ICECAPS
St. John’s

5-1

CRUNCH
Syracuse

Lineup

Forward lines and defense pairings: 

[one_half]McNally – Scherbak – Holloway
Hudon – Dumont – Friberg
Bozon – MacMillan – Ranger
Scott – Gregoire – Bakker [/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dietz – Lernout
Hanley – Johnston
Brown – Didier[/one_half_last]

Goaltenders:

Pasquale
Fucale

Scratches: Angelo Miceli, Mac Bennett, Dalton Thrower, Michael Bournival (concussion), Markus Eisenschmid (undisclosed)
Injured Reserve: Connor Crisp (undisclosed)

Game Report

They needed a win in a big way. So they won in a big way. Tonight’s final game of the road trip started much like the others before it: the Crunch scored first in the opening frame and the IceCaps found themselves down on the scoreboard.

But with about two minutes remaining in the first period, Joel Hanley potted his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Charles Hudon and Gabriel Dumont.  Then to open the second period, newcomer Travis Brown netted his first of the season with the help of Bud Holloway and Nikita Scherbak.  Taking the lead seemed to give the IceCaps a much-needed jolt of energy and they took the rest of the game handily.

Alexandre Ranger also scored his first of the season before Hudon found mesh on the power play in the third period.  Dumont wrapped things up with an empty-netter late in the third.

So what were the keys to winning tonight, especially with key players like Mike McCarron, Morgan Ellis, Jacob de la Rose, and Sven Andrighetto all called up to Montreal?  Shots on goal and discipline.  The team has recently struggled with their shot count, but tonight dominated in this category 45-30.  They also stayed out of the penalty box, only giving up one power play to the Crunch in the final seconds of the game.

The Icecaps now head back to Newfoundland for some rest and practice before taking home ice at Mile One on Friday night when the Albany Devils come to St. John’s.

▲     Bud Holloway, Eddie Pasquale, Joel Hanley, Charles Hudon, Gabriel Dumont

▼

1. Joel Hanley  STJ
2. Charles Hudon  STJ
3. Bud Holloway  STJ

Quotes courtesy of IceCaps Hockey Report

Players are stepping up for the #IceCaps – D-man Hanley with his 4th goal this year, and Brown/Ranger with their 1st tallies. @IceCapsReport

— Amy Johnson (@FlyersRule) February 28, 2016

First #NHL point for McCarron in his third game. #GoHabsGo #allhabs @MacAttackUSA93

— All Habs (@AllHabs) February 28, 2016

Looks like @smithpelly23 robs @MacAttackUSA93 of his 1st NHL goal, to be EXTRA safe on this play #GoHabsGo @AllHabs pic.twitter.com/LjNSDCFshg

— Taylor Olivia (@TaylorOliviaMc) February 28, 2016

Follow @IceCapsReport on Twitter