The St. John’s IceCaps are back in action on Tuesday and Wednesday night, when they play host to the Utica Comets at Mile One Centre. They’re coming off a successful weekend, in which they took three of a possible four points from the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Utica comes to St. John’s on a three game win streak. They currently occupy fourth place in the North Division, one spot back of St. John’s. The teams have met five times already this season. The IceCaps have had the upper hand on Vancouver’s farm team, beating them on all five occasions.
Players to Watch:
Alexandre Grenier leads the Comets in scoring. The 25 year old winger has 31 points in 35 games. But it’s another duo of players that will likely draw the most attention from the crowd in St. John’s.
Former first-round pick, and team Canada world junior alumnus, Jake Virtanen, has been with the Comets for most of the season after having a tough time adjusting to the NHL. Virtanen has just 7 points in 26 games with Utica.
The Subban name always draws attention, and that’s justified when watching Jordan. The defenceman was recently selected to the All-Star Game. He leads the Utica blue line with 21 points in 32 games.
The IceCaps will be thrilled to see leading scorer Chris Terry return to the lineup after a stint in Montreal. Terry collected 26 points in just 20 games before being recalled by the Canadiens.
Also rejoining the team is Michael McCarron. The 6’6 centreman will likely slot in on the top line, in place of the recently recalled Jacob de la Rose. McCarron joins his brother, John, who is with the IceCaps on a professional tryout (PTO).
Anthony Camara, another IceCap on a PTO, has 2 goals and 1 assist in 3 games with St. John’s.
Records:
STJ: 19-14-5, 43 PTS. 3rd in North Division
UTI: 15-16-6, 36 PTS. 4th in North Division
Top Scorers:
STJ: Chris Terry 26 PTS, Nikita Scherbak 20 PTS, Daniel Audette, 19 PTS
UTI: Alexandre Grenier 31 PTS, Curtis Valk 26 PTS, Darren Archibald 25 PTS
Goaltenders:
STJ- Charlie Lindgren: 13-9-3, 2.67 GAA .915 SV%
UTI- Thatcher Demko: 9-8-3, 2.84 GAA .901 SV%
