IceCaps Down Bulldogs 3-2 to Snap Streak

Published on November 13, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release


The St. John's IceCaps broke out of their recent slump and snapped a seven-game winless skid on Thursday night by defeating the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2 at Mile One Centre.

Patrice Cormier and Keaton Ellerby each recorded a goal and an assist and Ryan Olsen added a single to lead the IceCaps to their first victory since Oct. 25.

It appeared as if the Bulldogs struck first early in the opening frame. The newest member of the Bulldogs, Rene Bourque, came in on the right wing and fired a quick shot against IceCaps starting goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and batted his own rebound out of mid-air but the goal was called off due to a high stick.

The IceCaps would open the scoring for real just a few minutes later. With the Bulldogs' Sven Andrighetto in the box for roughing, the IceCaps did a good job circling the puck in the offensive zone and Patrice Cormier jumped on a rebound to the left of Hamilton starter Joey MacDonald to give St. John's the lead just under six minutes into the game.

Olsen padded the lead with his second professional goal as he cut into the offensive zone with speed, snuck through the slot and slid a quick shot hard along the ice that eluded MacDonald with 9:34 left in the opening period.

The Bulldogs would get one back before the end of the first. With the teams playing four-on-four, Magnus Nygren blasted a shot from the point that hit the post before finding the back of the net at 14:25.

The IceCaps had a great chance to push the lead to two in early in the second period as rookie Scott Kosmachuk split the Hamilton defence and went in alone on MacDonald, who made a big glove save to keep his team in the game.

The teams skated to a scoreless second frame and the IceCaps led 19-15 on the shot clock after 40 minutes.

Bulldogs captain Gabriel Dumont tied the game early in the third period as he was the only skater to find the puck during a scramble in front of the IceCaps net and stuffed it past Hellebuyck at 3:45.

The IceCaps surged ahead for good with 10:59 remaining in the game as Ellerby fired a quick seeing-eye snap snot from the left point which eluded MacDonald and found the back of the net.

Hellebuyck stood tall for the remainder of the game and kicked out a total of 12 shots in the third period and 25 shots overall to help the IceCaps earn their first win in the month of November.

The IceCaps and Bulldogs square off again tomorrow night at Mile One Centre (7:30 p.m. NST). Catch all the action with broadcaster Brian Rogers at www.stjohnsicecaps.com, 930 AM, Rogers TV and www.ahllive.com.

Following the series against the Bulldogs, the IceCaps host the Toronto Marlies at Mile One next Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 18th and 19th. Tickets are available at the Mile One Centre Box Office in-person from 12-5 p.m., by phone at 709-576-7657 and online at www.mileonecentre.com.

Notes: Not dressed: Jason Jaffray, Brandon MacLean, Kyle MacKinnon, Ben Walker, Patrick Holland, Jordan Hill... St. John's went 1-for-3 with the man advantage and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill... With Cormier's power-play goal in the first period, the IceCaps have now scored a power play goal in eight consecutive contests...The IceCaps consecutive sellout streak ended at 120 regular season games Thursday. Official attendance was 5,667... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Patrice Cormier 2. Gabriel Dumont 3. Keaton Ellerby... Mary Brown's Hardest Working Player: JC Lipon.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2014


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