The St. John’s IceCaps said good-bye to February with another tough road trip. Carrying two losses into this last week’s schedule, the IceCaps doubled their losing streak to four after their meetings with the Albany Devils, and Utica Comets.
They did, however, manage to wrap up the trip with a dominant 5-1 win over the Syracuse Crunch, making it their fourth win in a row versus their North Division rival.
Heading back home for an important six-game home stand, the IceCaps will not only desperately need some wins to keep their playoff hopes alive, they’ll have to earn them without their two AHL All-Stars: Morgan Ellis and Michael McCarron. Both players were called up to the Montreal Canadiens right after the road trip.
Albany Devils — March 4th and 5th
Last time they met: February 24th (4-3 Loss)
As has been the trend this season, the day before facing the Devils back in February, the IceCaps lost yet another teammate to the Canadiens. That time, it was defenceman Victor Bartley who earned his first call-up.
St. John’s rallied in the third period, trying to dig themselves out of a 3-0 deficit. Just one minute into the final frame, Charles Hudon, back from missing one game due to a lower-body injury, got his team on the board.
It was Tim Bozon’s night though. Just 30 seconds after Hudon scored, Bozon notched his first professional goal. He also scored his second of the night with just 3.1 seconds remaining but it was too late; the Devils had already scored an empty netter to seal the deal. Thanks to his effort and two-goal night, Bozon was named the IceCaps’ Hardest Working Player.
Binghamton Senators — March 8th and 9th
Last time they met: February 20th (4-1 Loss)
The IceCaps just can’t figure out a way to beat the last place Senators, being on the losing end in five of their six matchups so far this season. The streak continued as the Senators swept a weekend series the last time they played.
It wasn’t until the third period that Ellis scored for the IceCaps, with helpers going to Mark MacMillan and Brandon McNally. The team showed a lot of energy, but frustration reared its ugly head as Darren Dietz, McCarron and Shane Bakker all dropped the gloves once the game got out of reach.
Although the IceCaps finished with a loss, this was a game will live on for quite some time, thanks to a highlight save, not by Zachary Fucale nor Eddie Pasquale, but Bud “Superman” Holloway.
In the dying minutes of the game, when the IceCaps had absolutely no chance of coming back from a 4-1 beating, Holloway wasn’t about to let the Senators get away with an empty netter. He dove across the ice, deflecting the puck off his stick in mid-air.
It was the clip seen around the world. We all know Holloway is a superstar, but Superman? Who knew?
Hershey Bears — March 12th and 13th
Last time they met: November 7th (4-3 SO Win)
During the first period, McCarron took off with the puck on an end-to-end rush, fired it past goaltender Justin Peters, and into the net. But the referee waved it off. Thanks to the call, by the only ref on the ice, an opening period that could have been a close 2-1 ended with a 3-0 deficit instead.
Rookie defenceman Brett Lernout potted his first professional goal, with a rocket from the point in the second frame, to start the comeback. Ellis quickly followed suit with a top-shelf bullet, and Daniel Carr tied the game with just 2:56 left in regulation.
With a scoreless overtime, the two teams headed to a four-round shootout, where goaltender Fucale and captain Gabriel Dumont put an end to the contest, calling it a night with a 4-3 win.
The IceCaps are still hanging on to a playoff spot, being fourth in the North Division with 58 points. The Albany Devils are six points ahead in second place, and the Binghamton Senators sit in last place with 46. The Hershey Bears are atop the Atlantic Division with 74 points.
This will be a tough home stretch for St. John’s, as they face two teams that sit ahead of them in the standings, and the team in last place that continues to be a puzzle they can’t solve – all without some of their best players.
