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. —The road trip continues for the St. John’s IceCaps as they head to New York to play three games against the Albany Devils, the Binghamton Senators and the Syracuse Crunch. The IceCaps first face the Devils on the fourth and the Senators on sixth, following a game against the Crunch on seventh.
Calendar: January 2 – 8
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St. John’s IceCaps
Following three wins and one loss last week, the IceCaps hold their spot at third in the North Division following close behind the Albany Devils. The IceCaps continue to remain strong on the power play, and hold a spot in the top five in the league for penalty minutes.
Mark MacMillan – MacMillan anchors the IceCaps fourth line in this his second season playing for St. John’s. In 28 games, MacMillan has two goals, four assist for six points.
Goaltender Bryan Pitton and forward Mathieu Gagnon have been returned to the Brampton Beast.
Lindgren 13-8-1 | 2.62 GAA | .918 Sv%
Danis 4-2-2 | 3.17 GAA | .901 Sv%
Wednesday January 4th
Albany Devils
The Albany Devils (19-13-0-1) follow close behind the Crunch, ranking at second in the North Division. The Devils have defeated the IceCaps in both previous games played this season, and may have an edge on the IceCaps as they are ahead of them in the special team’s penalty kill.
Players to Watch
Ben Thomson – Thomson holds the third spot in the league for major penalties, with six so far this season.
Joe Blandisi – A center for the Devils, Blandisi is the teams second leader with 20 points in 24 games played.
Notes
Goaltenders
Stefan Matteau returns to Albany where he played 129 games for the Devils. Matteau was traded for Devante Smith-Pelly on February 29, 2016.
The Binghamton Senators (13-17-2-1) rank at sixth in the North Division, and also hold the seventh spot for both the power-play and the penalty kill. The Senators have met the IceCaps in two previous games this season, resulting in one win for the Senators and one win for the IceCaps.
Players to Watch
Jake Rodewald – Rookie Jake Rodewald is fifth in the league for shooting percentage with 25.7%.
Phil Varone – Varone Leads the team with 19 points in 27 games played.
Notes
Goaltenders
Goaltender Chris Drieger had a three-game winning streak to end 2016 stopping 106 of 111 shots he has faced.
The Syracuse Crunch (18-9-0-4) face the IceCaps again this week, following a win against the ‘Caps on New Years Eve. The Crunch continue to hold the top spot in the North Division, and remain in the top five in the league.
Players to Watch
Jake Dotchin – Dotchin is the third defenseman leader in the league for penalty minutes, with a total of 67 minutes in 29 games played. He is also the third defenseman leader for shorthanded points
Erik Condra – A right-winger for the Crunch, Condra is one of the top players on the team with six goals and 16 assists so far this season.
Notes
Goaltenders
The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled Adam Erne this week.
Crunch Head Coach Benoit Groulx was named North Division coach for the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic.
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