The 2010-11 campaign marked a breakthrough season for Lake Erie right winger Matt Ford.

In just his third year as a professional, the product of the University of Wisconsin (WCHA) ranked third on the Monsters’ depth chart with 42 points, while his 26 goals ranked first on the team and tied a franchise mark for single-season tallies (Brian Willsie, 2009-10).

Through 76 games, Ford totaled 193 shots on goal which also led the Monsters. He was instrumental on Lake Erie’s special teams units, totaling 11 power-play points (6G, 5A), along with a goal and an assist in shorthanded situations.

Perhaps his most notable contribution to the Monsters this year was his clutch scoring, as he netted a team-leading six game-winning goals. With two decisive tallies during the 2009-10 season, Ford has totaled eight game-winners in the Lake Erie uniform, placing him first among all-time franchise leaders.

Ford was signed by Lake Erie to an AHL contract on April 10, 2010.

2010-11 Season Highlights:

October 8, 2010: Scored the game-winning goal and dished out an assist in 3-2 victory over Syracuse on opening night.

October 24, 2010: Registered second multi-point game of the season by scoring the game-winning goal and recording an assist in 3-2 victory over Houston.

November 21 – November 23, 2010: Totaled three points (2G, 1A) in two-game set against Chicago.

December 3 – December 7, 2010: Ran a three-game goal-scoring streak in helping the Monsters gain four of a possible six points in a win over Chicago (6-3) and shootout losses to Peoria (3-2) and Abbotsford (3-2).

December 26, 2010 – January 4, 2011: Ran a personal-best five-game point streak (2G, 3A).

February 16, 2011: Recorded first three-point (2G, 1A) outing of the season, which included the game-winning goal, in 4-2 victory over Texas.

April 6 – April 10, 2011: Posted six points (4G, 2A) during a four-game point streak, including his sixth game-winner of the season, helping the Monsters win three of their final four regular season games.

April 16, 2011: Scored the first playoff goal in Lake Erie history, along with the game-winning tally on his way to first-star honors in 6-4 victory over Manitoba.

Broadcaster Ben Holden takes a look back on Ford’s successful season as a Monster:

Season Rewind…Ryan Stoa

Season Rewind…Luke Walker

Rookie Rewind…Mark Olver