Monsters fall at Syracuse in shootout, 3-2

Host Syracuse tied the game midway through the third period, then won the shootout after a scoreless overtime period to beat the Monsters, 3-2, on Jan. 13.

After Syracuse opened the scoring with a goal just over 5 minutes into the game, Cleveland’s Mikael Pyyhtia tied it at 1-1 with 11:38 remaining in the first period. He was assisted by Trey Fix-Wolansky and Hunter McKown.

Alex Whelan gave the Monsters a 2-1 lead 8:48 into the second period, assisted by Justin Pearson.

In the shootout, the teams were tied at 2-2 when the Monsters’ Cameron Butler was denied and Syracuse’s Waltteri Merelä converted in the fourth round for the difference-maker.

Cleveland has lost three of its past four and fell to 23-10-1-1. The Monsters will play their first home game in 13 days when Lehigh Valley visits Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the first of two straight nights beginning Jan. 19.