by Amy Johnson, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report
ST. JOHN’s, NL — Every Tuesday, IceCaps Hockey Report’s lead contributor, Amy Johnson, reviews the most recent action involving prospects of the Montreal Canadiens and what to expect from the St. John’s IceCaps in the week ahead.
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| Saturday March 5, 2016 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL |
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ICECAPS |
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4-5 |
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DEVILS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]McNally – Scherbak – Holloway [one_half_last]Dietz – Lernout Goaltenders: Fucale Scratches: Shane Bakker, Angelo Miceli, Travis Brown, Dalton Thrower, Michael Bournival (concussion), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportDespite a few battle scars from the previous night, the IceCaps took to their home ice on Saturday night ready for another round with the Albany Devils. And they came out blazing. Nikita Scherbak continued his success on the first line with a power play goal just six minutes into the game, assisted by Bud Holloway and Ryan Johnston. Joel Hanley also found the back of the net with assists from Max Friberg and Andrew Yogan. But then the Devils found their footing. By the end of the first period, they had answered with four consecutive goals. The IceCaps only mustered three shots on goal in the period, which didn’t help them keep the scoring more even. Holloway got one goal back for St. John’s in the second period, and then in third it was Brandon McNally who got the equalizer in the third. Both teams had a couple of good chances late in regulation but the goaltenders kept the score even at four each. Overtime gave the IceCaps an opportunity to get six more shots on goal, but none of them would get through. Yogan took a holding penalty and the Devils scored the winner on the ensuing power play. Despite the loss, it was a good night for Scherbak with a goal and two assists, and newcomer Yogan has tallied an assist in each of the two games he’s played for St. John’s. He had to be helped off the ice at the end of the game, however, after going down awkwardly and favoring his left foot. The Icecaps now look to Tuesday night when the Binghamton Senators come to St. John’s for a two-night series. ▲ Bud Holloway, Nikita Scherbak, Josiah Didier, Andrew Yogan ▼ Zach Fucale |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | CRUNCH | |
| 27 | Shots | 31 |
| 1 for 4 | Power Play | 1 for 4 |
| 8 | Penalty Minutes | 8 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
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Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/706298340015775745
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| Saturday February 27, 2016 Oncenter War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, NY |
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ICECAPS |
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5-1 |
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CRUNCH |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]McNally – Scherbak – Holloway [one_half_last]Dietz – Lernout Goaltenders: Pasquale Scratches: Angelo Miceli, Mac Bennett, Dalton Thrower, Michael Bournival (concussion), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportThey needed a win in a big way. So they won in a big way. Tonight’s final game of the road trip started much like the others before it: the Crunch scored first in the opening frame and the IceCaps found themselves down on the scoreboard. But with about two minutes remaining in the first period, Joel Hanley potted his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Charles Hudon and Gabriel Dumont. Then to open the second period, newcomer Travis Brown netted his first of the season with the help of Bud Holloway and Nikita Scherbak. Taking the lead seemed to give the IceCaps a much-needed jolt of energy and they took the rest of the game handily. Alexandre Ranger also scored his first of the season before Hudon found mesh on the power play in the third period. Dumont wrapped things up with an empty-netter late in the third. So what were the keys to winning tonight, especially with key players like Mike McCarron, Morgan Ellis, Jacob de la Rose, and Sven Andrighetto all called up to Montreal? Shots on goal and discipline. The team has recently struggled with their shot count, but tonight dominated in this category 45-30. They also stayed out of the penalty box, only giving up one power play to the Crunch in the final seconds of the game. The Icecaps now head back to Newfoundland for some rest and practice before taking home ice at Mile One on Friday night when the Albany Devils come to St. John’s. ▲ Bud Holloway, Eddie Pasquale, Joel Hanley, Charles Hudon, Gabriel Dumont ▼ |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | CRUNCH | |
| 45 | Shots | 30 |
| 1 for 4 | Power Play | 0 for 1 |
| 9 | Penalty Minutes | 15 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
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Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/703769114704109568
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
| Tuesday January 12, 2016 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL. |
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ICECAPS |
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1-2 |
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PENGUINS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Holloway [one_half_last]Hanley – Lernout Goaltenders: Fucale Scratches: Eric Neilson, Brandon McNally, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed) Game ReportAfter a dismal weekend series against the Portland Pirates, the IceCaps came out in full force for tonight’s tilt with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Captain Gabriel Dumont made a statement 21 seconds into the game by burying the first shot on goal past Matt Murray. The first period went mostly in St. John’s favor, with the team staying disciplined and dominating in the offensive zone. Passes were clean, and the team skated hard. The IceCaps outshot the Penguins 13-8 in the opening frame, but as the period wound down the Penguins started to gain some energy. In the second period, it was all Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Physicality picked up, with two fights and multiple hard hits, and it seemed the Penguins drained the energy out of the IceCaps. Giving up a power play goal midway through the period compounded the home team’s frustration. Despite having five opportunities on the man advantage the IceCaps power play unit couldn’t convert, showing continued signs of struggle. St. John’s tried to get things back to even late in the third but it was too little, too late. They have yet to notch a win on this homestand, and will face the Penguins again tomorrow night. The second line of Michael Bournival, Jacob de la Rose, and Gabriel Dumont were the best on the ice tonight, creating chances and maintaining pressure. The new third line of Lucas Lessio, Markus Eisenschmid, and Max Friberg was an interesting combination which could potentially heat up if left to build chemistry. ▲ Lucas Lessio, Zach Fucale, Jacob de la Rose ▼ Joel Hanley, Josiah Didier |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | PENGUINS | |
| 34 | Shots | 23 |
| 0 for 5 | Power Play | 1 for 3 |
| 18 | Penalty Minutes | 22 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
| Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
Quotes and audio courtesy of Rocket Sports Media |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/687084965645934596
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
| Wednesday December 16, 2015 Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL |
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ICECAPS |
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5-1 |
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DEVILS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Lessio – McCarron – Holloway [one_half_last]Barberio – Dietz Goaltenders: Pasquale Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Mac Bennett, Eric Neilson, Jacob de la Rose (undisclosed), Mac Bennett, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportIf the previous night’s game against the Albany Devils was exciting, this night’s game greatly surpassed it. Michael McCarron got things rolling just 30 seconds after puck drop with his 11th goal of the season, assisted by Bud Holloway. Next up it was Angelo Miceli with his third tally of the season, quickly followed by another McCarron goal – this one on the power play. Scott Wedgewood, giving up three goals on six shots, took a seat on the bench as Yann Danis was tapped to replace him in net. Frustration for the Devils started to boil over, with Thompson dropping the gloves with Didier, and scrums popping up at every stoppage. The second period saw a complete change on the ice as Albany came out strong, outshooting the IceCaps 18-7 and getting one goal back. Then the power play unit came up big for St. John’s once again as Joel Hanley potted one, and McCarron topped off the night with a third goal to complete his second hat trick of the season.  Eddie Pasquale stood tall in net during this game, giving up only one goal on 46 shots. Lucas Lessio made his IceCaps debut, after being acquired from Arizona in exchange for Christian Thomas. Lessio found himself on the top line with McCarron and Bud Holloway. The IceCaps now have some time off for a holiday break, after which they’ll head out on their next road trip beginning in Toronto on Boxing Day. ▲ Michael McCarron, Eddie Pasquale, Lucas Lessio, Michael Bournival ▼ |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | DEVILS | |
| 23 | Shots | 46 |
| 2 for 6 | Power Play | 0 for 9 |
| 17 | Penalty Minutes | 23 |
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
Quotes and audio courtesy of Rocket Sports Media |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/677300598648213504
https://twitter.com/LiL_Lady_34/status/677346493293031425 Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
| Wednesday December 2, 2015 Times Union Center, Albany, NY |
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ICECAPS |
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1-2 |
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DEVILS |
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LineupForward lines and defense pairings: [one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Holloway [one_half_last]Tinordi – Ellis Goaltenders: Tokarski Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Mark Barberio (undisclosed), Eric Neilson, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Jacob De la Rose (lower-body), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Game ReportThe IceCaps, looking to continue their win streak, started off tonight’s game in Albany with seven shots on goal in the first period. It would be the highest number of shots on goal for St. John’s in any period for the rest of the game. After a fairly uneventful opening 10 minutes, Michael McCarron got called for a boarding penalty which led to a quick power play goal by the Devils. 20 seconds later, Gabriel Dumont responded with a goal of his own to even the score, assisted by Joel Hanley and Stefan Fournier. Not long after that, Jeremy Gregoire and Corey Tropp dropped the gloves for a spirited fight. But it was a hard hit to the head on Jeremy Gregoire in the second period that sent Dan Kelly to the dressing room for the night with a match penalty. Gregoire eventually made his way off the ice under his own power, albeit very bloodied. The Devils peppered Dustin Tokarski all night long. Tokarski, down from the Habs on a conditioning stint, responded well after shaking off some the rust from not playing in Montreal yet this season. He had some key saves during the game and especially in overtime. Outshot 38-18 by the Albany Devils, the IceCaps couldn’t get out of their own zone long enough to get the game winner before Paul Thompson found an opening short side to end the game. Also down for a conditioning stint is Jarred Tinordi, who played exceptionally well throughout the game. The IceCaps have now earned points in nine straight games. ▲ Charles Hudon, Jarred Tinordi, Gabriel Dumont, Dustin Tokarski ▼ |
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| Statistics | ||
| ICECAPS | DEVILS | |
| 18 | Shots | 38 |
| 0 for 5 | Power Play | 1 for 5 |
| 17 | Penalty Minutes | 21 |
| Scoring | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| AHL Three Stars | ||
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| Video highlights |
| Post-game interview | |
Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
Quotes and audio courtesy of timesunion |
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| Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/672243947410993152
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
More reinforcements en route to St. John’s
NINE MORE PLAYERS REASSIGNED
St. John’s IceCaps MEDIA RELEASE
MONTREAL, QUEBEC (September 27, 2015) –Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced today that nine players have been reassigned to the St. John’s IceCaps.
The following players have been assigned to St. John’s:
Michael McCarron
Jeremy Grégoire
Darren Dietz
Joel Hanley
Daniel Carr
Bud Holloway (ƀ)
Christian Thomas (ƀ)
Gabriel Dumont (ƀ)
Morgan Ellis (ƀ)
(ƀ) – requires NHL waivers
There are still 31 players at Montreal’s camp (18 forwards, 10 defensemen, 3 goaltenders); including four injured players: Max Pacioretty, Nikita Scherbak, Noah Juulsen and Michaël Bournival.
The newest IceCaps will travel to Newfoundland and Labrador tonight to continue their training camp. St. John’s will play three pre-season games against the Toronto Marlies on October 1st, 2nd and 4th.
IceCaps season tickets remain available and can also be purchased in person at the Mile One Centre box office, by phone at 709-576-7657 or online at www.mileonecentre.com.