Monsters erase deficit, double up the Griffins

The Columbus Blue Jackets got a glimpse of their future on Purple Night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and on this night, at least, that future looks bright.

Daniil Tarasov, a 2017 third-round draft choice by the Blue Jackets, made his North American debut on April 3 a successful one with 27 saves to help the Monsters handcuff the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-2, before 4,100 fans — the maximum allowed because of COVID-19 protocols.

Grand Rapids scored on the power play and then went up 2-0 with 53 seconds left in the first period. Mathias Brome got credit, but what was supposed to be a pass by Brome intended for teammate Turner Elson deflected off the skate of Monsters’ defenseman Gavin Bayreuther and past Tarasov into the Cleveland net.

The fluke goal seemed to steel the 6-foot-5 netminder from Siberia. He stopped the next 20 Grand Rapids shots — 11 in the second period and nine in the second — and watched his teammates rally from behind for the Monsters’ third straight victory.

“It was unfortunate for him and kind of gave you a look-see into his mental makeup,” Coach Mike Eaves said. “He didn’t get rattled. It probably happened to him before. He settled down.

“Some of the saves when he went side to side, he knew where the play was coming and anticipated well. He was square to the shooter. It was a good first impression for sure.”

Tarasov, 21, was on loan from the Blue Jackets playing for KHL Salavat Yulaev Ufa in Russia. They were eliminated from the playoffs on March 23. Less than two weeks later he was getting a taste of AHL hockey with the Blue Jackets’ top farm team. He is expected to remain with the Monsters the rest of the 2021 season.

“It’s a faster game over here,” Tarasov said through an interpreter. “The pucks are coming from pretty much everywhere. You have to be ready for everything.

“I’m happy for my teammates that everybody played well and we got the win.”

The Monsters got power play goals from Carson Meyer and Tyler Sikura in the first eight minutes of the second period. Kole Sherwood broke the 2-2 tie at 12:36 of the second. Sherwood made it 4-2 4:44 into the third. The way Tarasov was playing the two-goal lead was insurmountable.

“All the lines are rolling, 1 through 4 — the D too,” Sherwood said. “It was for Tarasov to get the win — his first game in North America. We’re playing a good brand of hockey.”