IceCaps Weekly Forecast | Tough Test for Caps vs Penguins, Phantoms

Danielle Barnes

February 7, 2017

IceCaps Weekly Forecast | Tough Test for Caps vs Penguins, Phantoms — (Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)

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.

by Danielle Barnes, Staff Writer, AHL Report

(Photo by Rick Stephens | Rocket Sports Media)

ST JOHN’S, NL. — This week, St. John’s IceCaps continue their road trip facing the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The IceCaps will first travel to Pennsylvania to face the Penguins on the 8^th, before continuing to Lehigh Valley to face the Phantoms for a pair on the 10^th and 11^th.

Calendar: February 6 – February 12
MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN

		AWAY		AWAY	AWAY

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St. John’s IceCaps
January proved to be a hard month for the IceCaps, as the team only won three games in total. However, the team remains at third in the North division and move down three spots in the league taking 19^th place. February may be looking better for the IceCaps as they won their first game this month against the Penguins, who they will face later this week as well.
Players to Watch
Josiah Didier – Dider scored his first AHL goal with the IceCaps on Sunday against the Hershey Bears. He has played 24 games with the IceCaps so far, making 4 points in total. Daniel Carr – Carr was returned to the IceCaps from Montreal recently, he has eight points in 6 games played.
Notes	Goaltenders
IceCaps Forward John McCarron was released from his PTO contract.	Lindgren 15-12-3 \| 2.80 GAA \| .910 Sv% Danis 6-5-3 \| 2.98 GAA \| .904 Sv%

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Wednesday February 8th

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Following a loss to the ‘Caps last week, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (34-10-3-0) will be looking for redemption in their second game against the IceCaps this month. The Penguins remain at first in the Atlantic division, as well as first in the league overall.

Players to Watch

Josh Archibald – Archibald is second in the league for plus-minus with plus-24.
Tom Sestito – Sestito is fourth in the league for shooting percentage at 26.1.

Notes

Goaltenders

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton always proves to be a tough test for the IceCaps as the Penguins hold a 17-5-1-0 advantage all-time against St.John’s.

Jarry 20-8-1 | 2.24 GAA | .920 Sv%
DeSmith 13-2-2 | 2.26 GAA | .913 Sv%

Matchup

February 8 | Wilkes-Barre, PA.

PENGUINS	(stats as of Feb. 6, 2016)	ICECAPS
71 (1st)	Points (Div. Rank)	48 (3rd)
34-10-3-0	Record	21-20-5-1
18-5-0-0 (home)	Home/Away Record	11-10-3-1 (away)
.755	Winning Percentage	.511
166	Goals For	129
111	Goals Against	145
17.2%	Power-play	19.2%
86.9%	Penalty-kill	77.4%

Season Series – Recap

December 3, 2016 | WBS v STJ |Penguins – IceCaps: Penguins Power Play Buries ‘Caps
December 4, 2016 | WBS v STJ |Penguins- IceCaps: Danis With 50 Saves in OT Win
February 3, 2016 | STJ v WBS |IceCaps – Penguins: Carr, McCarron Help ‘Caps Start Strong
February 8, 2016 | STJ v WBS |

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Friday, Saturday February 10th, 11th

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (30-13-2-0) hold the second spot in the Atlantic Division, as well as the second spot in the league overall. This is the first time the two teams will meet this season, and the Phantoms will have an edge on the IceCaps as they are ahead of them in both the special teams penalty kill and power-play.