After a series split against the last-place Binghamton Senators this past weekend, the IceCaps got bumped up to third place in the North Division, holding on to their playoff spot. They lucked out on that due to their other divisional rivals — the Utica Comets and Albany Devils — also coming out on the losing end of their weekend games.
The IceCaps are coming off an eight-game homestand on which they collected 10 out of a possible 16 points. Before wrapping up the season at home next weekend, they first have a short four-game road trip.
It’s an early rise for the St. John’s IceCaps this Tuesday as they face the Toronto Marlies at 11:00 AM EDT at the Ricoh Coliseum. The Marlies manoeuvred their way back up to first place in the North Division with 83 points, while the IceCaps still hold on to fourth place just seven points behind.
You can watch on the game live on TSN2.
The last time these two teams met was a month ago on March 4 and 5. They split the series , with the Marlies taking home a 3-1 victory on Saturday, and the IceCaps beating them in a 3-0 shutout the following night. It was Yann Danis’ first shutout as an IceCap.
The IceCaps will be without their starting goaltender, Charlie Lindgren, as he’s still with the Montreal Canadiens backing up Carey Price, as Al Montoya nurses a lower-body injury. Danis was between the pipes for back-to-back games against the Senators this past weekend, and although he struggled during Friday’s game, he came up with a win the following night. Backing him while Lindgren is gone is ex-IceCap and Brampton Beast netminder, Zach Fucale.
Although the top line cooled off during last month, Chris Terry remains the team’s leading scorer and is third in points in the league with 60. The secondary scoring efforts of Jacob de la Rose, Bobby Farnham, Max Friberg and Daniel Audette have been the difference makers in March.
This will be the fourth time this season that these two teams have met. The Marlies have been a tough opponent, taking home the win in three out of those four contests. They’re currently riding a six-game winning streak heading into this matchup. The IceCaps on the other hand, after enjoying a four-game winning streak in the middle of March, have been going back-and-forth on their wins ever since.
It’s going to be a tough road trip for the IceCaps as the playoffs grow closer. After the Marlies, they’ll have to face the Devils and Comets. All three teams are separated by just a few points in the standings.
