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 play four road games against the Toronto Marlies, Albany Devils, Binghamton Senators and the Utica Comets. The ‘Caps will start their busy week in Toronto to face the Marlies on the 4th, following three games in New York against the Devils on the 7th, the Senators on the 8th and the Comets on the 9th.
Calendar: April 3 – 9
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St. John’s IceCaps
The IceCaps rank at third in the North division and 18th in the league overall. The ‘Caps hard work paid off in the month of March, as they were able to move up two spots in the North division following their seven wins. The team also continues to thrive while on the road, coming up first in the North division for away games.
Players to Watch
Joel Hanley – Hanley has played 62 games with the IceCaps, collecting a total of 21 points.
David Broll – Broll has the most penalty minutes on the team, with an average of 2.26 minutes per game and 113 minutes overall.
The Toronto Marlies (39-26-4-1) rank at first in the North Division and 12th in the league overall. The Marlies have remained strong all season, and held an undefeated streak from March 21st to April 1st. The Marlies are also first in the division for the special teams power-play, with 23.1 per cent.
Players to Watch
Brett Findlay – Findlay is the third overall leader in the league for shootout percentage with 26.3.
Andrew Nielson – Nielson is the second rookie leader in the league for minor penalties, and the fourth rookie leader for power-play assists.
Notes
Goaltenders
According to the Toronto Marlies on Twitter, Cal O’Reilly made his 40th assist of the season on March 31st.
The Albany Devils (35-30-2-3) rank at fourth in the North Division and 19th in the league overall. Despite the Devils seven game losing streak from March 17th to the 31st, they have been successful when facing the IceCaps this season, resulting in five wins for the Devils and two wins for the ‘Caps.
Players to Watch
Kevin Rooney – Rooney is the third rookie leader in the league for shorthanded points.
Brian Gibbons – Gibbons has played 66 games with the Devils, accumulating a total of 31 points.
Notes
Goaltenders
According to the Albany Devils on Twitter, Rod Pelley was named the teams AHL Man Of The Year.
The Binghamton Senators (26-40-2-2) rank at seventh in the North Division and 29th in the league overall. The Senators have remained at the bottom of the division for majority of the season, while managing to defeat the ‘Caps in five out of seven games.
Players to Watch
Phil Varone – Varone leads the team with 49 points in 59 games played.
Max McCormick – McCormick has the most penalty minutes on the team with 101 minutes.
Notes
Goaltenders
According to the Binghamton Senators on Twitter, Ben Harpur was recalled to Ottawa on April 2nd.
The Utica Comets (33-28-7-2) rank at fifth in the North Division and 20th in the league overall. The Comets have come up short in most of their games against the IceCaps this season, only winning two out of seven games. However, the Comets have the home team advantage this week, which may work to their favour.
Players to Watch
David Shields – Shields is the second defenceman leader in the league for shorthanded points.
Andrey Pedan – Pedan is the third defenceman leader in the league for minor penalties, with 35 penalties this season.
Notes
Goaltenders
According to the Utica Comets on Twitter, the team loaned Marco Roy to the Alaska Aces on March 31st.
