The second round of the Calder Cup playoffs begins for the first place Cleveland Monsters. The Columbus Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate had a first round bye as the best team in the Northern Division. They get the Belleville Senators, the affiliate of Ottawa. Belleville defeated the Toronto Marlies in the round one qualifier.

Game 1 - May 1

Game 2 - May 3

Game 3 - May 8

Game 4 - May 10

Game 5 - May 12

Games 1-2 are on the road in Belleville.

Games 3-5 are at home in the Q.

A bunch of young forwards that played with the Blue Jackets down the stretch are back with Cleveland. Trey Fix-Wolansky; James Malatesta; Mikkael Pyyhita; Cameron Butler; and Tyler Angle are forwards we have seen down the stretch.

Luca Pinelli was signed to his three year entry level contract before the weekend after his time in the OHL completed. He joins for the run.

Josh Dunne and Hunter McKown are on the top six. Stefan Matteau is back in North America after a European trip.

The defense is their strength. David Jiricek and Stanislav Svozil are a strong unit. Billy Sweezey is the veteran. Jakub Zboril was a trade deadline addition form the Andrew Peeke deal. Jake Christiansen, Marcus Bjork, and Samuel Knazko are prominent youngsters. Corson Ceulemans is the prospect to watch. Nick Blankenburg is also back.

Jet Greaves and Malcom Subban are also both back in the crease after being the late season tandem in Columbus.

There is strength by the numbers for the best team in the AHL North.

Belleville is already a battle tested and proven winner after a round one dance. They will be looking to advance in the Division Final.

The winner of the series gets the winner of Rochester v Syracuse.

The veterans are leading the charge in Belleville. Veteran Garett Pilon leads the team in points after winning the cup last season in Hershey. Josh Currie, Jacob Larson, and Boko Imma are also in the system.

Their prospects have been quiet through the opener. Egor Solokov is the guy to watch down there. Mads Soogard had a 0.881 save percentage in 3 games. 8 goals allowed. Get the pucks on net.

I’m watching for Jiricek and Solokov.

My pick is the Monsters in 5. This will go the distance. The kids will learn. But the depth in Cleveland will pack the punch when needed to stop the Sens.

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