Comments / New

IceCaps Series Recap: Danis makes 50 saves as St. John’s splits with Wilkes Barre

Posted on by Bobby Gamba

The St. John’s IceCaps eight-game home stand continued this past weekend as they played host to the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Penguins.

Saturday: Penguins 6-2 IceCaps

Michael McCarron was absent from the game after picking up an injury in the team’s previous game against Syracuse. McCarron also missed Sunday’s matinee.

A former Canadiens draft pick opened the scoring on Saturday night. Unfortunately, it was Wilkes Barre forward Danny Kristo. Kristo’s wrist shot beat Charlie Lindgren to put the Penguins up 1-0.

The scoreline wasn’t the only negative for the IceCaps. Leading scorer, Nikita Scherbak, sustained an injury following a hit and did not return.

In the second period, the Penguins put on a display, both offensively and in goal. Proving why they are the elite of the AHL. Kevin Porter and Dominik Simon both scored powerplay goals, and Jean-Sebastian Dea also added a goal of his own.

Chris Terry was able to get on the scoresheet for St. John’s in the second period. Heading into the third, the penguins led 4-1. Terry, who was playing his first game since being sent down, was the best IceCaps foward throughout the weekend.

The third period was no better for St. John’s. Tim Erixon ad Josh Archibald added to the Penguins lead. Daniel Audette was able to pull one back for the IceCaps, but they was all they could produce offensively. Tom Parisi picked up an assist on the play, his first point of the season.

Tristan Jarry was solid in the Penguins goal, making 31 saves in the 6-2 victory. His counterpart, Charlie Lindgren, struggled for his second consecutive start. The rookie netminder was left in for all six goals, leaving many to question the decision to leave him in the game for so long.

Goaltenders:

STJ: Charlie Lindgren (L) 21/27

WBS: Tristan Jarry (W) 31/33

Three Stars:

1. Jarry (WBS)

2. Kevin Porter (WBS)

3. Sven Andrighetto (STJ)

Highlights:

Sunday: IceCaps 3-2 Penguins

Yann Danis got the start for St. John’s in the second of the back-to-back games. Nikita Scherbak, who missed the majority of Saturday’s game, was scratched due to injury.

For once, it was the IceCaps who got off to a quick start.

Chris Terry opened the scoring on the powerplay, less than five minutes into the first period. Sven Andrigetto’s cross-ice pass found the tape of Terry, who beat Casey DeSmith with a one-timer. 1-0 IceCaps.

The veteran, Danis, was tested early and often, turning aside 20 shots in the first period alone.

In the second period, Terry and Andrighetto connected again. This time is was a Terry cross-ice pass that found Andrighetto. Number 27 made no mistake, picking the top corner to put the IceCaps up 2-0.

With four seconds remaining in the period, the Penguins were finally able to beat Danis. Oskar Sundqvist’s goal cut the lead to 2-1 heading into the intermission.

Midway through the third, Chad Ruhwedel tied the game up at 2-2. The IceCaps were lucky their netminder was in top form. Danis made 16 saves in the final period of regulation, while his teammates could only fire five shots towards the Penguins goal.

In overtime, it was a heads up play by Danis to keep the play alive that lead to an odd-man rush for the IceCaps. Penguins defenceman, Cameron Gaunce, made a great play to intersect Chris Terry’s pass, but a few seconds later, Gaunce turned the puck over to Julien Brouillette. The IceCaps defenceman fed the puck to Terry, who for the second time in the game, beat DeSmith with a one-timer.

Goaltenders:

STJ: Yann Danis (W) 50/52

WBS: Casey DeSmith (OTL) 22/25

Three Stars:

  1. Danis (STJ)
  2. Sven Andrighetto (STJ)
  3. Chad Ruhwedel (WBS)

Highlights:

The IceCaps now have a 12-11-1-0 record, good for 4th in the North Division.

Support Habs Eyes On The Prize by signing up for Norton 360

Talking Points