With the struggling Binghamton Senators in town, as well as bolstering their best lineup of the season, the St. John’s IceCaps had to like their chances coming into Tuesday night’s game.
🔵⚪️❤️ Our #ValentinesDay @MaryBrowns lineups against the @SenatorsAHL look a lot like this!#GoIceCapsGo pic.twitter.com/Mjxv1row0B
— St. John’s IceCaps (@IceCapsAHL) February 14, 2017
But it was far from an ideal start for the home team.
Less than 10 minutes into the first period, the IceCaps found themselves down 2-0, courtesy of goals from Max McCormick and Jack Rodewald. St. John’s, on the other hand, only produced three shots towards the Binghamton goal.
However, the IceCaps looked like a different team during the second period, firing 15 shots at Senators goalie, Chris Driedger. Dreidger was outstanding on the night. To say he kept his team in it would be an understatement.
Michael McCarron looked to spark the team with a huge open-ice hit, and the IceCaps threw all they could at the 22-year-old goaltender, but they were unable to beat him through two periods.
Michael McCarron lowers the boom! pic.twitter.com/m0eeT5dsQT
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) February 15, 2017
Six minutes into the third period, the IceCaps got their breakthrough.
Captain Max Friberg made a strong play coming down the wing before setting up Ryan Johnston in the high-slot. The defenceman beat Dreidger over the shoulder, to cut the lead to 2-1.
What an effort by Max Friberg to set up Ryan Johnston’s goal for the @IceCapsAHL! pic.twitter.com/29efYOHH62
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) February 15, 2017
As the period went on, it looked as though that was the only time Dreidger would allow the goal horn to sound. St. John’s fired an astonishing 26 shots his way in the final 20 minutes, but Dreidger was up for the challenge.
With just over three minutes remaining, Seantors defenceman, Ben Harpur, took a delay of game penalty. With six skaters on the ice, and just over a minute remaining on the clock, the IceCaps found their equalizer. Chris Terry buried his 17th of the season, off a pass from Nikita Scherbak, to send the game to overtime.
CHRIS TERRY WITH THE TYING GOAL FOR THE @IceCapsAHL! pic.twitter.com/DZxBDCbqWj
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) February 15, 2017
In the extra frame, Senators forward, Casey Bailey, had his one-timer saved by IceCaps goaltender, Charlie Lindgren, but the rebound shot up about 12 feet in the air, before hitting the back of Lindgren and bouncing into the net.
Poor Lindgren, makes the save but the puck goes into the air, and back in behind him for the OT winner pic.twitter.com/m23nGP98QU
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) February 15, 2017
It’s a tough way to lose, but it was just one of those nights at Mile One.
Goaltenders:
BNG: Chris Dreidger (W) 45/47
STJ: Charlie Lindgren (OTL) 17/20
Three Stars:
- Chris Dreidger | BNG
- Chris Terry | STJ
- Casey Bailey | BNG
Full Highlights:
Notes:
- The IceCaps are back in action against the Senators tonight, before hosting the Syracuse Crunch in another key divisional series this Saturday and Sunday.
- Charles Hudon now has a four game point streak, collecting six points in that time.
- Due to severe snowfall in St. John’s, Tuesday’s game was watched by an unofficial franchise low of about 700 people./
