Tag: St. John’s IceCaps

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IceCaps game report

RECAP | Wolf Pack – IceCaps: Ending the Season on a High Note

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
Saturday April 16, 2016 
Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL

ICECAPS
St. John’s

 St.JohnsIceCaps

2-1

WOLF PACK
Hartford

(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Scherbak
Friberg – De la Rose – Dumont
Addison – Audette – Holloway
Bozon – MacMillan – Gregoire[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hanley – Dietz
Johnston – Ellis
Bourque – Didier[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Pasquale
Fucale

Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Mac Bennett, John Scott, Travis Brown, Cory Ward, Tom Parisi, Ben Scrivens, Brandon McNally, Angelo Miceli, Alexandre Ranger, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed)
Injured Reserve: Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Michael Bournival (concussion)

Game Report

For the final game of the season, the IceCaps did not disappoint their fans.  After a quickly played first period which again did not see any goals or penalties, the Wolf Pack struck first in the second period.

After that, it was Jacob de la Rose who stormed into the second frame with a beautiful shot from the high slot to tie the game.  Both goaltenders, Eddie Pasquale and Mackenzie Skapski, were lights out stopping shot after shot from either team.

In the third period Tim Bozon got the go-ahead goal and the IceCaps kept the Wolf Pack at bay for the rest of the game.  It was a tremendous way for the team to end their season as they saluted their St. John’s fans from center ice.

Prior to the game, awards were given out by the team to some of its players.  Michael McCarron was named Rookie of the Year, Zach Fucale was named Community Man of the Year, Josiah Dider was awarded the Hardest Working Player, Morgan Ellis won Top Defenceman, and captain Gabriel Dumont earned the MVP award for the season.

 

▲     Eddie Pasquale, Tim Bozon, Morgan Ellis, Michael McCarron, Charles Hudon, Daniel Audette, Max Friberg, Jacob de la Rose

▼
 Statistics 
ICECAPS WOLF PACK
 35 Shots 36
0 for 1 Power Play 0 for 2
4 Penalty Minutes 2
 Scoring
 FINAL 1 2 3 OT SO T
 IceCaps (32-33-8-3) 0 1 0 – – 1
 Wolf Pack (41-32-3-0) 0 1 1 – – 2
Scorers Goalies
  • STJ:  de la Rose (7), Bozon (5)
  • HFD:  Tambellini (17)
  • STJ: Pasquale (W) 13-10-3
  • HFD: Skapski (L) 4-7-0
 AHL Three Stars
ahl14_200  

  1. Eddie Pasquale  STJ
  2. Mackenzie Skapski  HFD
  3. Mark MacMillan  STJ
 Video highlights
 Post-game interview

Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report
 Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/721493888171532289

https://twitter.com/IceCapsBuddy/status/721496796489510912

Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter

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IceCaps game report

RECAP | Wolf Pack – IceCaps: Holloway Matches Personal Best, Sets New Record

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
Friday April 15, 2016 
Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL

ICECAPS
St. John’s

 St.JohnsIceCaps

1-4

WOLF PACK
Hartford

(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Scherbak
Friberg – De la Rose – Dumont
Addison – Audette – Holloway
Bozon – MacMillan – Gregoire[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hanley – Dietz
Johnston – Ellis
Bourque – Didier[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Fucale
Pasquale

Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Mac Bennett, John Scott, Travis Brown, Cory Ward, Tom Parisi, Ben Scrivens, Brandon McNally, Angelo Miceli, Alexandre Ranger, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed)
Injured Reserve: Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Michael Bournival (concussion)

Game Report

It’s been a week since the IceCaps had back-to-back win momentum against the Utica Comets and they seemed to lose a lot of energy during that time.

Tonight’s game was lackluster, at best.  No energy, no penalties until the third period, and not a lot in the way of shots.

Hartford, still in the hunt for a playoff position, tallied goal after goal and found themselves up 3-0 in the final frame.  A power play goal by Michael McCarron put the IceCaps on the board with Bud Holloway and Morgan Ellis assisting on the goal.  With that helper, Holloway tied his personal best for points in a season (61) and set a new team record for most assists in a season (42).

Zach Fucale had some tremendous saves in net, but the Wolf Pack kept coming and St. John’s just couldn’t muster anything close to a comeback.

The IceCaps close out their season on Saturday with one more game against the Hartford Wolf Pack.

▲     Morgan Ellis, Bud Holloway, Zach Fucale

▼
 Statistics 
ICECAPS WOLF PACK
 22 Shots 27
1 for 2 Power Play 0 for 1
4 Penalty Minutes 6
 Scoring
 FINAL 1 2 3 OT SO T
 IceCaps (31-33-8-3) 0 0 1 – – 1
 Wolf Pack (41-31-3-0) 1 1 2 – – 4
Scorers Goalies
  • STJ:  McCarron (17)
  • HFD:  Megna (15), Summers (3), Jensen (19), Nehring (22)
  • STJ: Fucale (L) 16-19-4
  • HFD: Skapski (W) 4-6-0
 AHL Three Stars
ahl14_200  

  1. Jayson Megna  HFD
  2. Chris Summers  HFD
  3. Bud Holloway  STJ
 Video highlights
 Post-game interview
 

Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report
 Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/721126137473007616

Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter

Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube

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Multimedia

IceCaps Weekly Wrap | A Week of Redemption [VIDEO]

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)

by Amy Johnson, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

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.

Watch and share!

Categories
IceCaps game report

RECAP | Comets – IceCaps: A Team Locked In

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
Sunday April 10, 2016 
Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL

ICECAPS
St. John’s

 St.JohnsIceCaps

7-1

COMETS
Utica

(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Scherbak
Friberg – De la Rose – Dumont
Addison – Audette – Holloway
Bozon – MacMillan – Gregoire[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hanley – Dietz
Johnston – Ellis
Parisi – Didier[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Pasquale
Fucale

Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Mac Bennett, John Scott, Travis Brown, Cory Ward, Simon Bourque, Ben Scrivens, Brandon McNally, Angelo Miceli, Alexandre Ranger, Eddie Pasquale, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed)
Injured Reserve: Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Michael Bournival (concussion)

Game Report

It wasn’t a fluke. Last night’s OT win wasn’t just a flash in the pan for the IceCaps, as they took to their home ice this afternoon with another energetic and determined 60 minutes of play.

Jacob de la Rose stood out yet again, potting the first goal just over a minute into the game.  He was soon followed by Morgan Ellis scoring his 16th of the season, with an assist by Bud Holloway.

Next it was Mike McCarron’s turn, handling a pass right out of the penalty box and skating it in for a backhander into the net. He was assisted by Holloway, who set a new single-season points record for the franchise with 60 points, and Tom Parisi who earned his first pro point.

The second period brought more of the onslaught.  Tim Bozon wristed one past the goaltender right off the bat, and then Nikita Scherbak found mesh after a series of clean passes from McCarron and Charles Hudon.

The Comets managed to get on the board, but the IceCaps and Eddie Pasquale kept them out of the net for the rest of the period – despite Utica coming at the net hard and peppering Pasquale with shot attempts.

In the third period, the ice continued to tilt in favor of the IceCaps as Hudon potted two goals of his own.  The second one came after McCarron dropped the gloves with Joseph LaBate and earned himself his first AHL Gordie Howe hat trick.

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

The St. John’s team seemed to get a bit undisciplined late in the third, giving up a series of penalties that allowed plenty of man-advantage time for the Comets, but Pasquale kept the Utica skaters at bay for an outstanding finish to the weekend.

The IceCaps close out their season by hosting the Hartford Wolfpack on Friday and Saturday nights at Mile One Centre.

▲     Jacob de la Rose, Michael McCarron, Morgan Ellis, Bud Holloway, Tom Parisi, Nikita Scherbak, Charles Hudon

▼
 Statistics 
ICECAPS COMETS
 39 Shots 31
0 for 4 Power Play 0 for 6
21 Penalty Minutes 17
 Scoring
 FINAL 1 2 3 OT SO T
 IceCaps (31-32-8-3) 3 2 2 – – 7
 Comets (36-25-8-4) 0 1 0 – – 1
Scorers Goalies
  • STJ:  de la Rose (6), Ellis (16), McCarron (16), Bozon (4), Scherbak (7), Hudon (27), Hudon (28)
  • UTI: Valk (2)
  • STJ: Pasquale (W) 12-10-3
  • UTI: Bachman(L) 16-12-5
 AHL Three Stars
ahl14_200  

  1. Ryan Johnston  STJ
  2. Charles Hudon  STJ
  3. Michael McCarron  STJ
 Video highlights
 Post-game interview
 

Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report
 Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/719264094612664320

https://twitter.com/CometsInGame/status/719241080034746368

Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter

Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube

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IceCaps game report

RECAP | Comets – IceCaps: The Boys Are Back

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
Saturday April 9, 2016 
Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL

ICECAPS
St. John’s

 St.JohnsIceCaps

3-2

COMETS
Utica

(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Hudon – McCarron – Scherbak
Friberg – De la Rose – Dumont
Addison – Audette – Holloway
Bozon – MacMillan – Gregoire[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Parisi – Didier
Bourque – Ellis
Bennett – Thrower[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Fucale
Pasquale

Scratches: Ben Scrivens, Brandon McNally, Angelo Miceli, Alexandre Ranger, Eddie Pasquale, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed)
Injured Reserve: Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Michael Bournival (concussion)

Game Report

Here was the night the IceCaps and their fans had been waiting for.  A strong team win, despite knowing that the playoffs are now out of reach.

Jeremy Gregoire was the first one to get on the scoreboard against the Utica Comets, assisted by Jeremiah Addison who notched his first pro point with the helper.  Addison made his debut in this game in addition to Daniel Audette and Simon Bourque.

Bourque would also get his first pro point on an assist to Jacob de la Rose’s power play goal in the third period, which would put the IceCaps ahead of the Comets 2-1.  Utica peppered netminder Zach Fucale all night long, outshooting St. John’s 49-27 when all was said and done.  Fucale looked strong and focused in net.

After Taylor Fedun scored the equalizer late in the third, earning his team a spot in the AHL playoffs, it was time for an extra period.  Morgan Ellis came up big for the IceCaps with a rocket one-timer from the top of the circle to give them a much-needed win.

The IceCaps finish out their season series against Utica tomorrow with a matinee game at Mile One Centre.

▲     Zach Fucale, Jacob de la Rose, Jeremiah Addison, Jeremy Gregoire, Max Friberg, Morgan Ellis

▼
 Statistics 
ICECAPS COMETS
 27 Shots 49
1 for 5 Power Play 1 for 5
12 Penalty Minutes 12
 Scoring
 FINAL 1 2 3 OT SO T
 IceCaps (30-32-8-3) 0 1 1 1 – 3
 Comets (36-24-8-4) 0 0 2 0 – 2
Scorers Goalies
  • STJ:  Gregoire (6), de la Rose (5), Ellis (15)
  • UTI:  Hamilton (8), Fedun (8)
  • STJ: Fucale (W) 16-18-4
  • UTI: Cannata (L) 19-12-6
 AHL Three Stars
ahl14_200  

  1. Zach Fucale  STJ
  2. Morgan Ellis  STJ
  3. Jeremy Gregoire  STJ
 Video highlights
 Post-game interview
 

Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report
 Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter
https://twitter.com/FlyersRule/status/718952098868518912

Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter

Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube

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Multimedia

IceCaps Weekly Wrap | Hitting Rock Bottom [VIDEO]

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)

by Amy Johnson, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

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.

Watch and share!

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Press release

ROSTER UPDATE | Canadiens and IceCaps Transaction Summary

A number of callups, reassignments , and PTO/ATO updates have occurred betwee the Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps in the past 48 hours.  Listed below is a summary of all roster news and information.

April 4 2016 Transaction Summary

St. John’s IceCaps Media Release

IceCaps sign Bourque to ATO
SIMON BOURQUE JOINS TEAM FROM RIMOUSKI

ST. JOHN’S, NL (April 4, 2016) – Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the IceCaps have signed defenceman Simon Bourque to a 25-Game Amateur Tryout contract (ATO).

Bourque, 19, has spent his entire three-year Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) career with the Rimouski Oceanic. In 2015-16, the six-foot-one, 184-pounder scored 12 goals and 46 points in 66 games.

The Longueuil, QC native was drafted by the Canadiens in the 6th round (177th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

 

de la Rose returns to St. John’s
JACOB DE LA ROSE JOINS ICECAPS AT HOME

ST. JOHN’S, NL (April 4, 2016) – Earlier today the Montreal Canadiens reassigned forward Jacob de la Rose to the IceCaps.

The 20-year-old registered an assist in 22 games with the Canadiens this season and has collected four goals and 11 points in 30 games with the IceCaps.

The Arvika, Sweden native was drafted by the Canadiens in the 2nd round (34th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

 

Yogan released from PTO
ANDREW YOGAN HEADS BACK TO CINCINNATI

ST. JOHN’S, NL (April 4, 2016) – Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the IceCaps have released left-winger Andrew Yogan from a 25-game Professional Tryout contract (PTO).

The 24-year-old registered a goal and five points in 15 games with St. John’s. Yogan collected 40 points in 32 games with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones this season, after previous stints in 2015-16 with the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch (two goals in four games) and Iowa Wild (four points in 16 games).

The six-foot-three, 205-pound native of Coral Springs, FL was drafted in the fourth round, 100th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

 

IceCaps Sign Addison to ATO
JEREMIAH ADDISON HEADS TO THE ROCK

ST. JOHN’S, NL (April 4, 2016) – Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the IceCaps have signed left-winger Jeremiah Addison to a 25-Game Amateur Tryout contract (ATO).

Addison, 19, spent the past two seasons with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and previous to that skated with the Saginaw Spirit for two campaigns. In 2015-16, the six-foot, 189-pounder scored 27 goals and 56 points in 66 games.

The Brampton, ON native was drafted by the Canadiens in the 7th round (207th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

 

Audette reassigned to IceCaps
DANIEL AUDETTE HEADS TO ST. JOHN’S FROM SHERBROOKE

ST. JOHN’S, NL (April 4, 2016) – Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the Canadiens have reassigned centre Daniel Audette to the IceCaps from the Sherbooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Audette, 19, has spent this entire four-year, junior career with the Phoenix, collecting 27 goals and 59 points in 52 games this season.

The five-foot-nine, 188-pounder from Blainville, QC was drafted by the Canadiens in the 5th round (147th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

 

John Scott and Ryan Johnston head to Habs
MICHAEL MCCARRON REASSIGNED TO ICECAPS

The Montreal Canadiens announced today they have recalled forward/defenceman John Scott and defenceman Ryan Johnston from the IceCaps and have reassigned forward Michael McCarron to St. John’s.

Scott, 33, has skated in 27 games with St. John’s, collecting two goals, four points and 85 penalty minutes. Earlier this season, the Edmonton native registered one assist and 25 penalty minutes in 11 games with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL.

The six-foot-eight, 260-pound forward has posted five goals, 11 points and 542 penalty minutes in 285 career regular season games with the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Coyotes.

Scott joined the Canadiens organization on January 15th along with defenceman Victor Bartley in a trade with Arizona for defenceman Jared Tinordi and forward Stefan Fournier. He was named MVP of the NHL Al-Star Game in January.

A product of the WCHA’s Michigan Tech Huskies, Scott totaled 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) in 126 games at the collegiate level.

Johnston, 24, signed a two-year, two-way contract (2015-16 to 2016-17) with the Canadiens in July. The rookie pro has nine assists in 34 games with the IceCaps.

In 38 regular season games with the Colgate University Raiders of the ECAC in 2014-15, the five-foot-10, 180-pounder led all team defensemen in assists (14) and ranked tied for first in points (15). Johnston registered five goals and 42 points in 110 regular season games in his three seasons with Colgate from 2012 to 2015.

Johnston has no NHL experience.

McCarron, the Macomb, Michigan native has collected 34 points in 53 games with the IceCaps and registered a goal and an assist in 20 games with the Canadiens in 2015-16 – his first season of professional hockey.

Despite his lengthy stay in Montreal, McCarron still sits fifth in IceCaps team scoring and first among St. John’s freshmen.

The six-foot-six, 231-pounder was selected in the first round, 25th overall by the Canadiens in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

 

Bakker back to Wheeling
SHANE BAKKER RELEASED FROM PTO

ST. JOHN’S, NL (April 2, 2016) – Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the IceCaps have released forward Shane Bakker from a 25-game Professional Tryout (PTO) contract.

Bakker, a six-foot-four, 210-pounder, registered a goal and 46 penalty minutes in 11 games with the IceCaps and earlier in the season, collected six assists in 20 games with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.

 

Thrower returns to IceCaps
DALTON THROWER JOINS ST. JOHN’S AT MILE ONE

ST. JOHN’S, NL (April 2, 2016) – Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the Canadiens have reassigned defenceman Dalton Thrower to the IceCaps from the Brampton Beast of the ECHL.

Thrower is scoreless in eight games with the IceCaps and has registered 20 penalty minutes.  The North Vancouver native has a goal, three assists and 60 penalty minutes in 29 contests with the Beast.

 

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IceCaps game report

RECAP | Phantoms – IceCaps: Disappointing Debut for Scrivens

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
Saturday April 2, 2016 
Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL

ICECAPS
St. John’s

 St.JohnsIceCaps

0-4

PHANTOMS
Lehigh Valley

(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Scherbak – Dumont – Holloway
Bozon – Miceli – Friberg
McNally – MacMillan – Gregoire
Yogan – Ward – Ranger[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Parisi – Didier
Scott – Ellis
Bennett – Johnston[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Scrivens
Fucale

Scratches: Shane Bakker, Charles Hudon, Christopher Joyaux, Eddie Pasquale, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed)
Injured Reserve: Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Michael Bournival (concussion)

Game Report

There’s not much more to say about this game other than that it was a complete meltdown for the IceCaps.  Ben Scrivens made his St. John’s debut in net and it was not a good night for him or the team in front of him.

The IceCaps found themselves down 3-0 in the first period, and yet again their power play unit couldn’t convert any of the five man advantages opportunities they were given.  Jay Rosehill got a match penalty for a dangerous hit to the head on Josiah Didier which sent Didier violently into the glass.  He got right up, however, and continued play.

The rest of the game was more of the same with Martin Ouellette having another outstanding game, for being essentially the Phantoms’ third-string goaltender.  Cole Bardreau scored a soft shorthanded goal in the third period to put the IceCaps away for good.

The IceCaps continue their homestand next weekend when the Utica Comets come to town.

▲     Morgan Ellis, Josiah Didier, Bud Holloway

▼     Ben Scrivens
 Statistics 
ICECAPS PHANTOMS
 31 Shots 22
0 for 5 Power Play 0 for 3
6 Penalty Minutes 18
 Scoring
 FINAL 1 2 3 OT SO T
 IceCaps (29-32-8-3) 0 0 0 – – 0
 Phantoms (31-32-4-3) 3 0 1 – – 4
Scorers Goalies
  • STJ:
  • LV:  Willcox (1), Brent (8), Bardreau (12)
  • STJ: Scrivens (L) 2-7-1
  • LV: Ouellette (W) 4-3-0
 AHL Three Stars
ahl14_200  

  1. Martin Ouellette  LV
  2. Colin McDonald  LV
  3. Cole Bardreau  LV
 Video highlights
 Post-game interview
 

Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report
 Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter
https://twitter.com/CanadiensMTL/status/716394085360275456

Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter

Be sure to follow @AllHabs on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube

Categories
IceCaps game report

RECAP | Phantoms – IceCaps: An Unwelcome Homecoming

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
Friday April 1, 2016 
Mile One Centre, St. John’s, NL

ICECAPS
St. John’s

 St.JohnsIceCaps

1-4

PHANTOMS
Lehigh Valley

(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]Friber – Dumont – Holloway
Hudon – MacMillan – Scherbak
McNally – Ward – Gregoire
Scott – Yogan – Bozon[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Didier – Ellis
Parisi – Johnston
Bennett – Joyaux[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Fucale
Pasquale

Scratches: Shane Bakker, Alexandre Ranger, Ben Scrivens, Angelo Miceli, Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed)
Injured Reserve: Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Michael Bournival (concussion)

Game Report

The last road trip of the season didn’t go well for the IceCaps. They probably were relieved to get back to St. John’s this week and take to their own home ice for the remainder of the year.  Their first visitors? The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, whom they hadn’t faced since October in Allentown.  The Phantoms didn’t make the IceCaps homecoming too sweet, however.

The first period looked good, with both teams getting a fairly even amount of shots, and no penalties.  Goaltenders Zach Fucale and Martin Ouellette looked strong in net and turned aside more than a few good shot attempts.

Charles Hudon was the recipient of a cross-check that sent him awkwardly into the boards and he had to be helped off the ice by a trainer and a teammate, looking woozy and unsteady.  He did not return to the bench.

In the second period, Taylor Leier put a puck past Fucale in the first minute and things went downhill from there for the home team.  Tim Bozon managed to get the IceCaps on the board, thanks to a helper by Cory Ward, but the Phantoms kept coming and finding ways to get the puck into the net.

The IceCaps only took two penalties in the game, but allowed a power play goal, while the Phantoms took six penalties and blanked the St. John’s power play units.  A late period empty netter by Lehigh Valley put the IceCaps away for good.

Brett Lernout was missing from the lineup as he was called up to the Montreal Canadiens on emergency status due to Nathan Beaulieu sustaining a thumb injury.  Ben Scrivens cleared waivers and arrived in St. John’s earlier in the afternoon, but did not dress for this matchup.

The series continues tomorrow night as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms return to Mile One for the fourth and final game between these two teams.

▲     Morgan Ellis, Andrew Yogan, Zach Fucale, Tom Parisi, Cory Ward

▼     Chris Joyaux, John Scott
 Statistics 
ICECAPS PHANTOMS
 28 Shots 32
0 for 6 Power Play 1 for 1
4 Penalty Minutes 14
 Scoring
 FINAL 1 2 3 OT SO T
 IceCaps (29-31-8-3) 0 1 0 – – 1
 Phantoms (30-32-4-3) 0 2 2 – – 4
Scorers Goalies
  • STJ: Bozon (3)
  • LV:  Leier (19), Comrie (6), Hagg (3), Swavely (1)
  • STJ: Fucale (L) 15-18-4
  • LV: Ouellette (W) 3-3-0
 AHL Three Stars
ahl14_200  

  1. Martin Ouellette  LV
  2. Taylor Leier  LV
  3. Bud Holloway  STJ
 Video highlights
 Post-game interview
 

Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report
 Social Media: Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter
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FEATURE | Former IceCap Eric Neilson: The Ultimate Pro

by Amy Johnson, Lead Correspondent, IceCaps Hockey Report

Neilson4
(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

MONTREAL, QC — “I don’t need to take any vitamin D pills that I was taking in St. John’s, ’cause you get lots of it from the sun!” quipped Eric Neilson shortly after our call connected, describing the beautiful weather he was quickly getting accustomed to in Missouri.  Neilson recently took some time out of his busy afternoon to chat about his move from the St. John’s IceCaps to the ECHL’s Missouri Mavericks.

“Hockey-wise, it’s been awesome,” he said.  “I’m actually playing more hockey – I’m actually playing more now with the Mavericks, ice time, then I have in the last three or four years.”

At time of writing, Neilson had tallied 17 games with the Mavericks in the short time he’s been with the team – compared to just six games played with St. John’s in the first half of the season.  “We’re first in the league, we’ve got really good teammates here, and we’ve got something special going.  So I’m having fun going to the rink every day,” he added.

(Photo courtesy of the Missouri Mavericks)
(Photo courtesy of the Missouri Mavericks)

Eric said it didn’t take long for the die-hard hockey fans in Missouri to welcome him as one of their own.  “They love their hard-hitting, hard-working, you know – they don’t mind a scrap or two every now and then.  They enjoy that part of the game, too.  So obviously me doing what I do and my role, I fit right in right away and I’ve met a lot of nice people, a lot of great people down here so far.”

A 6-foot-2-inch, 205 pound right-winger, Neilson was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2004 after playing a few seasons in the QMJHL with Rimouski Oceanic.  He made his pro debut with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL) in 2005 before playing with the Long Beach Ice Dogs (ECHL) in 2006 and the Alaska Aces (ECHL) in 2007.

During that season with the Aces, Neilson got called up to the AHL to play for the Peoria Rivermen.  He stayed with the Rivermen the following season, then went on to play with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2009.  Neilson played 38 games for the Bulldogs, scoring one goal and two assists.  After bouncing between a couple of other AHL teams, he found a home with the Syracuse Crunch in 2012 where he became a fan-favorite and team mainstay for three seasons.

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

Making trips to St. John’s with the Crunch prompted a new dream for Neilson to chase: playing hockey in Newfoundland.  “Every time we came into St. John’s it just felt like home to me,” said the Fredericton, NB native.  “Being from the Maritimes, being from Atlantic Canada, I love the feel.  I love the people.”

It didn’t take long for that dream to become reality.  Early in the 2015-16 season, Neilson was signed to a PTO by the IceCaps after being sent down to the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs.  The IceCaps Hockey Report team interviewed Eric after a road trip game against the Hershey Bears not long afterward – watch the video HERE.

From what we observed, it was apparent that Neilson not only made an impact on the ice, but also left a remarkable impression on his teammates, coaches, and surrounding staff members off the ice.  He says evolving into an upbeat team player was never an intentional choice, but rather a product of learning how to prove himself to new teammates ever since his days in junior.  “I learned the importance of being a good teammate and the communication wasn’t there, so you had to show other ways to express the way you’re gonna bring what you do for the team.”

For Neilson, getting the opportunity to play for the IceCaps, even if only for a few months, was everything he hoped it would be.  “I was so fortunate and so blessed to be able to go back and actually

(Photo courtesy of the St. John's IceCaps)
(Photo courtesy of the St. John’s IceCaps)

fulfill my dream of playing there,” he said sincerely.  “The people that I met there – Danny Williams and Glenn Stanford and the organization and the ownership, right down through the whole kit and caboodle, the staff.  It’s just something special.”

On January 16, 2016, just one month after signing Neilson to his second PTO, the IceCaps released him early after the Montreal Canadiens traded Jarred Tinordi and Stefan Fournier to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Victor Bartley and John Scott.  Neilson returned to the Manchester Monarchs who then traded him a few days later to the Missouri Mavericks for future considerations.

Now, he says, getting so much ice time in the ECHL allows Neilson to play more confidently and doesn’t require him to adjust his style of play.  “It’s a little bit slower than the American league, gives me a little bit more time to make a play with the puck or to react.”

In fact, Neilson has already lit the lamp twice for the Mavericks this season.  He laughed while recalling his first goal which came in his second game with Missouri.  “The puck was a rebound, I fanned on it.  The goalie made another save, I got the puck back again and I just fanned on it, actually, for the second time but this time it fooled the goalie, trickled through his legs and it was almost like it was a soft putt coming into the hole. It just barely crossed the goal line.”

Within the past couple of years, Neilson has realized that his hockey-playing goals have changed as he’s gotten older.  In a serious moment, he says he’s accepted that it’s possible he might not reach his “ultimate goal” of playing in the NHL but believes his role now serves a very important purpose.

“Now, for me, the goal and the motivation to come to the rink now is just to pass on what I’ve learned the last 10 years of my professional career to possibly a rookie or a second-year guy.  A younger kid who’s coming up through.”

He fondly recalls former teammates as an example.  “The smile on my face when I see a guy like Morgan Ellis get called up for the first time or when Dustin Tokarski got called up with Tampa Bay.  …Young guys that I’ve played with.”

For a seasoned veteran like Nielson, it’s moments like that which make all of the sacrifice and hard work worthwhile.  “I try to be a motivator and be a positive influence, have a positive attitude, and come to the rink every day with a smile on my face.”