IceCaps Drop Back-And-Forth Affair in Portland
March 27, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release
Despite a three-goal surge in the latter stages of the opening period, the St. John's IceCaps fell 6-4 to the Portland Pirates Friday at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, Maine.
Jason Jaffray had two goals and an assist and Kyle MacKinnon had 3 assists but the IceCaps couldn't contain the high-powered Portland offence. Alex Bolduc had a pair of goals and Patrick McNeill tallied three assists while Mike McKenna turned aside 24 shots.
Connor Hellebuyck got the start but was relieved by Peter Budaj after allowing four goals on 13 shots. Budaj stopped 13-of-14 in relief as the IceCaps fell to the Pirates for the second time in three days.
After Lucas Lessio opened the scoring with a power play goal just 1:54 in, the IceCaps exploded late in the frame. Balisy evened things up with his team-leading 16th goal of the season after walking in untouched before Jaffray converted in tight to put St. John's up 2-1. Then, with just 22 seconds left in the period, Julian Brouillette blasted a slap shot past McKenna to make it three goals in 91 seconds for the visitors, as they exited the first up 3-1.
The Pirates flipped the script in the middle frame. A Bolduc power play tally narrowed the deficit to one early in the second, which was followed by a Francis Wathier goal minutes later to even the score at 3-3. Brenden Shinnimin beat Hellebuyck with a nice move at 9:44 to make it 4-3 Portland and end Hellebuyck's night early.
After some pressure in the third Jaffray notched his second of the night on a backhanded wraparound, jamming the puck up and over McKenna to knot things at four apiece at 14:14.
However, the Pirates retook the lead less than a minute later on Bolduc's second of the night at 15:03, making it 5-4. Phil Lane's empty-netter with 38 seconds to go sealed the win.
The IceCaps visit the Worcester Sharks Saturday for the final game of their six-game road trip (8:30 p.m. NDT). Catch all the action with Brian Rogers at www.stjohnsicecaps.com, 930AM and www.ahllive.com . Pregame show begins at 8:00.
The IceCaps return home next weekend for the start of Fan Appreciation month, beginning Friday and Saturday vs. the Providence Bruins (7:30 p.m. NDT). Tickets are available by calling 576-7657 or visiting www.mileonecentre.com and the Mile One Centre box office.
Notes: Not dressed: John Albert, Brandon MacLean, Peter Stoykewych, Jordan Hill, Julian Melchiori, Axel Blomqvist, Jimmy Lodge... St. John's went 0-for-3 on the power play and have now gone nine straight games without a power play goal (0-for-33). The IceCaps went 2-for-5 on the penalty kill and allowed seven power play goals on 13 chances in the two game set with Portland... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Alex Bolduc 2. Phil Lane 3. Jason Jaffray... IceCaps Hardest Working Player: Ryan Parent.
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