IceCaps Dodge Pirates in Shootout
February 25, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release
Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves and stopped all three shooters in the shootout as the St. John's IceCaps beat the Portland Pirates 3-2 Wednesday night at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, ME.
Chase Balisy scored the only goal in the shootout while John Albert and Patrice Cormier had the tallies in regulation. With the win, the IceCaps extended their point streak to five games and clinched the best-of-nine Eimskip Port-to-Port Challenge Cup series with two games left to play.
Like Sunday's game in Portland, the IceCaps got on the board first on a goal by Cormier, who tipped a Julien Brouillette shot from the left point that got through traffic.
Despite some huge penalty kills late in the second including an extended stretch where the IceCaps were down two men, the Pirates tied it early in the third. At the tail end of a minor penalty to Jordan Hill, Philip Samuelsson one-timed a shot that snuck through Hellebuyck to make it 1-1.
Just 48 seconds later the IceCaps pulled back on top as Albert deflected a Hill shot past Pirates netminder Louis Domingue to give his club a 2-1 advantage.
With 2:36 left in regulation, the Pirates tied it up on another power play marker. Jordon Southorn walked out front from the corner and roofed a backhand over Hellebuyck's blocker to send the game to overtime.
No winner could be found in a back-and-forth extra frame, and Balisy - the first of three shooters for St. John's - was the only player able to find the back of the net in the shootout, giving the IceCaps the win.
The IceCaps head to Worcester this weekend for a pair of games versus the Sharks at DCU Center. Catch all the action with broadcaster Brian Rogers Friday (9:00 p.m. NST) and Saturday (8:30 p.m. NST) at www.stjohnsicecaps.com, 930AM and www.ahllive.com. Pregame show begins 30 minutes before puck drop. The IceCaps' next home action is March 6 and 7 vs. the Albany Devils. Tickets are available at the Mile One Centre Box Office, by phone at 576-7657 or online at www.mileoncentre.com .
Notes | Not dressed: Kris Fredheim, Kyle MacKinnon, Ben Walker, Joel Armia, Ryan Parent, Peter Budaj... St. John's went 0-for-3 on the power play and 5-for-7 on the penalty kill... St. John's was outshot 43-27... Jason Jaffray returned to the lineup after missing 15 games due to injury... Scott Kosmachuk extended his point streak to three games with an assist (2G, 2A)... John Albert has points in three straight (1G, 2A)... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Chase Balisy 2. Connor Hellebuyck 3. Alex Bolduc... IceCaps Hardest Working Player: Patrice Cormier.
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