IceCaps Can't Close out Wolf Pack
January 2, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release
The St. John's IceCaps surrendered four straight goals in a 4-2 loss to the Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night at XL Center in Hartford, CT.
Scott Kosmachuk and Kyle MacKinnon spotted the IceCaps a 2-0 lead, but Hartford roared back with four in a row, including the game-winner off the stick of Conor Allen at 11:18 of the third period.
Peter Budaj was denied the win for St. John's, making 27 saves on 30 shots.
The IceCaps opened the scoring at 14:36 of the first on a power play after a holding call to the Wolf Pack's Joey Crabb. Eric O'Dell sent a saucer pass to Chase Balisy at the side of the net before the rookie threw a backhand pass on the tape of Kosmachuk, who converted to make it 1-0.
Towards the end of the second period, MacKinnon gave the IceCaps a two-goal lead on his second of the season. MacKinnon used Nic Blanchard as a decoy on a two-on-one rush and snapped a shot past Mackenzie Skapski, with assists going to Will O'Neill and Blair Riley.
The Wolf Pack got one back to make it 2-1 with just 5.7 seconds left in the second as Tommy Hughes beat Budaj shorthanded after a drop pass from Chris Bourque.
Hartford kept coming in the third and got a strange tying goal just minutes into the final frame. Chad Nehring fired the puck out front from the corner and it hit Budaj's skate before deflecting into the net to even the score at 2-2.
With 8:42 to go in the period, Allen took a slap shot from the right side boards that eluded Budaj high on the short side to give the home side a 3-2 advantage, a lead they would not relinquish.
Michael Kostka added an empty-netter to seal the win.
The IceCaps and Wolf Pack face off in a rematch Saturday night at XL Center (8:30 p.m. NST). Catch all the action with broadcaster Brian Rogers at www.stjohnsicecaps.com, 930AM and www.ahllive.com. Pregame show begins at 8:00.
The IceCaps return home for seven straight games beginning Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 6 and 7, versus the division-leading Manchester Monarchs. Tickets are available at the Mile One Centre Box Office, by phone at (709) 576-7657 and online at www.mileonecentre.com.
Notes: Not dressed: Keaton Ellerby, Brenden Kichton, Brandon MacLean, Ben Walker, Ralfs Freibergs, Patrick Holland... St. John's was outshot 31-20... The IceCaps went 1-for-7 on the power play while killing off all six penalties... Goaltender Peter Budaj has not recorded a win this season (0-6-4)... The teams combined for 54 penalty minutes and 13 power plays... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Conor Allen 2. Chris Bourque 3. Chad Nehring... Mary Brown's Hardest Working Player: Kyle MacKinnon.
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