A first-place Cleveland team

The focus on Cleveland's winter sports season has been on the woeful Cavaliers (improbably leading the Lakers 70-61 as I type this article), but it's worth mentioning that Dan Gilbert's other winter sports team that calls the Q its home is currently in a tie for first place in the AHL's Western Conference North Division. Sure, 10 of the AHL's 30 clubs still sport a better mark than the 28-22-3-5 Monsters, but this is a big step forward for a franchise that's landed in 6th place in its seven-team division each of its three years of existence.

I, for one, am excited at the prospect of Playoff Hockey, especially if it's Playoff Dollar Beer Night Hockey. Go Monsters!