Cleveland Monsters beat Toronto Marlies 4-2 at Rocket Arena

The Cleveland Monsters erased a 2-1 deficit with a three-goal third period to down the Toronto Marlies 4-2 Friday at Rocket Arena, lifting Cleveland to 26-16-6-1 and into third place in the AHL’s North Division. Jack Williams tied the game at 2-2 at 8:19 of the third, Owen Sillinger put the Monsters ahead at 11:35, and Zach Aston-Reese sealed the win with a goal at 17:48.

Toronto opened the scoring in the first period when Ryan Tverberg beat Zach Sawchenko at 5:03 to make it 1-0. Cleveland responded early in the second when Luca Del Bel Belluz scored 17 seconds into the period, with assists from Dysin Mayo and Mikael Pyyhtiä to level the score. Benoit-Olivier Groulx restored a Toronto lead at 17:30 of the second, sending the game to the third with the Marlies up 2-1.

The Cleveland scoring surge in the third featured timely playmaking. Williams’ 8:19 goal came on a feed from Hudson Fasching, Sillinger’s go-ahead tally at 11:35 was assisted by Luca Pinelli and Roman Ahcan, and Aston-Reese’s insurance marker at 17:48 was set up by Brendan Gaunce and Ahcan. Those three goals turned a one-goal deficit into a two-goal margin before the final horn.

Goaltender and shot numbers are listed in the Monsters’ official recap: Cleveland’s Zach Sawchenko "stopped 18 shots for the win" while Toronto’s Artur Akhtyamov "made 23 saves in defeat." The Monsters’ box score table shows team shots at Cleveland 27 and Toronto 20; special teams read Cleveland PP 0/2, Toronto PP 0/2, both teams PK 2/2, and penalty minutes 6 minutes for each club across three infractions. The save totals and shot totals as published do not align perfectly; the Monsters’ recap provided the saves and the Shots/Special Teams table cited the 27-20 shot split.

Cleveland’s victory continues a homestand stretch and sets up a quick turnaround: the teams meet again Saturday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Rocket Arena. Fans can follow the rematch with full coverage on Rock Entertainment Sports Network, SportsRadio 99.1 Powered by Rock Entertainment Group, AHLTV on FloHockey and the Monsters Hockey Network.

The Monsters’ recap, written by Samantha Barlow, also directs fans to the Monsters Mobile App presented by University Hospitals for updates and lists team social channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. With Williams, Sillinger and Aston-Reese delivering in the third and Sawchenko credited with the victory in goal, Cleveland will try to push its North Division position higher in the Saturday rematch at Rocket Arena.