Scratches: Mac Bennett, Jeremy Gregoire, John Scott, Connor Crisp (undisclosed)
Game Report
The IceCaps haven’t had a good run of things at home this week, losing all four games they’ve played at Mile One Centre since returning from their last road trip. Tonight’s game needed to be successful, especially given the roster and line combo upheaval the IceCaps and their parent team, the Montreal Canadiens, had experienced during the previous 24 hours.
To recap the roster moves and trades, Jacob de la Rose was recalled to the Montreal Canadiens, Daniel Carr and Sven Andrighetto were reassigned to the IceCaps, Brandon McNally was reassigned to the Brampton Beast, the Canadiens traded Jarred Tinordi and Stefan Fournier to Arizona in exchange for John Scott and Victor Bartley, and Eric Neilson was released from his PTO. Bartley stayed with Montreal, but Scott is due to report to the IceCaps on Sunday. Nikita Scherbak came back from injury for this game, and Ryan Johnston made his pro debut coming off IR from back surgery.
Less than a minute into the game Eddie Pasquale gave up a goal on the the Marlies’ first shot on goal, by Brendan Leipsic. It was soon followed by another one and St. John’s found themselves down 2-0. The reunited first line of Carr, Michael McCarron, and Bud Holloway rediscovered their chemistry pretty quickly, though, and connected to give Holloway the first IceCaps goal of the night. Less than 60 seconds later Charles Hudon fires a laser through Antoine Bibeau and the game was tied 2-2.
But before the end of the first period, Leipsic would find the back of the net again, as would Nikita Soshnikov. Pasquale was pulled from net again, and the IceCaps looked to find an answer that simply wouldn’t surface. Discipline proved to be a problem as the game wore on, with St. John’s taking six consecutive minor penalties through the first and second periods alone.
Leipsic would add insult to injury in the second period by earning himself a hat trick. Another Toronto goal after that proved to be an insurmountable comeback for the IceCaps even with a late game goal by Carr. The IceCaps face the Marlies again on Sunday for a matinee game at Mile One.
▲ Daniel Carr, Sven Andrighetto, Bud Holloway, Michael McCarron
Andrighetto and Carr reassigned to IceCaps, de la Rose recalled to Canadiens
SVEN ANDRIGHETTO AND DANIEL CARR RETURN TO ST. JOHN’S
St. John’s IceCaps Media Release
ST. JOHN’S, NL — Forwards Sven Andrighetto and Daniel Carr have been reassigned to the IceCaps and forward Jacob de la Rose recalled to the Montreal Canadiens.
Carr played 17 games with Canadiens collecting five goals – including his first NHL goal on the first shift of his first NHL game, on December 5 – and two assists over 17 outings. The 24-year-old had eight goals and 17 points in 21 games with the IceCaps.
Andrighetto has played 17 games in Montreal this season, scoring four goals with one assist. The 22-year-old sniped seven goals and nine assists in 18 games with the IceCaps earlier this season.
In 24 games with St. John’s this season, de la Rose registered two goals and seven assists.
Scratches: Eric Neilson, Brandon McNally, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed) Injured reserve: Ryan Johnston (back surgery)
Game Report
After 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.
Scratches: Eric Neilson, Stefan Fournier, Brandon McNally, Tim Bozon (undisclosed), Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed) Injured reserve: Ryan Johnston (back surgery)
Game Report
After a complete breakdown the previous night, losing 5-1 to the Portland Pirates, the St. John’s IceCaps took to the Mile One Centre ice on Saturday looking to bounce back quickly. But it seemed that they were stuck in the same sluggish cycle from the night before, despite a massive amount of line-juggling done by the coach.
Sylvain Lefebvre moved Michael McCarron back to the first line, where he also placed newcomer Max Friberg on right wing. Jacob de la Rose found himself promoted to the second line, which bumped Markus Eisenschmid up to the third line. Charles Hudon was shifted to Eisenschmid’s left wing after centering the first line for the last couple of weeks.
The Pirates came out buzzing in the first period, scoring their first goal just three minutes into the game. Five minutes later they earned a shorthanded goal, quickly followed by a power play goal. Eddie Pasquale was immediately pulled from the game after giving up three goals on just seven shots.
Zach Fucale gave a strong performance in relief despite giving up a goal shortly into the second period. The IceCaps attempted some physicality to muster a spark with their teammates with Dalton Thrower, Gabriel Dumont, and Jeremy Gregoire all dropping the gloves, but to no avail. Dumont did, however, connect with Eisenschmid and de la Rose late in the third period to get St. John’s on the board.
The IceCaps return to home ice on Tuesday night when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town for a back-to-back series.
▲ Zach Fucale
▼ Joel Hanley, Charles Hudon, Dalton Thrower, Eddie Pasquale
Statistics
ICECAPS
PIRATES
41
Shots
31
1 for 5
Power Play
1 for 4
32
Penalty Minutes
34
Scoring
FINAL
1
2
3
OT
SO
T
IceCaps (16-11-5-3)
0
0
1
–
–
1
Pirates (20-13-1-0)
3
1
0
–
–
4
Scorers
Goalies
STJ: Dumont (9)
POR: Wilson (5), McFarland (12), Grimaldi (6), Megan (4)
Scratches: Eric Neilson, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed) Injured reserve: Ryan Johnston (back surgery)
Game Report
As the road trip continued for the St. John’s IceCaps, they found themselves taking the ice in another NHL rink – this time in Buffalo at the First Niagara Center. The Rochester Americans got things started with a lot of energy, especially after the IceCaps gave them a few early power play opportunities.
The Americans converted one of those man advantages in the first period and went into the intermission with a one-goal lead.
The second period kicked off with a quick goal by Gabriel Dumont just 21 seconds in, but Rochester got it right back just over a minute later. Jacob de la Rose and Lucas Lessio were some of the strongest players on the puck tonight, checking well and skating hard. Dustin Tokarski was shaky at times, but settled in as the game wore on. Late in the period, Charles Hudon found the back of the net on a power play to even the score at 2-2.
St. John’s came out in the third looking a little slow and disorganized, but neither team could get a puck past the opposing goaltender. The overtime period was fast and frenzied, with Tokarski making some key saves to keep the IceCaps in it. However once the shootout came around, Tokarski was unable to stop any of the three Amerks shooters.
Mike McCarron left the game early in the third period after taking an apparent stick to the face and did not return to the bench. The IceCaps return to the ice on Thursday night when they take on the Senators in Binghamton, NY.
Scratches: Eric Neilson, Mark Barberio, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed) Injured reserve: Ryan Johnston (back surgery)
Game Report
The IceCaps got right back to work this afternoon with another matinee matchup against the Toronto Marlies. After spending the first few minutes of the game with both teams testing each other out, action started to pick up when the IceCaps drew the game’s first power play. Pasquale’s best save of the period came with just under 7 minutes left in the period as Viktor Loov curled around in the zone, found some empty space and wired a shot but Pasquale flashed the leather. Just over a minute and a half later, Zach Hyman opened the scoring for the Marlies as he tapped in a loose puck at the goal mouth. As the period wound down, Bournival scored a power play goal to tie the game, his first of the season, with assists from Gabriel Dumont and Darren Dietz.
The IceCaps started the second period by killing off the remainder of a Mac Bennett penalty he took at the end of the first period. After the Marlies went up by a goal once again, the IceCaps really started to pick up the physical play.
With 12 minutes left in the second period, the IceCaps only had 2 shots on goal and the Marlies had made it 3-1 on a goal from Justin Holl off the ensuing faceoff. Under a minute later, Charles Hudon fed Bud Holloway who sent a beautiful saucer pass over to Joel Hanley who pushed the puck past Ray Emery.
Early in the final frame, Bud Holloway tied things up at 3-3. The IceCaps came out this period far more engaged, looking like the momentum they had at the end of the previous period had carried over. Jacob de la Rose potted his second goal of the season to give the IceCaps their first lead of the game.
The Marlies applied pressure throughout the third, looking to even things up on the scoreboard but Eddie Pasquale and the St. John’s defense were clicking. After a Toronto timeout with just under two minutes remaining, the Marlies tied things up off a point shot from Rinat Valiev. The IceCaps didn’t give up and 50 seconds later Gabriel Dumont managed to squeak a shot through Emery to make it 5-4 for the visiting team and seal the comeback victory.
Earlier in the day Tim Bozon, Angelo Miceli, and Dalton Thrower were sent down to the Brampton Beast. During the game, the news came out that Mark Barberio had been recalled to the Montreal Canadiens. The IceCaps continue their road trip on Wednesday night with a game against the Rochester Amerks to be played in Buffalo’s First Niagara Center.
▲ Jacob de la Rose, Lucas Lessio, Gabriel Dumont, Bud Holloway, Michael Bournival, Michael McCarron
▼
Statistics
ICECAPS
MARLIES
31
Shots
26
1 for 2
Power Play
0 for 3
6
Penalty Minutes
4
Scoring
FINAL
1
2
3
OT
SO
T
IceCaps (15-8-5-2)
1
1
3
–
–
5
Marlies (24-6-2-0)
1
2
1
–
–
4
Scorers
Goalies
STJ: Bournival (1), Hanley (3), Holloway (8), De La Rose (2), Dumont (7)
TOR: Hyman (6), Leipsic (8), Holl (2), Valiev (3)
STJ: Pasquale (W) 5-1-2
TOR: Emery (L) 2-2-1
AHL Three Stars
Gabriel Dumont STJ
Brendan Leipsic TOR
Bud Holloway STJ
Video highlights
Post-game interview
Coach Sylvain Lefebvre
“(Need to improve) the execution, reads, the better choice of plays. Sometimes tonight we forced plays a little too much.”
“We skated yesterday. You know the first period I thought we came out pretty good, then the second period we seemed to be flat.”
Post-game interview with Sylvain Lefebvre
Audio from interviews conducted by Chris Hatzitolios for IceCaps Hockey Report | Rocket Sports Media.
Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Eric Neilson, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Injured reserve: Ryan Johnston (back surgery)
Game Report
After a disappointing loss to the Rochester Americans last night, the IceCaps looked to right the ship when they faced the Amerks again tonight. Shots on goal were kept on more of an even keel this night, until the third period when the IceCaps seemed to run out of gas.
The opening frame was played quietly in terms of offense, but the penalty box was active during the first 20 minutes yet again. Mark Barberio, Angelo Miceli, and Brett Lernout all found themselves serving minors.
Captain Gabriel Dumont got the home team on the board first, assisted by Jeremy Gregoire and Jacob de la Rose. That’s points in two consecutive games for JDLR after returning from injury. The Amerks and IceCaps then traded a couple of goals, with Stefan Fournier scoring for St. John’s.
The third period was all Rochester. The IceCaps were pinned in their own zone for minutes at a time, eventually resulting in a game-tying goal by Tim Schaller which would end up forcing overtime. The top line of Miceli, Mike McCarron, and Bud Holloway started the 3-on-3 OT, but Jason Akeson sniped the puck past Pasquale just over a minute into the extra minutes.
The IceCaps return to the ice on Tuesday night when the Albany Devils come to St. John’s for a back-to-back series.
▲ Jacob de la Rose, Brett Lernout, Eddie Pasquale, Stefan Fournier
Scratches: Dalton Thrower, Eric Neilson, Connor Crisp (undisclosed), Nikita Scherbak (undisclosed), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed) Injured reserve: Ryan Johnston (back surgery)
Game Report
The IceCaps returned home to St. John’s this week and welcomed the Rochester Americans tonight for the first of a back-to-back. The IceCaps came out shooting, showing a lot of energy and tallying 22 shots on goal in the first period. Jacob de la Rose, returning from a lengthy absence due to injury in early November, made his mark early on as he put the home team on the board late in the first. It was his first goal for St. John’s this season.
Penalties, however, also played their part in this game. Michael McCarron took consecutive minors for cross-checking and roughing in the first period, while Josiah Didier sat for five minutes after enduring a fight with Patrick Kaleta. The Amerks power play unit finally converted one of their man advantage opportunities and tied the game in the second period.
Shots were kept to a minimum and the game was played pretty tightly through the third period, but then Jerry D’Amigo saw an opening when Gabriel Dumont and Mark Barberio got caught deep with Darren Dietz trying to make a play behind the net. D’Amigo shot one past Zach Fucale and moments later Rochester potted an empty-netter.
Despite the mistake late in the third, Dumont had seven shots on goal for the night, while Morgan Ellis tallied five shots. Michael Bournival played his first game of the season, taking the left wing position on the top line.
The IceCaps meet up with the Rochester Americans again tomorrow night at Mile One Centre for the second of their back-to-back series.
Jacob De la Rose (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
ALLENTOWN, PA. — The Montreal Canadiens AHL affiliate, the St. John’s IceCaps are currently on a six-game road trip through Pennsylvania. The IceCaps split their two-game series with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and dropped a game on the weekend to the Hershey Bears. You can read full reports for each game here.
The IceCaps Hockey Report | All Habs Hockey Magazine team was onsite in Wilkes-Barre as the IceCaps practiced ahead of their games on Wednesday and Friday against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Following practice, IceCaps forward Jacob De la Rose kindly spent a few minutes with our video producer, Amy Johnson.
WHITEHALL, PA. — A hockey practice is not only a learning experience for the players on the ice but also instructive for those who follow the team. The IceCaps Hockey Report team caught up with the IceCaps as they were put through their paces during the road trip in Pennsylvania.
The Rink at Lehigh Valley (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
The players were wide-eyed as they entered the well-worn old barn. Jacob De la Rose said that it reminded him of the rink where he played his minor hockey. But as they walked along the boards to the dressing room many commented that the ice looked good. “I can smell good ice,” said Eric Neilson.
The Rink at Lehigh Valley (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
“When we pulled in, everyone was like ‘Woah, what is this?’,” said Mike McCarron, “But the ice was good. It was a good practice. Guys were moving their feet good.”
McCarron was the first to take the ice at the arena known as “The Rink at Lehigh Valley.”
The IceCaps began practice will a typical line-rush drill but with a twist. They didn’t use pucks. The invisible puck drill was a trademark of former Canadiens forward Jimmy Roberts back in his coaching days primarily with the St. Louis Blues organization. According to IceCaps team broadcaster Brian Rogers, it was the coaching staff’s tribute to Roberts, who passed away on October 23rd of this year.
IceCaps assistant coach Donald Dufresne played for Roberts when Jimmy was the coach and general manager in the mid-90’s of the Worcester IceCats (Blues AHL affiliate.) Canadiens assistant coach J.J. Daigneault was also a member of that roster.
Dustin Tokarski (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
Passing without a puck was, for the most part, tape-to-tape. The line rushes by the forwards were creative and the phantom shots were of the booming variety. But it was the goaltending where imaginations flourished with spectacular glove saves and the occasional double-pad stack.
“The guys, I think they missed their shots,” said Zach Fucale, “That was a little bit of a fun time to start the practice. It got everyone fired up.”
The 3-on-3 drill was especially intense with some solid contact. It was a spirited, high-energy practice with players being encouraged to be very vocal to communicate with teammates. This is a talented, strong skating team with good camaraderie.
“Sorry Tick” drowned out the rest of the ice noise as a restrained shot from defenceman Brett Lernout got up a little high on Dustin Tokarski. The body language of the former Canadiens backup and his lack of crispness in a shoot-in drill hinted that Tokarski is not necessarily enthusiastic about his new assignment. (Tokarski was recalled by the Canadiens on Sunday in light of an injury to Carey Price.)
With the net empty, Lernout practised one-timers in rapid-fire succession displaying a potent shot and remarkable accuracy. After several minutes, he celebrated loudly his several dozen goals.
(Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)
The head coach showed that he still has a little velocity to his shot as a blast from the stick of Sylvain Lefebvre went part way through the twine remaining caught up in the netting for all to see.
McCarron was second-to-last off the ice as the session ended just over an hour after it began.
Check out our gallery of photos from IceCaps practice.