At the start of the 2019-20 season, Cleveland Monsters head coach MIke Eaves alternated starts for Matiss Kivlenieks and Veini Vehvialainen. Since the AHL is a development league for the NHL, Eaves felt having both goalies alternate as starters would improve their confidence and skill. Plus, alternating starts gave the tandem much needed breaks during back-to-backs or the dreaded three games in under 72 hours.
As the season drew on, Kivlenieks shone slightly brighter than Vehvilainen. Starting duties were still alternated but Kivlenieks seemed to have a better grasp of the game as it unfolded. He was able to handle whatever was thrown his way.