The St. John’s IceCaps were back in action on Friday night, kicking off the team’s final series of the season. It was the annual Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame night. The IceCaps wore specialty jerseys to honour the new inductees, who included Hall of Famer, Howie Meeker.
How sharp were those @sportnl Stars and Legends jerseys last night? #WeStandTogether pic.twitter.com/WWNyVwunx4
— St. John’s IceCaps (@IceCapsAHL) April 16, 2016
The IceCaps, having been officially eliminated from playoff contention for some time now, are playing for pride. But the visiting Hartford Wolf Pack came into the game fighting for a spot in playoffs.
Rookie Zachary Fucale got the start for the IceCaps, who are now carrying only two goalies, as Ben Scrivens was granted permission from Habs management to return home for the remainder of the season. Fucale was solid through the game, had he been as average as the rest of the team, the outcome would’ve been a lot worse.
Wolf Pack winger Jayson Megna opened the scoring. He came bursting down the right wing, embarrassing IceCaps defenseman, Darren Dietz, before sliding it past Fucale. Megna’s tally was applauded by some at Mile One, who were in awe of what they witnessed.
Hartford defenseman Chris Summers was the lone goal scorer in the second period. Summers was left wide open after jumping in on the rush. Adam Tambellini hit the veteran with a great pass, who slotted home his third of the campaign.
At the other end, the IceCaps were unable to break down Wolf Pack goaltender, Mackenzie Skapski. Skapski, was near perfect over the course of the game. Stopping 23 of the 24 shots directed his way.
The only shot that managed to beat the 21 year-old came in the third period. A Morgan Ellis snapshot was redirected by a Hartford defenseman and fooled Skapski.
Ellis, who can be looked at as a bright spot on a defensive core which has struggled all season, now sits second in goals by defensemen this season, with 17.
The visitors would add two of their own. Nicklas Jensen and Chad Nehring picked up the goals. 4-1 Wolf Pack
Although Hartford won the game, a Bridgeport Sound Tigers victory over the Portland Pirates ended the Wolf Pack’s playoff aspirations.
The second game of the series goes Saturday night, in what is the IceCaps season finale.
Goaltenders:
St. John’s: Zachary Fucale (L) 25/29
Hartford: Mackenzie (W) 23/24
Three stars:
1. Jayson Megna
2. Chris Summers
3. Bud Holloway
