IceCaps Sweep League-Leading Monarchs
Published on January 7, 2015 under American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release
The St. John's IceCaps extended their winning streak to three games as they topped the Manchester Monarchs for the second consecutive night at Mile One Centre, this time by a score of 3-2.
Austen Brassard, Nicholas Blanchard and Chase Balisy each tallied singles for the IceCaps who have won three straight games for the first time since the team registered five consecutive wins between Nov. 18 and Nov. 26.
Connor Hellebuyck finished the game with 35 saves to earn the win, while Patrik Bartosak allowed three goals on 25 shots against for Manchester.
The Monarchs were the first to find the back of the net late in the opening period as the recently recalled Maxim Kitsyn saw some light between the legs of Hellebuyck and fired a perfect shot to beat the goaltender through the five-hole with 3:51 remaining in the first frame.
The IceCaps managed to tie the game by the end of the second period as Brassard notched his second goal of the year when he converted on a rebound after a Will O'Neill shot, beating Monarchs starter Bartosak cleanly just 2:44 into the frame.
The IceCaps started the third period with a bang and took control of the game with a pair of goals in the first 1:28 of play.
Blanchard scored his first as an IceCap just 21 seconds into the third period. Blair Riley fired a shot on goal that deflected off a defender's shin pad and right on Blanchard's stick and he was able to beat Bartosak high on the glove side.
Scott Kosmachuk helped push the lead to two as he danced around a defender on the right wing with a beautiful toe drag and sent a perfect pass to Balisy for a tap-in goal to give the IceCaps a 3-1 lead.
Colin Miller scored a power play goal with 3:45 remaining in the game but that's as close as they would come as the IceCaps defence stood tall in the dying minutes of the game.
The IceCaps return to Mile One Centre on Saturday, January 10 as they host 2013-14 IceCaps MVP Andrew Gordon and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for a two-game set. Tickets are available at the Mile One Centre Box Office, by phone at (709) 576-7657 and online at www.mileonecentre.com. Catch all the action with broadcaster Brian Rogers at www.stjohnsicecaps.com, 930AM, Rogers TV and www.ahllive.com.
Notes | Not dressed: Brenden Kichton, Eric O'Dell, Ralfs Freibergs, Ryan Olsen, Patrick Holland, Carl Klingberg... St. John's went 0-for-2 on the power play and allowed a goal on their only penalty kill opportunity... Manchester outshot St. John's 37-25 and 70-46 over the two games... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Nic Blanchard 2. Connor Hellebuyck 3. Nick Shore ... IceCaps Hardest Working Player: Kris Fredheim.
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