SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On December 8, 2021, the Cleveland Monsters took down the Syracuse Crunch, 8-3. Cleveland forward Adam Helewka earned a four-point night in the form of a hat trick and an assist.
Those four points showed many positives from not just Helewka, but from the Monsters as a whole.
-
Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recapby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 12:42 am
In this episode of Full Press Hockey Weekly, Mike Straw goes solo as he […]
Helewka’s first goal of the night came 13:46 into the first period after Syracuse forward Charles Hudon tried to clear the puck out of the Crunch’s defensive zone by whacking it from the right corner. The puck didn’t get very far, as Hudon basically passed it to Cleveland forward Trey Fix-Wolansky. He skated up the boards before seeing Helewka sitting between the circles. After brushing the Crunch off with a little spin action, Fix-Wolansky passed the puck to Helewka, who made Darren Raddysh bite on the left before sliding the puck to the right and backhanding it past Syracuse netminder Max Lagace.
What you don’t see in the clip above is how Fix-Wolansky lurked on the right side of the ice for around 20 seconds, helping the play keep moving in a circular motion around the perimeter of the ice. By staying on one section of the ice, Fix-Wolansky was able to see when the right time was to finish the play.
Having someone posted along the boards on one side of the ice to help keep the play moving was a theme for the Monsters on Wednesday night.
A block by Cleveland defender Tim Berni with 3:47 left in the first period set Helewka’s second point of the night into motion.
Billy Sweezey picked up the blocked shot along the near wall and quickly passed it off to Cole Fonstad, who raced out of the defensive zone and cut across the neutral zone like a mad man. After Fonstad crossed the blue line into the Monsters’ offensive zone, he backhanded the puck to Helewka at the boards. Helewka swiftly skated to the top of the faceoff circle before launching the puck at the net. Lagace dove across the crease to stop the shot, but it was too late. Sweezey was already barreling towards the crease and tipped the shot in for the goal.
There are a few positives to point out on this play. Let’s start with the fact a defender helped start and finish the play. A defense that is able to step in on both ends of the ice allows the goaltender to breathe a bit and the offense to flourish.
Secondly, everyone saw Fonstand’s ability to control his speed and skating. He trucked through the neutral zone like a bat out of hell. However, once Fonstad hit the blue line and saw Helewka, he stopped skating and allowed momentum to push him towards the net. If Helewka had fumbled the puck or gotten tangled up with someone, Fonstad would have been able to quickly decide which way to start skating without breaking momentum. It also allowed Fonstad to save some energy in case he needed to chase down a puck or pick up a rebound.
Finally, as the season trudges along, Helewka’s brain continues to fire on more cylinders. The moment Helewka saw Sweezey pick up the blocked shot, he immediately headed towards the left boards and moved with the play from afar while being undetected by the Crunch. This allowed Fonstad to feel comfortable enough to pass the puck off to Helewka once he crossed the blue line. The Crunch were so focused on Fonstad that they didn’t even register Helewka being anywhere on the ice until it was too late. Helewka’s quick thinking and ability to sneak around the ice helped make this play turn into a goal.
Helewka’s third point of the night came in the form of a blue-collar goal, 12:58 into the third period. It wasn’t a pretty goal, but it doesn’t need to be pretty to be effective.
All season long, the Monsters have been playing up until they hear the whistle blow. They try to finish the play regardless of the cost. Why? Because they know a few extra whacks and pokes can lead to a goal.
A faceoff win by Brendan Gaunce in the Monsters defensive zone with 1:13 left in the game set Helewka’s fourth and final point into motion. To make things even better, it was his third goal of the night. Defensive zone faceoffs have been a bit of a struggle for the Monsters this season, so successfully executing a play immediately after a defensive zone faceoff win was a big deal for Cleveland.
Earlier, I mentioned how quickly Helewka’s brain can work. His swift thinking was on display during this goal. The moment Berni went behind Tarasov with the puck, Helewka raced down the right boards with an incredible amount of speed, and the Crunch could not keep up with him. Once Helewka received the puck from Cole Clayton, he had a lot of space at his disposal which allowed him to cut across the ice and make a play on the net.
If the Monsters can continue to build can continue to build upon all of these positives, they’ll start to see more success on the scoreboard.
-
Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recapby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 12:42 am
In this episode of Full Press Hockey Weekly, Mike Straw goes solo as he […]
-
Ep 36: NHL Draft; NHL Free Agency Previewby Full Press Coverage on July 13, 2022 at 11:45 am
In this episode, Mike Straw and Chris Wassel dive into NHL Free Agency and […]
-
Ep 35: Avalanche Win Stanley Cup; Hockey Hall of Fame; NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Jim and Chris react to the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup, the 2022 […]
-
Ep 34: NHL Coaching Retreads; Stanley Cup Final Talkby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Mike, Jim, and Chris discuss the never-ending NHL coaching retreads and […]
-
NHL Offseason: Matthew Tkachuk Traded To Florida, Patrik Laine Staying in Columbus and Moreby Full Press Coverage on July 24, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Jim is back once again joined by C.C. Hawkley of Full Press Hockey to […]
-
NHL Free Agency Frenzy Reviewby Full Press Coverage on July 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Jim is back once again to discuss NHL Free Agent Frenzy and where some of […]
-
Ep 76: They're Back! David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron Return To The Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 8:51 pm
Ian and Chris discuss and react to the re-signing of captain Patrice […]
-
Ep 75: Bergeron Undecided? David Krejci and NHL Free Agency Primerby Full Press Coverage on July 13, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the latest on Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and […]
-
S3Ep35 - NHL Offseason Editionby Jim Biringer on July 18, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Jim is joined by Marc Weiss and Coach Jay as they discuss the NHL […]
-
S3E34 - Colorado Avalanche Win Stanley Cupby Jim Biringer on July 4, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Jim is back once again to discuss the Colorado Avalanche winning the […]
-
Episode #389 - The Finaleby Full Press Coverage on July 26, 2022 at 2:27 am
It's time for us to wrap up another 4th Line show. This week we take one […]
-
Episode #388 - The 2022 NHL Free Agency Roadtripby Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 2:08 am
NHL teams got busy this week as they tried to sign all of the free agents! […]
-
Episode #387 - The 2022 NHL Draftby Full Press Coverage on July 8, 2022 at 2:10 am
It's draft night! We look back on the news of the week, as well as the […]
-
Episode #107: A Fine Championshipby Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 4:38 am
For the first time since 2019, a new Calder Cup champion has been crowned! […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Episode #107: A Fine Championshipby Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 4:38 am
For the first time since 2019, a new Calder Cup champion has been crowned! […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Ep 60: #KrejciForever and Raised Expectationsby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Ian and Chris talk about the Bruins post trade deadline turnaround and […]
-
Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]
-
8/19 - Deshaun Watson Suspension; Concern About Tom Brady's Absenceby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Deshaun Watson suspension and whether or not […]
-
Aaron Rodgers Addresses Early Camp Struggles for WRsby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Ian and John discuss some bumps in the road at Packers camp as Aaron […]
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers comments about the young wide receiver […]
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Ian and John discuss the Zach Wilson injury scare, Deshaun Watson's debut […]