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 play four home games facing the Utica Comets and the Toronto Marlies. November is the busiest month of the season for the IceCaps as they will play 14 games.
Calendar: October 31 – November 6
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
HOME
HOME
HOME
HOME
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St. John’s IceCaps
Last week, the IceCaps beat the Rochester Americans in their home opener on Friday, before a 5-2 loss to the Amerks the next night. The IceCaps now rank fifth in the North Division with a total of three wins and four losses, just behind the Rochester Americans.
Players to Watch
Chris Terry – Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, the IceCaps left winger ranks sixth in the league with nine points in eight games played.
Daniel Carr – Several sources report that Carr is in St. John’s for a conditioning stint. He was in the lineup on the first line for Saturday’s game. He is expected to play all four games in St. John’s this week before returning to the Canadiens.
Key Injuries
Goaltenders
The IceCaps are missing two key pieces of their penalty-killers: Max Friberg and Jacob De La Rose. Special teams were a problem in the weekend series against Rochester.
Lindgren 3-0-0 | 2.00 GAA | .946 Sv%
Danis 0-1-1 | 4.47 GAA | .862 Sv%
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Tuesday and Wednesday
Utica Comets
The Utica Comets (2-5-0-0) travel to St. John’s to face the IceCaps early this week as the two teams meet each other for the first time this season. The Comets most recent win against the Hartford Wolf Pack on October 29th, ranks them seventh in the North Division.
Players to Watch
Michael Chaput – With nine points this season, Chaput has held a points streak since October 15th.
Jordan Subban – Younger brother of P.K. Subban, Jordan has four goals and three assists this season.
Notes
Goaltenders
Comets assistant coach Jason King returns to St. John’s where he spent three seasons as Director of Hockey Operations with the IceCaps.
Bachman 2-2-0 | 3.52 GAA | .880 Sv%
Demko 0-3-0 | 3.72 GAA | .867 Sv%
Matchup
November 1 and November 2 | St. John’s, NL.
ICECAPS
(stats as of Oct. 31, 2016)
COMETS
7 (5th)
Points (Div. Rank)
4 (7th)
3-4-1-0
Record
2-5-0-0
1-1-0-0 (home)
Home/Away Record
2-3-0-0 (away)
.438
Winning Percentage
.286
26
Goals For
18
29
Goals Against
26
27.3%
Power-play
23.3%
85.7%
Penalty-kill
63.2%
Season Series
November 1, 2016 | UTI STJ |
November 2, 2016 | UTI STJ |
December 16, 2016 | STJ UTI |
December 28, 2016 | STJ UTI |
December 30, 2016 | STJ UTI |
January 17, 2017 | UTI STJ |
January 18, 2017 | UTI STJ |
April 9, 2017 | STJ UTI |
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Saturday and Sunday
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies come into the week riding a 4-0-0-1 streak and occupying the top spot in the North Division. The Marlies and IceCaps last met in the pre-season for a three game series competing for the Colemans Cup.
Players to Watch
Brendan Leipsic – With 13 points this season on three goals and ten assists, the Marlies left-winger leads the AHL.
Kasperi Kapanen – The 20-year-old Kapanen was named AHL player of the week on October 17th.
Notes
Goaltenders
When the Marlies and IceCaps renew their bitter rivalry this weekend, they will be playing the first two of 12 meetings this season.