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. — After a week long break, the St. John’s IceCaps hit the road to face the Toronto Marlies, Utica Comets and the Syracuse Crunch. The IceCaps first head to Ontario to face the Marlies on the 26th and the Comets on the 28th and 30th, before heading to New York on New Years Eve to face the Crunch.
Calendar: December 26 – January 1
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St. John’s IceCaps
Following one win and two overtime losses in their last three games, the St. John’s IceCaps are in third place in the North division, just ahead of their rivals the Toronto Marlies. The IceCaps are second in the league for their power-play success rate on the road, and first in the league for their road penalty-killing record. The effectiveness of IceCaps special teams may give them an edge on this week’s games.
Players to Watch
Sven Andrighetto – The 5-foot-10-inch forward is maintaining a point-a-game pace with 22 points in 19 games with the IceCaps this season.
Brett Lernout – The native of Winnipeg combines an ability to move the puck with strong physical presence. Lernout has nine assists this season.
Notes
Goaltenders
Sven Andrighetto and Joel Hanley were assigned to the IceCaps on December 23rd. Michael McCarron, Chris Terry and Mark Barberio remain with the Canadiens.
Lindgren 10-7-0 | 2.60 GAA | .921 Sv%
Danis 4-2-0 | 3.17 GAA | .901 Sv%
Monday December 26th
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies (13-12-1-1) and the IceCaps have been pretty consistent when facing each other this season, resulting in two wins for the Marlies and two wins for the IceCaps in four games played. The Marlies rank at fourth in the North division following close behind the Albany Devils, and hold the second spot for the special teams power-play.
Players to Watch
Kasperi Kapanen – Kapanen is the third overall leader in the league for goals with 13 in 25 games played.
Andrew Nielsen – Nielsen is the rookie leader in the league for power-play assists, and the second rookie leader for power-play points.
Notes
Goaltenders
Goaltender Antoine Bibeau was recalled by the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 20th. Jhonas Enroth has been loaned to the Marlies.
Following three previous losses to the IceCaps this season, the Utica Comets (10-14-3-1) will meet the ‘Caps for a pair this week. The Utica Comets rank fifth in the north division behind the Toronto Marlies, and hold the third spot in the special teams power-play.
Players to Watch
Joseph LaBate – LaBate holds the fifth spot in the league for major penalties with four this season.
Curtis Valk – Valk is one of the leaders on the team with 16 points in 27 games played.
Notes
Goaltenders
Coming into the December 28th game with the IceCaps, the Comets are winless in their past six.
The Syracuse Crunch (16-8-0-3) are the leading team in the north division and rank fourth overall in the league. The two teams first met for a pair back in November, resulting in a win for the Crunch, following a shootout win for the IceCaps the next night.
Players to Watch
Mike Halmo – Halmo has scored four winning goals so far this season.
Matt Taormina – Taormina is the third defenseman leader in the league for points with 24 in 22 games played.
Notes
Goaltenders
Tampa Bay Lightning recalled forward Michael Bournival from the Crunch on December 22nd. Bournival is a former Canadiens prospect playing with the IceCaps in 2015-16.