The Lake Erie Monsters capped off a dominant AHL post-season with a Calder Cup championship on Saturday, thanks to a thrilling 1-0 overtime win over the Hershey Bears.
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored on a scramble in front with two seconds remaining in the first overtime period to lift the Monsters to a series sweep of the Bears. Lake Erie, AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, finished the playoffs with an overall record of 15-2.
That includes nine straight wins.
The #CalderCup is back in Cleveland thanks to this OT game winner by @OBjorkstrand! #SCTop10 #BattleTogetherhttps://t.co/OJGfVMvGwD
— Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) June 12, 2016
Bjorkstrand named MVP.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 12, 2016
The Monsters triumphed on home ice in front of a massive crowd of 19,665 fans at Quicken Loans Arena.
Sold-out @TheQArena (19,665) tonight is the second-largest playoff crowd in #AHL history
— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) June 12, 2016
Cleveland's first Cup since 1964. #AHL
— PATRICK WILLIAMS (@pwilliamsAHL) June 12, 2016
The all-time #AHL attendance record is 20,103 set in Philadelphia in 2005. Tonight's game will place second in league history.
— PATRICK WILLIAMS (@pwilliamsAHL) June 11, 2016
Despite the loss, Bears goalie Justin Peters was sensational as this game turned into a classic goalie duel. He made several key saves, including an amazing desperation stick save on Blue Jackets prospect Sonny Milano in the second period.
At the other end, Anton Forsberg wasn’t quite as busy, facing 23 shots, but he was also strong, particularly in overtime when the Bears pressed for the winner to extend the series.
Related: One win away from Calder Cup, Lake Erie has ‘everybody under contract’ in Columbus on notice