
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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Statistics | ||
ICECAPS | AMERICANS | |
32 | Shots | 46 |
0 for 4 | Power Play | 0 for 5 |
12 | Penalty Minutes | 10 |
Scoring | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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AHL Three Stars | ||
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Video highlights |
Post-game interview | |
Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/IceCapsReport/status/713446918509170690
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
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Statistics | ||
ICECAPS | AMERICANS | |
25 | Shots | 34 |
0 for 2 | Power Play | 1 for 5 |
19 | Penalty Minutes | 13 |
Scoring | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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AHL Three Stars | ||
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Video highlights |
Post-game interview | |
Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report |
Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/IceCapsReport/status/712733685464899585
https://twitter.com/TheAHL/status/712803065045319680
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
Statistics | ||
ICECAPS | AMERICANS | |
27 | Shots | 30 |
1 for 4 | Power Play | 1 for 5 |
12 | Penalty Minutes | 10 |
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 Rocket Sports Media |
Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/682393442144616448
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
Statistics | ||
ICECAPS | AMERICANS | |
39 | Shots | 28 |
0 for 6 | Power Play | 1 for 5 |
17 | Penalty Minutes | 15 |
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 Rocket Sports Media |
Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/IceCapsAHL/status/675474313907081216
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
Statistics | ||
ICECAPS | AMERICANS | |
31 | Shots | 35 |
1 for 5 | Power Play | 1 for 6 |
12 | Penalty Minutes | 10 |
Scoring | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
AHL Three Stars | ||
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|
![]() |
Video highlights |
Post-game interview | |
Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
Quotes courtesy of |
Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/670416308824104964
Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter |
Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube
by Nic Phelan, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report
ST. JOHN’S, NL. — The IceCaps had a big opening weekend in St. John’s against the Rochester Americans. As they took both games by scores of 5-2 and 6-2 respectively.
In Game 1 the Christian Thomas – Michael McCarron – Daniel Carr line made some noise registering two goals from Thomas on some fast transition plays. McCarron enjoyed the experience playing with the two wingers saying “[Thomas and Carr] are two veteran guys who have been around, they really want the puck, so it’s my job to get the puck to them.”
Zachary Fucale also made his first professional start allowing two goals on 33 shots. His head coach spoke highly of his debut. “I know he’s won some pretty big games in World Juniors and the Memorial Cup, he looked good out there” said Sylvain Lefebvre.
Sven Andrighetto also tallied a pair and veteran Bud Holloway rounded out the scoring with one of his own.
In Game two, the McCarron line took over once again, but this time it was the big centerman making noise as he registered his first career goal, and had a far shorter wait for goals number 2 and 3 as he completed the hat trick.
Both games were taken over by the diminutive Thomas and Andrighetto, as they showed the stuff that saw them called up with the Canadiens at times last year. Dustin Tokarski got the nod in game 2 and rebounded from a rough loss last weekend allowing just two goals on 31 shots. Thomas added his third in two nights, while Morgan Ellis and Joel Hanley found themselves on the scoreboard as well.
But the night was overshadowed by McCarron, and it was a big shadow. Standing at 6-foot-6-inches and a lean 228 pounds, he left a lasting impression on the IceCaps fans. It was clear McCarron was sent down to refine his game, and it was evident his skating will likely be a part of that refinement. But what he was working on with his skating, he more than made up with his size and hockey smarts.
First impression of McCarron is that he has a high hockey IQ. He understands his place on the ice, finding his way to the front of the net making life impossible for opposing defensemen and goaltenders. He has the tools to make a very successful career out of that role. A role which is currently undertaken by Brendan Gallagher on the first power-play unit, Habs fans should be drooling over the prospect of this mammoth working his magic in the crease for years to come.
Furthermore, and perhaps more impressive, was his defensive game. Coach Lefebvre chose to give McCarron more responsibility on the penalty kill in game 2, filling in where Jacob De La Rose stood the night before. It’s another reminder of what the AHL can provide for these top prospects. The Canadiens are so focused on putting the right players on the ice every time, whereas the AHL affords an opportunity to give many players exposure in different scenarios.
After game one we had the opportunity to speak with McCarron, and he was cleared excited about the experience so far “I got to play in front of some pretty big crowds in London and Oshawa, in the Memorial Cup [Quebec City] got to play in some big rinks and this was right up there it was pretty fun. [The fans] were electric.”
McCarron went on to say “I think i’m still trying to figure out this league, you don’t have that much time with the puck anymore, you got to make quicker plays.“ It was clear in game 2 that McCarron had figured it out, and if he can continue to bring that energy on a nightly basis we could be in for a treat late into the 2016 spring.
IceCaps join new division with arch-rival Toronto
Ottawa, Vancouver affiliates among teams in North Division
St. John’s IceCaps Media Release
ST. JOHN’S, NL. – The St. John’s IceCaps – proud new American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens – will move to a newly-formed division next season which includes natural rival, the Toronto Marlies.
As part of league realignment announced by the AHL today in Chicago, the IceCaps will now play in the North Division of the Eastern Conference alongside the Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs), Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators), Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks), Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres), Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Albany Devils (New Jersey Devils).
In their previous four seasons, the IceCaps competed in the Atlantic Division with the Portland Pirates, Worcester Sharks, Providence Bruins and Manchester Monarchs.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this new AHL division,” said IceCaps COO and Governor Glenn Stanford. “The IceCaps rivalries with the Marlies and Senators will become some of the most heated in the league, as they currently are with the respective parent clubs. And I’m sure rivalries with our other new division-mates will develop once the season gets underway. St. John’s fans will also get their first-ever glimpse of teams like Rochester and Utica next season. Overall, a great day to be an IceCaps fan.”
IceCaps Season tickets can be purchased in person at the Mile One Centre box office (noon-5 p.m.), by phone at 709-576-7657 (9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.), or online at www.mileonecentre.com
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)
Hershey Bears (WSH)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI)
Portland Pirates (FLA)
Providence Bruins (BOS)
Springfield Falcons (ARI)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)
North Division
Albany Devils (NJ)
Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Rochester Americans (BUF)
St. John’s IceCaps (MTL)
Syracuse Crunch (TB)
Toronto Marlies (TOR)
Utica Comets (VAN)
Western Conference
Central Division
Charlotte Checkers (CAR)
Chicago Wolves (STL)
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Iowa Wild (MIN)
Lake Erie Monsters (CBJ)
Manitoba Moose (WPG)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI)
Pacific Division
Bakersfield Condors (EDM)
Ontario Reign (LA)
San Antonio Rampage (COL)
San Diego Gulls (ANA)
San Jose Barracuda (SJ)
Stockton Heat (CGY)
Texas Stars (DAL)
The format for the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs will be finalized by the Board of Governors at its Annual Meeting in Hilton Head Island, S.C., July 6-9, and the complete playing schedule for the 2015-16 regular season, which begins Oct. 9, will be announced later this summer.
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
HAMILTON, ON — The Hamilton Bulldogs entered Friday’s contest against the Rochester Americans (AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres) having lost their last match on Wednesday against the Adirondack Flames in overtime by a score of 5-4. Entering Friday’s matchup, the Bulldogs sit second in the North Division with a record of 28-21-9, good enough for 65 points. Rochester, however, is last in the North with a record of 24-29-6, for 54 points.
Friday’s game at FirstOntario Centre, however, had a similar outcome just like Wednesday’s tilt, with Hamilton losing, again. The Americans were able to defeat the ‘Dogs by a score of 3-1.
Game Rundown
The Americans saw their first solid scoring opportunity eight minutes into the first as the Amerks’ shot the puck at Bulldogs goaltender Joey MacDonald and it squeaked right behind him, almost over the red line. But defenceman Davis Drewiske cleared the puck. Close call.
Towards the end of the first period, an odd situation occurred. A sheet of glass on the Americans bench shattered and delayed the game for about 15 minutes. Rochester’s backup goaltender Tim Boron nearly took a puck to the head and left briefly to clean the glass off himself.
Moments later, the game entered the first intermission scoreless.
At the 7:35 mark in the second period, TJ Hensick scored a goal but it was waved off because it was kicked in. The play was not reviewed and the game remained scoreless.
The second period picked up it’s intensity and saw the Bulldogs direct eight shots on goal (for a two period total of 23.) The Bulldogs came close to scoring on their power-play towards the end of the period, but time expired. The ‘Dogs entered the third with 40 seconds remaining on the man advantage.
The Americans started the third period on a good note as they would take the first lead of the game, thanks to Evan Rankin who squeezed the puck by Joey MacDonald on a 2-on-1 pass.
Seconds after the Americans goal the Bulldogs tied the game after a bullet of a shot from Greg Pateryn at the blueline which went through traffic in front past Matt Hackett.
The Americans struck again to take their second lead of the night with Chad Ruhwedel netting the goal after Joey MacDonald saved a point shot, but created a rebound and was found out of position. That was Ruhwedel’s his eighth goal of the season.
The Americans sealed the deal with an empty net goal with seven seconds left in the period.
Notes
By Dale Lamontagne, Hamilton Bulldogs Correspondent, Bulldogs Hockey Report
HAMILTON, ONT — It was a pretty special night in Hamilton, as the Bulldogs hosted the Rochester Americans on toy toss night, in support of the CHML, Y108 and 953 Fresh FM Children’s Fund, that will deliver the toys to children in need just in time for Christmas – and that always draws a good crowd.
GAME RUNDOWN
As noted above, tonight was a pretty special night at First Ontario Centre for the toy toss, and the Bulldogs had several chances in the opening period to score a much anticipated goal that would trigger the toy toss madness. But however, they failed to convert.
Every shot and every chance the Bulldogs had to score, the fans got louder, and louder anticipating a goal. But the Bulldogs did not get one, so fans would have to wait for the second period.
The second period would be a lot more special.
Hamilton’s forward Daniel Carr scored the first goal of the game and triggered the toy toss extravaganza, which lasted a good ten minutes with Bulldogs personnel cleaning up the thousands of wrapped teddy bears. It was quite the scene to witness.
Several minutes after the Bulldogs scored the first goal of the game, the Americans evened it up with a goal coming from Johan Larsson.
Moments after Larsson’s goal that tied things up for Rochester, they took the lead after Dan Catenacci deflected the puck in front, beating Mike Condon.
On Hamilton’s penalty kill, Condon made a huge cross-crease save that kept the game at 2-1 Rochester.
The Bulldogs were able to tie things with with 3:49 left in the second period after T.J. Hensick tapped in the loose puck that was sitting on the blueline after Drayson Bowman shot a puck off Nathan Lieuwen, which trickled behind him.
The Bulldogs were rolling at this point, and Jacob De La Rose had a wonderful chance to give the ‘Dogs the lead after receiving the puck at the top of the circle and firing a slap shot that would land right in the chest of Lieuwen.
With just 17 seconds remaining, Hensick came down the wing and chipped a weak shot past Lieuwen. That was Hensick’s second goal of the game and Hudon’s second assist of the night.
The third period was a lot more physical than the first two with players getting involved in after whistle scrums, and many more hits.
The Bulldogs played a good third period keeping their lead intact and they held on to take the win by a score of 3-2.