FRIDAY FEATURE: 'Beloved' By His Teammates, Subban Stepped Up For Monsters

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SYRACUSE, NY. -- Prior to Wednesday's Game 3 of the North Division Finals, Malcolm Subban had been the Cleveland Monsters' backup goaltender behind 2024 AHL All-Star goaltender Jett Greaves - with his last start coming seven weeks ago back in the beginning of April.

But with Greaves unable to play due to injury, it was Subban leading the Monsters onto the ice on the road in Syracuse

"I'm just trying to come in here, and just not think too much, just get in there, and try to give the boys a chance to win," Subban said of being thrown right into the middle of a playoff series.

Playing for their season in front of their home crowd, the Syracuse Crunch came out with an increased sense of urgency - out-shooting the Monsters 8-4 in the first period. But Subban and the Monsters were able to weather the storm and take a 1-1 game into the middle frame.

A back-and-forth game ensued, and when Syracuse broke through for two goals 1:05 apart late in the second period to take a 3-2 lead to the third period, the veteran goaltender dug in for the third period and made the necessary saves - nine out of 10 in the final frame - while his teammates in front of him broke through offensively to push the team across the finish line to a series-clinching win.

"I mean, it's tough. Like I said, they're a great team over there. It's never an easy game in [this] building, especially, and they get a lot of energy from their crowd, [and it was] a great crowd [in Game 3], but, you know, for me, I just try and, you know, just stay locked in and just keep it on the ice," Subban explained of riding the highs-and-lows of an intense playoff matchup.

Those two later second period goals swung momentum in Syracuse's favor at the time, but it ultimately didn't prevent Subban from returning for the third period and getting the job done.

"Just the simple things, just tracking the puck, little things like that, just to keep yourself calmed down, because it's easy to get lost in it," he added. "That can be tough, but you've got to stay even keel."

Subban was acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the trade deadline from the St. Louis Blues to help form a solid tandem with Greaves for the stretch run and postseason with a veteran goaltender fresh off a run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season with the Rochester Americans.

So when it came time to turn to Subban in net for Game 3, Monsters head coach Trent Vogelhuber knew - despite the tough circumstances - his goaltender would give his team a chance to win.

"That's why we went out and got him. We knew what kind of teammate he was. We knew what kind of resume he has as a goaltender," Vogelhuber said after Wednesday's win. "And it's not an easy thing to do, to sit out for seven weeks and come in in a huge game like this. He's beloved by the group. He's as good of a teammate as you can have. So I had a lot of faith in him as a goaltender and as a professional, that he'd be just fine. But our guys we're going to dig in for him because they care about him a lot. Like I said, not easy to do. I thought he did a great job."

How beloved by his teammates?

Forward Josh Dunne was quick to praise Subban stepping in and coming up with some key saves in crucial moments late in Wednesday's game.

"I mean, first off, he's been an unbelievable teammate. Since he first got here, all the guys loved him. He's kept a great attitude this whole time and he stepped in in a really hard position, and he played great for us -- he battled all night for us. So I'm super happy for him because he deserves it. Just just an incredible human, incredible guy and he works really hard. So I knew he was ready for this moment."