IceCaps Weekly Forecast gives a first look of the week ahead for your St. John’s IceCaps. Staff writer Danielle Barnes maps out the schedule, provides a statistical comparison of each matchup, identifies players to watch, as well as goaltenders and notes for each team. Refer to this page as your guide for each game in the IceCaps schedule this week.
ST JOHN’S, NL. — This week, the St. John’s IceCaps will face the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Hershey Bears. The team will first face the Phantoms for a pair on the 21st and 22nd, before facing the Bears on the 25th and 26th.
Calendar: March 20 – 26
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St. John’s IceCaps
Following four consecutive wins last week, the IceCaps move up one spot in the North division ranking at fourth. While things have been looking up for the IceCaps this month, the Phantoms and the Bears have proved to be tough competitors in previous games, which may end their winning streak following this weeks matchup.
Players to Watch
Josiah Didier – Defenceman Josiah Didier has played 27 games with the IceCaps this season. His efforts in the IceCaps game against Rochester on the 18th earned him the second star of the game.
Jeremy Gregoire – Gregoire has played 50 games with the IceCaps this season, accumulating a total of 10 points.
Notes
Goaltenders
Goalie Charlie Lindgren had his fourth shutout of the season against the Rochester Americans on the 18th.
Lindgren 21-16-5 | 2.57 GAA | .914 Sv%
Danis 10-6-3 | 2.94 GAA | .905 Sv%
Tuesday and Wednesday March 21st, 22nd
Lehigh Valley Phantoms
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (40-19-4-0) rank at second in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the league overall. The ‘Caps and the Phantoms first faced each other in February resulting in one win for each team. The Phantoms excel in their road games, which may work in their favour this week in attempts to defeat the ‘Caps.
Players to Watch
Greg Carey – Carey is the second overall leader in the league for goals with 26 goals in 62 games played.
T.J. Brennan – Brennan is the second defenseman leader in the league with 51 points in 62 games played
Notes
Goaltenders
According to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Twitter, they are one of the only three teams that have 40 plus wins so far this season.
The Hershey Bears (36-18-8-3) rank at third in the Atlantic division and seventh in the league overall. The two teams first met back in February, resulting in two wins for the Bears. The Bears are ahead of the IceCaps in both the special teams power-play and penalty kill, which may give them an edge this week despite the ‘Caps home team advantage
Players to Watch
Chris Bourque – Bourque is second in the league for shots with 191 made so far this season.
Tyler Lewington – Lewington is first in the league for penalty minutes with 132 minutes in 60 games played.
Notes
Goaltenders
According to the Hershey Bears on Twitter, rookie Hampus Gustafsson played his first game with the Hershey Bears on March 18th.
