Hellebuyck Shuts Door on Pirates

February 7, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release


Will O'Neill scored the game's only goal in the second period and Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 35 shots he faced as the St. John's IceCaps topped the Portland Pirates 1-0 at Mile One Centre on Saturday night.

Just one night removed from the worst loss in franchise history, the IceCaps rebounded to play a solid team game and killed off six Pirates power plays to snap a mini two-game winless skid.

With Portland's Greg Carey in the box serving a bench minor for too many men just over six minutes into the second frame, the IceCaps made the Pirates pay with the man advantage.

O'Neill took a pass from Brenden Kichton at the Portland blue line and lifted a wrist shot from the point that eluded Portland starter Mike McKenna and tumbled into the net with 12:15 remaining in the period.

The Pirates were buzzing in the third period and fired 11 shots against the IceCaps netminder but Hellebuyck stopped them all to record his fourth shutout of the season, good for a share of third place among American Hockey League goaltenders.

The IceCaps will take the next two days off before continuing their six-game homestand on Feb. 10 and 11 as the Hartford WolfPack roll into St. John's for a pair of games. Tickets are on sale now at the Mile One Box Office, by phone at (709) 576-7657 or www.mileonecentre.com. Catch all the action with broadcaster Brian Rogers at www.stjohnsicecaps.com, 930AM and www.ahllive.com.

Notes | Not dressed: Ryan Olsen, Eric O'Dell, Jason Jaffray, Patrick Holland, Peter Budaj, Ryan Parent... St. John's went 1-for-5 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill... The IceCaps have now scored a power play goal in six consecutive games... With tonight's game-winning goal, defenceman Will O'Neill extended his point streak to six games (3G, 7A)... Kyle MacKinnon's assist gave him seven points in his last six games (2G, 5A)... Portland outshot St. John's 35-26... With the win, the IceCaps have now taken the lead in the the Eimskip Port-to-Port Challenge Cup, three wins to two... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Connor Hellebuyck 2. Jordan Szwarz 3. John Albert ... IceCaps Hardest Working Player: Chase Balisy.



American Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2015


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