school (SI.com)?

Struggling Buckeyes face Indiana next: Doug Lesmerises' analysis

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After falling to the Illini, the Buckeyes host the Indiana Hoosiers this weekend. Watch video as CineSport’s Brian Clark asks the Plain Dealer’s Doug Lesmerises about the Buckeyes’ recent struggles.

cinesport doug lesmerises

After falling to the Illini, the Buckeyes host the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday. Watch the video below as CineSport’s Brian Clark asks the Plain Dealer’s Doug Lesmerises about the Buckeyes’ recent struggles.

For more Cinesport video, go here.

Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for more defensive-minded Suns: Days of Wine-n-Gold

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Suns rank eighth in points allowed, surrendering just 92.3 points per game.

Cavaliers beat Phoenix Suns, 109-91View full sizePhoenix Suns' Steve Nash remains one of the NBA's top guards at age 37.
PHOENIX -- For years, opponents feared the Phoenix Suns because of their transition game. Now, they are more a team in transition.

There's greater emphasis on defense here in the Valley of the Sun than in seasons past. They also are more patient offensively. Steve Nash, 37, and Grant Hill, 39, are up in years and Marcin Gortat, yes, that Marcin Gortat, is the team's leading scorer. The Suns (4-5) would seem to a club still searching for an identity in this young season.

When the Cavaliers (4-5) flew West for four games this was the one I felt they had the best chance to steal. But the up-and-down Suns have registered  impressive home wins against Portland and Golden State.

"They are doing a much better job of guarding people than they have in the past," Cavs coach Byron Scott said of the Suns, who rank eighth in points allowed (92.3). "We've got to move the ball and if we do that we'll get good shots and we'll have to knock them down."

Scott said the Cavs must be wary of the Suns perimeter shooting, but that has not been a problem spot on many nights this season. A year after being the league's worst team at defensing the 3-point shot, the Cavs rank a respectable 12th with opponents converting at 32 percent. The Cavs' defensive troubles in recent games, anyway, are in the front court. Power forward Antawn Jamison had a tough time with Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Utah's Paul Millsap. The club allowed 56 points in the paint against the Jazz.

DRIBBLES

-- Former Ohio State star Michael Redd is expected to make his Suns debut tonight off the bench. According to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, Redd's conditioning level will be closely watched. The 32-year-old took part in his first full-court scrimmaging on Wednesday.

-- Scott called shooting guard Daniel Gibson the team's best perimeter defender. Gibson is only 6-foot-2, but he's strong and aggressive in getting after opponents.

-- Alonzo Gee remains the club's most consistent contributor off the benching, averaging 8.3 points and playing solid defensively. Scott has been so pleased with Gee's effort that he's rewarding the wing man by calling a few plays for him.  

-- Cavs rookie Kyrie Irving has received the ninth-most All-Star votes among Eastern Conference guards. He has 27,213 votes. Chicago's Derrick Rose leads that category with 640,476. Neither Jamison nor center Anderson Varejao is among the leaders at their positions.

Projected starters: Cavs -- Irving, Parker, Casspi, Jamison, Varejao. Suns -- Nash, Dudley, Hill, Frye, Gortat


RHP Chris Ray latest non-roster player signed and invited to spring training by Cleveland Indians

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Former Orioles closer was in the big leagues last season with Seattle before being released in August.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have signed former closer Chris Ray and invited him to big league camp. Pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Ariz., Feb. 20.

Ray, 30, made the Mariners out of spring training last year as a non-roster player. He went 3-2 with a 4.68 ERA in 29 relief appearances before straining his right lat muscle at the end of July. He was released on Aug. 15.

From 2006 through 2007, Ray was Baltimore's closer, saving 33 games in 2006. He has pitched for the Orioles, Rangers, Giants and Mariners. The right-hander went a combined 5-0 with a 3.72 ERA for the Rangers and Giants in 2010.
 
Ray has pitched in 283 big-league games and is 18-19 overall. He's 51-for-71 in save situations with his last two saves coming in 2010.

The Indians have invited nine players to big-league camp.

Pitchers: Chris Seddon, Robinson Tejada and Ray.
Catchers: Luke Carlin, Michel Hernandez and Matt Pagnozzi.
Infielders: Andy LaRoche and Jose Lopez.
Outfielders: Felix Pie.

Talk, talk: Indians have interest in free agent first baseman Carlos Pena. GM Chris Antonetti has approached ownership to see if the money is available.

Pena is seeking a multiyear deal.

Winter fun: Recently acquired outfielder Aaron Cunningham will be among the 11 players who report to the winter development program Monday at Progressive Field. The program is designed to help advance the organization's top prospects to the big leagues as quickly as possible.

Players include: RHP Austin Adams, RHP Rob Bryson, CA Chun Chen, Cunningham,
INF Juan Diaz, OF Tim Fedroff, OF Jordan Henry, LHP TJ McFarland, OF Thomas Neal,
CA Roberto Perez and RHP Tyler Sturdevant.

Guest speakers include: Indians President Mark Shapiro, manger Manny Acta, Cavs GM Chris Grant, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur, former Red Sox manager Terry Francona,
former Tribe right-hander Jason Bere, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons, St. Ignatius football coach Chuck Kyle and Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin.

The program runs from Jan. 16 through Jan. 27. The Indians acquired Cunningham in a deal with San Diego this winter.

Mall tour: The Indians tour of area malls -- replacement for the winter press tour -- begins Jan. 26. Acta, Indians players, coaches and broadcasters will visit SouthPark Mall in Strongsville on Jan. 26 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 27; Summitt Mall, Akron from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 28 and Beachwood Place, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 29.

Cleveland Browns: Would you draft quarterback Robert Griffin III or cornerback Morris Claiborne - or neither - with 4th overall pick? POLL

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What if both are available at No. 4? Both are among top draft prospects, analysts say. Sources say LSU's Claiborne will enter the draft. Baylor's Griffin announced on Wednesday that he will.

morris-claiborne.jpgCornerback Morris Claiborne will leave LSU and declare for the NFL draft, according to sources.



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns, coming off a 4-12 season and with an 18-46 record over the past four seasons, have a multitude of needs.



Among the weaknesses the Browns need to address, some fans say, is quarterback, where Colt McCoy has made 21 starts during his first two NFL seasons.



Another of the many positions where improvement is necessary, say some Browns fans, is at cornerback. Joe Haden, another two-year veteran, is regarded by many as one of the league's most promising coverage men. It's the other cornerback position, manned over the last two seasons by Sheldon Brown, which concerns many fans. Brown turns 33 on March 19.



The 2012 draft is supposed to have a depth of players ready to make an impact on the NFL. That depth has been bolstered over the last two days. Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III announced on Wednesday that he will enter the draft, as covered on a cleveland.com Starting Blocks report.



Today, Jim Kleinpeter reports for The Times Picayune and nola.com (sister publications of The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com) that, according to sources, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne will leave the Tigers and apply for the NFL draft:



Claiborne, who won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back, led the Tigers with six interceptions and also broke up six passes. The junior from Shreveport had 51 tackles and paired with sophomore Tyrann Mathieu to give LSU the first first-team AP All America cornerback tandem in history.



A lot will happen -- the NFL Scouting Combine, colleges' Pro Days, private workouts and interviews -- between now and the draft on April 26-28.



For now, though, Griffin and Claiborne are both considered legitimate top five, or so, picks. The Browns' first pick in the first round will be the fourth pick overall, barring a trade. If the Browns keep that pick, and if Griffin and Claiborne are still available, which player -- if either -- should they draft?





Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Timeline for hiring an offensive coordinator could be affected by other teams' job searches

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Browns scored just 13.56 points per game with Pat Shurmur doubling as head coach and offensive coordinator. Several other teams are looking for not only head coaches, but people to run their offenses. Links to more Browns stories.

seneca-wallace-troy-polamalu.jpgYet another Browns offensive play ends in futility, as quarterback Seneca Wallace is sacked by Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu during Pittsburgh's 13-9 win at Cleveland on Jan. 1.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns, they of the 4-12 win-loss record, scored 13.56 points per game during the 2011 season.

That 218-point total was 30th among the NFL's 32 teams.

That was the equivalent of four Phil Dawson field goals plus a 1 1/2 point bonus for not having a logo on the helmets.

That was also 295 points short of the New England Patriots. So, if the Browns would have scored, say, 35 more touchdowns, 35 more extra points, 16 more field goals and with a safety tacked on, they would have tied Bill Belichick's team as the league's biggest point-makers.

Suffice it to say, the Browns need to do some things differently.

For one, add a full-time offensive coordinator.

Nate Ulrich writes for the Akron Beacon Journal that the time the Browns take to fill the position could be affected by other job openings around the league:

The Browns should learn more about the way their search for an offensive coordinator will unfold as other coaching vacancies throughout the NFL are filled.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur has been talking to offensive coordinator candidates, mostly by phone, though it's unclear whether any formal interviews have taken place. "Candidates with options and deadlines" have been communicating with the organization, a league source said.

The Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to hire a head coach. Those teams are expected to be in the market for a new offensive coordinator along with the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.

Shurmur juggled the roles of a first-year head coach and an offensive coordinator during the 2011 season. After the Browns finished with a record of 4-12, Shurmur vowed to hire an offensive coordinator.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes "PD Sports Insider," a weekly video feature, this one highlighting Tony Grossi, Dennis Manoloff and Bud Shaw talking about the Browns; a Starting Blocks poll asking fans if they'd take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne or neither with the fourth overall pick in the draft; Grossi's report that defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson has left the Browns to join the Dallas Cowboys; Bill Livingston's column on Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel, who coached the Browns from 2005-08; and much more.

About the Browns

If running back Peyton Hillis doesn't stay with the Browns, their right pick at No. 4 overall in the draft would be Alabama running back Trent Richardson. By Mark Podolski for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Ranking the draft's top 10 quarterback prospects. By Wes Bunting for the National Football Post.

A 2011 Position Review: Running back. By Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

The Browns should learn from the Green Bay Packers and give Pat Shurmur time, writes Benjamin Flack for the Bleacher Report.

Mel Kiper re-grades the 2011 draft for AFC North teams, giving the Browns a strong grade. By Jamison Hensley for ESPN.com.

Hardly any former Browns players, let alone the current ones, are to be seen in the playoffs. By Criag Lyndall for the blog "WaitingForNextYear."

Four possibilities for the Browns' pick at No. 4. A Bleacher Report slideshow.

Trading up in the draft for Robert Griffin III. By Jimmy Weinland for the blog "Dawg Pound Daily."

Cleveland fans yearn for competitive teams: Terry Pluto

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Cleveland teams from the past have frustrated fans, but at least they were competitive. And that's what the fans really want.

fans.jpgCleveland fans are as passionate as any fans anywhere. They just need a reason to cheer.

Most fans heard that Wednesday was the 25th anniversary of The Drive.

If you are a Browns fan, you know about The Drive. And yes, the Browns lost that game.

Just as they lost The Fumble game, and they lost the Red Right 88 game. And the Cavs lost The Shot game. And the Indians lost the Jose Mesa game. But the real point of remembering those games is not losing.

It's winning.

In each of those seasons, the different Cleveland teams won more than they lost. They were exciting and relevant. They were in the postseason.

Most of all, they were fun.

Yes, excruciating and frustrating in the end, but still fun.

Can you imagine what Northeast Ohio would be like right now if we had another season like The Drive or the Fumble, another year where the Browns were at least good enough to have Super Bowl dreams?

I believe Browns President Mike Holmgren and the other front office people and coaches who are new to Cleveland would be shocked by the enthusiastic response if the Browns had an 8-8 record next season with a young team that really had a promising future.

That's especially true if they looked like a better team near the end of the year than at the start.

If the Browns went from 4-12 to 9-7, some fans would be writing songs about them.

Can you imagine what it would be like if the Browns had a Tebow-like season?

No one should expect Denver to win a title, but talk about entertainment! That's what the fans really want.

For all the gnashing of teeth about how the media and fan base is cynical and negative, most of us know how quickly that can change with the fortunes of the team.

That's especially true for the Browns, who remain so close to the hearts of fans.

But consider how the Cavaliers are No. 5 in television ratings in this early NBA season.

If any fan base should be turned off by pro basketball, it's Cleveland after The Decision.

While the Cavs won't sell out the arena as in the days of You Know Who, their fans are paying attention.

Why?

Because Dan Gilbert and Chris Grant have wheeled, dealed and spent their way into some intriguing young players who are putting forth a sincere effort for a tough coach in Byron Scott. They are destined to lose far more than they win, but they are watchable. And there is real reason for hope.

Consider how the Indians bolted from the gate last season. You can negate the 30-15 start by saying they were 50-67 after that.

But the fact is an 80-82 team more than doubled the television ratings of the year before and drew more than 450,000 fans in 2011 compared to 2010. More importantly, there was a buzz about the team. Fans watched and talked Tribe.

The 2011 Indians won some exciting games. They had some endearing players. They were entertaining, and hung around in contention until late August.

This is not about lowering the bar of expectations. Fans want their teams to contend and to be serious about putting out a winning product.

Starting in the summer of 2010 after The Decision, the Indians were 69-93, the Browns were 5-11, the Cavs were 19-63, the Indians 80-82 and the Browns 4-12.

Any reason to doubt why the fan base has been beaten down? But little things such as this past Indians summer or even the early Cavs season show how fans are more than willing to look up if only they can see something besides the usual gloom and doom.

Cavaliers at Suns: Game preview and Twitter updates

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The Cavaliers look to get back in the win column as their road trip continues in Phoenix tonight against the Sun, who boast an identical record to the Cavs at 4-5. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed @PDCavsInsider.

The Cavaliers look to get back in the win column as their road trip continues in Phoenix tonight against the Sun, who boast an identical record to the Cavs at 4-5. Get Twitter updates from Tom Reed @PDCavsInsider in the box below. Check out the in-game box score here. Read on for a game preview. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Kyrie IrvingKyrie Irving is averaging 15.6 points and 5.1 assists for the Cavaliers.

(AP) -- Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns have been much different on the road than at home.

Kyrie Irving continues to impress regardless of where he's playing.

Arguably the best point guard of the past decade takes on his possible heir apparent for the first time Thursday night when Nash and the Suns host Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Phoenix (4-5) is coming off another poor offensive performance on the road, falling 99-83 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night as Kobe Bryant scored 48 points. That was only nine fewer than the Suns' starting five combined.

Nash had eight assists, his fewest in five games this month, as his team was held to 42.5 percent from the field. Phoenix has failed to crack 100 points in all four of its road games, averaging 90.5 while shooting 42.4 percent, and has lost the last three.

The Suns had similar problems in dropping their first two home games, getting held below 85 points in both, but they've scored more than 100 in each of the last three and won them all. They've shot 49.0 percent from the field and averaged 24.3 assists during that home winning streak.

Nash has shot 77.8 percent from the field (21 of 27) in those three games. The two-time MVP is at 41.5 percent on the road this season while averaging 10.8 points, compared to 13.2 at home.

Irving, meanwhile, has averaged 17.1 points in his last seven games. The No. 1 overall pick tops all rookies in scoring (15.6 ppg) and is second in assists (5.1 per game).

He scored 20 points Tuesday, but the Cavaliers fell to 1-3 on their seven-game road trip with a 113-105 loss in Utah.

"This loss tonight was about us," Irving said. "We kind of beat up ourselves tonight."

Now Cleveland (4-5) looks to beat up the Suns on the offensive glass.

Phoenix has given up a league-worst average of 13.7 offensive rebounds, including 15.0 in four games over the past week. The Cavaliers are grabbing 13.0 per game in that span, among the league's best, as Anderson Varejao has reached double digits in rebounds in all four games.

The Suns let the Lakers score 18 second-chance points on 14 offensive boards Tuesday.

"We couldn't score at the end of the game and we gave up too many offensive rebounds again," Nash said. "They got 18 second-chance points. I mean, that's nearly one out of every five points that's a second-chance point, and that's too many."

However, a pair of Suns big men have gotten hot on the offensive end lately. Center Marcin Gortat is averaging 17.0 points on 69.6 percent shooting over the past four games. Forward Channing Frye is 7 of 9 from 3-point range in the last two, totaling 33 points, after going 4 for 23 through the first seven games while averaging 5.4 points.

Frye averaged 17.0 points in last season's sweep of the Cavaliers. Nash had 17.5 points and 16.0 assists per game in those two meetings.

Antawn Jamison scored 23 points in each but has lost eight straight against Phoenix - the first six while with Washington.

Lake Erie Monsters building a fan base in Cleveland

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While the Lake Erie Monsters have sometimes struggled on the ice, tickets sales are up over last year.

monstersgoalie.jpgLake Erie Monsters goalie Cedrick Desjardins has been a bright spot for the team this season.

While the Monsters have struggled to find their groove on the ice, the box office is buzzing.

Through 18 of 38 regular-season home dates, the Monsters are averaging 6,777 fans, which ranked third in the 30-team American Hockey League entering Thursday. Through 18 home dates last season, the Monsters averaged 5,757.

"We're up year over year by a significant amount, so we're obviously very pleased," Monsters Chief Operating Officer Mike Ostrowski said. "The fans have stepped up and supported us. If we continue to trend as we expect -- and given that the second half is historically stronger than the first -- we should finish with the highest attendance average in our five seasons."

The Monsters will have two fewer home dates this season because the AHL schedule was reduced from 80 to 76 games. Here are the Monsters' final regular-season attendance averages and ranks in the previous four seasons:

• 2007-2008: 5,974/11th

• 2008-2009: 5,934/ninth

• 2009-2010: 6,484/sixth

• 2010-2011: 6,568/sixth

The Monsters have been drawing despite a 16-18-1-1 record entering Thursday night's game at Peoria. The ticket-sales crew is used to working around sub-.500 records. It happened the first three seasons. When the Monsters finally did finish above .500 and qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs last spring, it gave the sales staff a springboard for 2011-2012.

"We always start early, and being in the playoffs helped even more," Ostrowski said. "Our season-ticket numbers were high -- some of the highest in the league."

Ostrowski is no meteorologist, but he knows the turnstiles have been aided by a mild winter to date. Snowstorms are typically bad for business -- in the major or minor leagues. But the key to the uptick, Ostrowski said, has been time.

"In the first few years, we did a lot of educating people as to who we are and what the Monsters hockey experience is all about," he said. "Now they know. And we feel like, once we get people here, they want to come back and tell others to come back with them."

The Dan Gilbert-owned Monsters have gone to great lengths to create a family atmosphere at The Q, providing enough for youngsters to do in the seats and on the concourse that a bad outcome on the ice can be mitigated. The AHL noticed how much fun people seem to have: At its annual meeting last summer, the league gave the Monsters an award for best fan experience and overall game presentation.

Two of the people who make it happen for Ostrowski are Pam Frasco, senior director of marketing and community relations, and Matt Bettinger, director of game presentation. Frasco gave birth to a son, Sonny, last week.

Promotional material: The Monsters, knowing that crowds typically get better after the new year, prefer to backload their best promotions. They have several dates remaining that could draw at least 10,000, including: Jan. 21 -- Cleveland Rocks Night; March 3 -- Cleveland Browns Night; April 7 -- Player Bobblehead Night; and April 14 -- Fan Appreciation Night.

Finally: The Monsters sent goalie James Reid to the Allen Americans of the CHL on Thursday and signed goalie Gerald Coleman from the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown adjusts to Hollywood spotlight: Cleveland Cavaliers Insider

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Almost every day, former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is reminded that he's not in Cleveland any longer — and it has nothing to do with sunshine, palm trees or the ocean. Invitations from Academy-Award-winning actor Denzel Washington and appearances on TMZ have become part of his life.

mike brown.JPGView full sizeFormer Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has found coaching in Los Angeles is a far different world than Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Almost every day, former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is reminded that he's not in Cleveland any longer -- and it has nothing to do with sunshine, palm trees or the ocean. It started almost as soon as he was introduced as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers last May 31.

One of his first invitations came from Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, a longtime Lakers fan who asked the new coach to come to his home to watch the NBA Finals. Brown's schedule didn't allow for the visit.

About a week ago, the coach was rushing to catch the team's charter flight to Portland, Ore., when he was pulled over for speeding. The California Highway Patrol officer recognized the coach and let him off with a warning. As soon as Brown was aboard, the team's vice president of public relations approached him, telling him he had just gotten a call about the traffic stop from TMZ, the celebrity entertainment news service, and wondered if the Lakers had any comment.

"In my six years in Cleveland, I probably had two or three speeding tickets, and I don't think that even made it in the West Life news," Brown said, laughing, in a telephone interview Thursday.

nirra fields.JPGView full sizeThe Browns are the guardians for former Regina star Nirra Fields, who now plays for Mater Dei High School in California.

"The attention that you get as the Lakers coach is incredibly different. Every little thing that we do is a headline."

Brown and the Lakers will play host to the Cavaliers tonight. Brown admitted coaching against the team he led for six seasons will be weird, but not as weird as it would have been to coach against the Cavs in The Q. Because of the lockout-shortened season, the Lakers will not visit Cleveland this season.

"When we got the schedule, as a family, the first thing we looked at was when we were going to go to Cleveland and play the Cavs," said Brown, who still has many friends in Cleveland and on the Cavs, including General Manager Chris Grant, one of his best friends. "That would have been a lot weirder for me than coaching out here. That emotional attachment is still there. It will be a little awkward, a little weird. But not as bad as if we were back there playing."

The lockout proved to be a blessing in disguise for Brown and his family. For the first time in his 20-year coaching career, he was able to help his wife, Carolyn, relocate their family and resettle their children at legendary powerhouse Mater Dei High School.

Elijah, a junior who played basketball at St. Edward, is averaging about 10 points a game as a sometimes starter and sixth man for the Monarchs, who are 14-2 and ranked 22nd in the nation. Cameron started at left guard on the top freshman football team and was one of the five offensive linemen who shared the team's Player of the Year award for the 10-0 team. He also is a backup center on the top freshman basketball team.

In addition, the Browns are guardians for former Regina star Nirra Fields, who is averaging 22 points for the girls basketball team at Mater Dei, also 14-2 and ranked 12th nationally. She just committed to UCLA.

While those players are doing well, so are the ones who get paid to play for Brown. After starting 0-2, the Lakers are 8-4 with a four-game winning streak and have accepted the changes in offense and defense Brown has made.

"These guys have been great," Brown said. "They've done a terrific job in the short amount of time we've been together. They've responded well in practices. They've responded well in shoot-arounds. I've kept them for 2 1/2 to 3 hours at shoot-around, if not longer, and they haven't complained one bit."

Much was made of the fact that superstar Kobe Bryant didn't come out in support of Brown's hire last summer, but Brown said the two met and talked before the lockout and he knew Bryant was behind him.

"He asked me if I wanted him to come out and say something to the public," Brown said. "I told him, 'As long as I know that you and I are good, which I truly felt, I have no worries. I'm OK with the speculation. It makes for a good story. I can ignore that noise. It's not a problem.'"

Brown is great at blocking out anything he views as a distraction. So whether it's Jack Nicholson or the Kardashians vying for face time at Laker games, he barely notices.

"I have an uncanny way of taking everything at face value and blocking out stuff that I don't want to think about or get involved in," said Brown, who has been impressed by Byron Scott's Cavs and rookie Kyrie Irving. "There's a ton going on around me, but I feel like I do a pretty good job of keeping all of that blocked out of my thought process.

"I've got two worlds. There's my coaching world -- where I think about coaching and winning -- and when I'm not doing that I try to hang with my family and try to be a good husband and father. That's it."

Brown likes Irving: Brown coached the Cavs' last overall No. 1 pick. He likes what he sees from the current one. "Kyrie has a chance to be really good. You see some things he's doing instinctively for such a young age and the only thing you can say is 'Wow.' Hopefully, he'll be the face of that franchise for his whole career."

Times, players change: Just four current Cavs played under Brown: Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker and Antawn Jamison. Gibson rarely earned significant playing time under Brown, but he was happy his former coach landed with the Lakers. "He's a great coach and a great person, and when they see what he brings to the table defensively and what he brings in terms of effort and getting guys to play hard, it will work."

Tighten up the D, Kyrie: Scott has been happy with Irving's progression, but he sees ample room for improvement on the defensive end. "He understands that's something we are going to keep harping on until the season is over," Scott said. Irving tends to relax and "take plays off" when his man does not have the ball. Irving concedes he's sometimes guilty of watching the ball instead of offering help or tracking his man.

Praise for the defense: Scott said the 6-2 Gibson is his best perimeter defender despite often surrendering 3 or 4 inches to his man. Gibson's quickness and "tough-as-nails"approach help compensate for the lack of size.

Plain Dealer reporter Tom Reed contributed to this story.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Off the ice with . . . Lake Erie Monsters defenseman Joel Chouinard

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Monsters defenseman Joel Chouinard loves poutine, which is french fries, gravy and cheese.

Joel Chouinard.JPGView full size

Shoots: Left, Ht/Wt: 6-1, 186. Born: April 8, 1990, Longueuil, Quebec. Acquired: Colorado's fifth selection in 2008.

PD: Preferred activities away from ice?

JC: Reading, watching TV, hanging out.

PD: Favorite show?

JC: "Breaking Bad." The story is unbelievable.

PD: Wildest thing ever witnessed at a rink as fan or player?

JC: After one of my games in Peewee or Bantam, some parents started fighting. The cops came, and one of the parents went and hid in a compartment in the lower part of the bus.

PD Best active hockey player on planet?

JC: He's injured: Sidney Crosby.

PD: As a hockey fan, are you worried about Crosby's hockey future?

JC: I'm concerned that his career might end prematurely. He will play again, and he will be just as good as ever, but they're not going to keep letting him suffer concussions. It might be a situation like Eric Lindros.

PD: Capsule view of Monsters coach David Quinn.

JC: Very hard coach, but he's fair. And what he says makes sense.

PD: Quinn is known for his intensity. Does he have a sense of humor?

JC: Sometimes.

PD: Favorite player growing up?

JC: Mario Lemieux.

PD: Athlete you like to watch now?

JC: Anyone who plays hockey.

PD: Preferred place to hang out in Northeast Ohio?

JC: The night life is pretty cool in Cleveland. The Barley House is probably the place we go the most.

PD: Favorite hockey city?

A: Montreal.

PD: Best hockey atmosphere in which you've played?

JC: In the QMJHL [Quebec Major Junior Hockey League] in Quebec City, we played in front of something like16,000. It was pretty cool.

PD: Best hockey advice received?

JC: Play to your strengths.

PD: Preferred meal?

JC: Poutine.

PD: Which is?

JC: French fries, gravy and cheese. It's greasy.

PD: What do you need to do to get to NHL and stay there?

JC: Be more consistent.

PD: Toughest part of playing in AHL?

JC: Back-to-back games and long bus rides.

PD: Any pregame rituals?

JC: I have one, I guess. I always dress from left to right. Left skate first, then right; left shin pad, then right shin pad; and so on.

PD: What promoted it, and when?

JC: I think I heard about someone doing it when I was in Peewee. I don't even notice it now. I do it instinctively.

-- Dennis Manoloff

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving shows old guard how it's done with victory over Phoenix Suns

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Irving has 26 points and Antawn Jamison has 23 as the Cavaliers top veteran guard Steve Nash and the Suns at Phoenix.

Gallery preview

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Kyrie Irving was 4 years old when Steve Nash -- arguably the greatest point guard of his generation -- made his NBA debut in 1996.

The Cavaliers rookie grew up watching this wisp of a man, all 195 pounds of him, win a pair of NBA Most Valuable Player awards by leading Phoenix fast breaks and finessing balls into passing lanes the size of mouse holes.

Irving called the opportunity to play against Nash "an honor" before

Thursday night's game in US Airways Arena. He then showed the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer that he would not be awed by sharing the same stage.

The 19-year-old point guard and the setting Sun gave the crowd inspired performances in the Cavaliers' 101-90 victory. Irving scored 26 points -- a new high in his 10-game NBA career -- and chipped in with six assists in 28 minutes. His 12-point, second-quarter eruption helped turn the game on its axis and allowed the Cavs to improve to 2-3 on their season-long, seven-game road trip.

Nash wasn't too bad, either. He finished with 16 points and 15 assists. All three of Irving's fouls were taken trying to contain Nash penetration.

But the pupil got the better of the professor and the Cavs got the best of the Suns.

"It was definitely fun playing against a great point such as Steve Nash," Irving said. "I have been watching him for so long and that I'm finally playing against him, it's a little surreal."

"But once you are out there you are in the game and I'm a competitor as well as he is. He's still doing [the things] he's done through his entire career. . . . it's impressive."

Irving got assistance from the usual suspects. Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 23 points on 10-of-22 shooting. Meanwhile, Anderson Varejao contributed 17 rebounds, one shy of his career high. Daniel Gibson helped close out the win, scoring seven of his 10 points in the fourth quarter.

The campaign is only 10 games old but the Cavaliers already have more road wins (two) against Western Conference opponents than they did all of last season (one.)

A club that had just seven wins away from The Q last season has three in its first seven tries.

"As young as we are, hopefully some of these experiences are going to help us," coach Byron Scott said. "I think it will."

The Cavs (5-5) again demonstrated the ability to close out games with a fourth quarter lead. The Suns stayed within striking distance, cutting the lead to six points with 1:21 left, but it was Irving who delivered the dagger with a 7-foot jumper to seal the win.

The Cavaliers and Suns entered action as the last two teams not having a player score at least 24 points in the game. Irving, who finished 11-of-17 from the floor, made sure Cleveland would be removed from that list.

His most impressive stretch as a Cavalier began midway through the second quarter as he returned to the floor with the club trailing, 40-34.

While his ability to get to the rim is making him a "SportsCenter" regular, it's also affording him some room on the perimeter as defenders are wary of the drive. He took advantage of the space to ignite a 14-0 run that enabled the Cavs to take a 56-48 lead to halftime. He scored 12 straight points for his club.

"I think everyone else started to feed off that," Scott said. "He was being aggressive and got us back into the game."

Irving stuck a 20-foot jumper with seven minutes left. He followed with a pair of 3-point buckets and then buried a 14-footer before finishing his flurry with a driving layup. His 12-point barrage was achieved in a breathless 2-minute, 51-second span. The full-service point guard ended the quarter with two assists on Jamison baskets.

"I think teams are starting to respect my driving ability a little more and coming off the screen, big man back, that's an automatic shot for any guard in this league," Irving said.

"Gaining that respect is an important aspect for my game going forward."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: treed@plaind.com, 216-999-4370

For more Cinesport video, go here.


Vancouver takes Akron soccer player Darren Mattocks in MLS Draft

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Mattocks will be reunited with former Akron teammate Michael Nanchoff, who was the eighth overall selection of the Whitecaps a year ago.

Darren Mattocks.JPGView full sizeMajor League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, right, welcomes Akron's Darren Mattocks, who was selected No. 2 overall Thursday by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Akron forward Darren Mattocks was selected second by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, and in doing so, they chose the most complete player available in the two-round draft.

Mattocks was the 2011 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. He will be reunited with former UA teammate Michael Nanchoff, who was the eighth overall selection of the Whitecaps a year ago. Mattocks and Nanchoff were both starters on the Zips' 2010 National Championship squad.

""""The drafting of Mattocks continues Akron's run of SuperDraft picks.

In the past six years, UA head coach Caleb Porter, who is also head coach of the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team, and his staff have produced 13 MLS draft selections, including a record seven draftees a year ago. Nine were taken in the first round.

Entering the day, just two schools -- Wake Forest (16) and Maryland (13) -- had produced more SuperDraft selections since 2007. In all, 14 former Zips -- including undrafted Montreal Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush -- will suit up for an MLS team next season.

Mattocks, who was a 2011 Hermann Trophy semifinalist, is the fourth UA sophomore to be drafted in as many seasons, following Steve Zakuani in 2009, Teal Bunbury in 2010 and Valentin in 2011. The native of Portmore, Jamaica, finished second in the nation with 21 goals, which was the third-highest, single-season total in school history.

Zakuani was the highest player to be drafted from Akron, going No. 1 overall in 2009.

The expansion Montreal Impact selected Duke forward Andrew Wenger with the first overall pick.

The Hermann Trophy winner as the top NCAA player, Wenger was the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season and Offensive Player of the Year this season, finishing with 17 goals and eight assists.

Mattocks is a speedy Jamaican who wound up at powerhouse Akron because he wanted to acclimate himself to playing in colder weather. He will certainly get that opportunity in Vancouver.

Vancouver President Bob Lenarduzzi said his decision was easy once Montreal made its pick.

"It's been the consensus that the top two were Wenger and Mattocks," Lenarduzzi said. "We just needed Montreal to make up their minds. All along you sort of jokingly ask what they're going to do, but they never were going to tell me anything."

Ethan Finlay of Creighton was chosen by Columbus with the 10th overall pick.

UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe went third to New England, followed by UC Santa Barbara's Luis Silva to Toronto FC and Maryland forward Casey Townsend to Chivas USA.

Kyrie Irving's perimeter game shines in Cleveland Cavaliers win: Days of Wine-n-Gold

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Teammate Anthony Parker says the rookie plays the game with "peace."

kyrie-drives-blazers-ap.jpgView full sizeKyrie Irving scored a career high 26 points on Thursday night in Cavs 101-90 win at Phoenix.
PHOENIX -- While watching Kyrie Irving bury the Suns in the second quarter of Thursday's win, I was reminded of a famous quote about Irish soccer legend George Best.

After Best scored a crackling goal for Manchester United, a longtime sports writer turned to his apprentice and said: "Don't mark down the time, mark down the date."

Irving delivered a dozen consecutive Cavaliers' points in a stunning 2-minute, 51-second span to give the road team a lead it would never relinquish in a 101-90 win over the Suns in US Airways Center. He finished with a career-best 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting.

The 19-year-old rookie and Suns point guard  Steve Nash offered the 14,636 fans here a 48-minute symposium on point-guard play. Nash was brilliant in scoring 16 points and registering 15 assists as he tried to rally the Suns. But these Suns are an older team trying to hold onto a time that's quickly passing.

The Cavaliers are a young club rebuilding around their No. 1 overall draft pick and he offered another tantalizing glimpse of the future in Phoenix. Those three minutes were something to witness. What really stood out was Irving's ability to stick his jumpers. Five of his six buckets in the pivotal second-quarter were perimeter shots, two of them 3-pointers. Irving's reputation as a guard who can get to the rim is clearly spreading. You could see the Suns backing off as the high screens were being set.

His first five buckets of the quarter came from 20-feet, 25-feet, 25-feet, 24-feet and 14-feet. If Irving can start hitting those shots with any consistency he could be scary good down the road. There is a serenity about the kid's game. No wasted motion or emotion. When the ball is in play Irving's facial expressions rarely change.

"The peace with which he plays the game is what's really impressive," shooting guard Anthony Parker said.   Gallery preview

Irving was not without flaws in Phoenix. He committed six turnovers on a night the Cavs made just 13. Coach Byron Scott still wants him working harder on defense. Irving takes plays off when the ball is not in the hands of the man he’s guarding, Scott said, and he needs to fight harder through screens. But those are correctable mistakes. Many young players struggle with the defensive end. Few can duplicate a second quarter like the one he delivered on Jan. 12, 2012, one that saw the Cavs go from six down to six up in a matter of minutes.

Lost in the offensive performances of Irving and Antawn Jamison – 23 points on 10-of-22 shooting – was a solid defensive effort after the first quarter. The Cavs allowed 30 points in the opening 12 minutes and just 60 points the rest of the night. Anderson Varejao grabbed 17 boards, one shy of his career mark. The Cavs also generated 19 points on 16 Suns' turnovers.

Of course, The most eye-popping stat belonged to none of the major participants. Somehow, backup center Semih Erden fouled out in 12 minutes. He didn’t attempt a shot, didn’t score a point, but he hacked with alacrity. Well, at least he will be one of the fresher players as the club readies for the Lakers on Friday night.

The Cavaliers will be a tired bunch in Staples Center and it will be interesting to gauge their compete level. Nobody should have to remind them what happened the last time they played the Lakers in L.A.

That’s why the win against Phoenix was so important. It halted a two-game losing streak and kept the questions about backsliding into last season at bay. They now have two victories on this seven-game road trip with two stops remaining.

The city of stars is buzzing about Lakers-Clippers on Saturday. But Kyrie Irving is coming to town tonight eager for another test and another open look.        


For more Cinesport video, go here.

Tayler Hill's 24 points guide Ohio State women's basketball team to victory: College Basketball Roundup

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Cleveland State's women's team also wins on Thursday night.

ohio state taylor hill.JPGView full sizeOhio State's Tayler Hill (4) drives to the basket against Northwestern's Karly Roser (42) during the second half Thursday in Columbus.
Tayler Hill scored 19 of her 24 points in the second half, eight during a 10-0 run that helped No. 11 Ohio State's women's basketball team pull away from Northwestern (11-6, 1-3 Big Ten) for an 82-72 victory Thursday night in Columbus.

Hill, the Big Ten's leading scorer at 21.3 points per game, helped the Buckeyes (16-1, 3-1) increase a 55-54 lead with a 3-pointer and layup off a turnover. After Sasha Dobranic's jumper, Hill made it 65-54 with a steal that resulted in a layup and foul shot with 6:56 to play.

Samantha Prahalis added 20 points for the Buckeyes.

Dannielle Diamant had 23 points for Northwestern.

Cleveland State 83, UIC 80 Shalonda Winton scored 29 points and the Vikings (7-8, 2-2 Horizon League) defeated the Flames (9-7, 2-3) at the Wolstein Center.

Winton was 10-of-12 from the foul line, 3-of-3 from 3-point range and also led all players with 12 rebounds.

'Findlay 71, Lake Erie 69 The Oilers (10-4, 4-4 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference) drilled 7-of-16 3-point shots and beat the Storm (7-6, 2-4), in Painesville.

Men

Findlay 67, Lake Erie 64 (OT) The host Storm (7-6, 2-4 GLIAC) was outrebounded 40-27 and lost at home to the Oilers (12-3, 6-2). Nait Tait came off the bench to score 28 for Lake Erie.

Preview capsules for today's local men's and women's college basketball games

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Cleveland State's men's team travels to Indianapolis to face Horizon League power Butler.

trevon harmon.JPGView full sizeCleveland State Vikings guard Trevon Harmon.

Men

Cleveland State at Butler

Tipoff: 7 p.m. at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.

TV/radio: ESPNU; WHK AM/1220.

Notable: For Cleveland State (14-3, 4-1 Horizon League), an important road trip begins as the Vikings are in a three-way tie for first place with Youngstown State and Milwaukee. Butler (9-8, 3-2) is a bit down and statistically not up to its perimeter-shooting standards (29.3 percent on 3-point shooting). The Bulldogs are coming off a loss and can't afford another one this early in league play. CSU is nearly healthy again as C Aaron Pogue (thigh bruise) is slowly getting back into form.

Next for CSU: Sunday at Valparaiso, 2:30 p.m.

-- Elton Alexander

Case Western Reserve vs. Washington U. (St. Louis)

Tipoff: 8 p.m. at Horsburgh Gymnasium, Cleveland.

Notable: CWRU (8-4, 0-1 University Athletic Association) tries to rebound from back-to-back losses for the first time this season. The Spartans are led by junior F Austin Fowler at 14.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Sophomore C David Thompson has four double doubles and averages 13.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg with 21 blocked shots. Senior F Tom Summers has at least eight rebounds in five straight games and is averaging 9.5 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Freshman point guard Jordan Dean had his top-two scoring outputs of the season over the past two games with 13 and 21 points, respectively.

Next for CWRU: Sunday vs. Chicago, noon.

-- Information supplied

by CWRU athletics

Women

Case Western Reserve vs. Washington University

Tipoff: 6 p.m. at Horsburgh Gymnasium, Cleveland.

Notable: The Spartans (8-4, 1-0 UAA) begin one of their toughest stretches of the season with three straight games against top-10 nationally ranked teams. Junior G Evy Iacono, the team's leading scorer at 13.8 ppg, has three 20-plus scoring games this season. Senior F Erin Hollinger (Chardon) has 34 points and 13 rebounds over the past two games and is averaging 12.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg.

Next for CWRU: Sunday vs. Chicago, 2 p.m.

-- Information supplied by CWRU athletics

Lake Erie Monsters get shut out by Rivermen at Peoria

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Former Monster T.J. Hensick figured into the Rivermen's first three goals, scoring one and assisting on two more.

lake erie monsters logoView full size
The Lake Erie Monsters fell to the Peoria Rivermen, 4-0, on the road at Carver Arena on Thursday night.

Former Monster T.J. Hensick figured into the Rivermen's first three goals, scoring one and assisting on two more.

Also scoring for the Rivermen were Mark Cundari, David Nesbitt and Brett Sterling.

Ben Bishop stopped 38 shots for Peoria, while Lake Erie's Trevor Cann turned away 40, giving up three goals. Cundari's score was an empty-netter.

Peoria (19-16-2-1) has now won five of its past six games.

Lake Erie falls to 16-19-1-1.

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