King of the Hill: IceCaps Top Monarchs
March 13, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
St. John's IceCaps News Release
Jordan Hill made the most of his return to the lineup as he notched the overtime winner, helping the IceCaps to a 5-4 win over the Manchester Monarchs at Mile One Centre on Friday night.
Patrice Cormier left the puck in the slot for a streaking Hill, who pinched in and beat the goaltender high on the glove side for his first goal of the season just 1:17 into overtime to give the IceCaps the much-needed two points.
Jason Jaffray led the way on offense and tallied two goals and John Albert and Will O'Neill each chipped in with a pair of assists as the IceCaps snapped a mini-two game winless skid.
The IceCaps got the scoring started in the first period when Jaffray took a pass from Julien Brouillette, who left him a tap-in for his seventh goal of the season at 9:49.
St. John's controlled the play for the majority of the opening frame and managed to fire 17 shots on Monarchs starter Jean-Francois Berube.
The persistence paid off as the IceCaps extended their lead to two early in the second period. Scott Kosmachuk picked up a rebound in front of Berube and used his reach to slide the puck through the goaltender's pads and into the net at 3:55.
St. John's then got into some penalty trouble in the second period and were nabbed for five consecutive penalties, including three hooking calls.
Brian O'Neill and Vincent LoVerde made the IceCaps pay as both scored with the man advantage just under three minutes apart to tie the hockey game by the 15:12 mark of the period.
Ryan Olsen restored the IceCaps lead with a perfect wrist shot from the right circle with 1:31 remaining in the second, giving his team a boost of energy heading into the third.
The Monarchs' Berube was yanked from the game after 40 minutes of play and finished the night with three goals against on 28 shots. Patrik Bartosak entered the game in relief and the change seemed to spark the Monarchs.
Jordan Weal tied the game again just 2:45 into the third period as he beat IceCaps starter Connor Hellebuyck from the left circle with a strong wrist shot off a tape-to-tape pass from Michael Mersch.
Jaffray earned his second of the night at 11:58 as Joel Armia parked behind the net and found Jaffray peeking from behind the Monarchs defender. He one-timed a perfect snap shot behind Bartosak for his third multi-goal game of the season, giving the IceCaps the lead once again.
But the resilient Monarchs proved why they're one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference with the tying goal just over two minutes later to force overtime, a one-timer off the stick of Ryan Horvat at 14:06.
Hellebuyck was strong down the stretch and finished the night with 29 saves, while Bartosak was saddled with the loss despite only recording 21:17 of ice time. He finished the game with seven saves on nine shots against.
The IceCaps and Monarchs square off again for the final game of this three-game series tomorrow, Saturday, March 14 (7:30 p.m. NST). Tickets are available at the Mile One Centre Box Office, by phone at 576-7657 or online at www.mileonecentre.com. Catch all the action with broadcaster Brian Rogers at www.stjohnsicecaps.com, 930AM, Rogers TV and www.ahllive.com. Pregame show begins at 7:00.
Notes | Not dressed: Kyle MacKinnon, Keaton Ellerby, Ben Walker, Ryan Parent, Brandon MacLean... Ellerby was recalled by the Winnipeg Jets prior to the game... St. John's went 0-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-7 on the penalty kill... St. John's outshot Manchester 37-33... Molson Canadian Three Stars: 1. Jason Jaffray 2. Brian O'Neill 3. Jordan Hill... IceCaps Hardest Working Player: Ryan Olsen.
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