Waiting Game Pays Off

April 7, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Worcester IceCats News Release


WORCESTER, MA - Andrei Troschinsky's goal midway through the third period gave the Worcester IceCats a 3-2 win last night over the Portland Pirates at Worcester's Centrum Centre. The IceCats, however, only learned how important Troschinsky's first game-winner of the season really was, almost five hours later. By virtue of Worcester's win and Manitoba's 5-2 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins last night, the 'Cats finished the 2001-2002 season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and will host the number nine seed Manitoba Moose in the Qualifying Round if the 2002 Calder Cup Playoffs starting Tuesday at 7:05 PM.

The Moose, who completed their Winnipeg based tilt at 10:40 PM, had an opportunity to send the IceCats on the road. One Manitoba point would have had the 'Cats on a Monday morning bus bound for a game in Toronto with the St. John's Maple Leafs. Instead, Worcester will await the Moose in Massachusetts.

Worcester and Manitoba both finished the season with 86 points, but by virtue of the fourth tiebreaker, goal differential, the IceCats sprung to the host position for the best-of-three series. A Moose win last night would have actually placed them in first in their Division and third in the Conference. A single point would have had them seeded sixth, eliminating an appearance in the Qualifying Round all together.

This will be the first meeting ever between Worcester and Manitoba. The Moose, slotted in the Eastern Conference's Canadian Division, were one of nine teams to join the AHL this season. They finished the season 39-33-4-4. Worcester wrapped up the campaign 39-33-7-1.

Best of three Qualifying Series vs. Manitoba Moose

Best of three Qualifying Series vs. Manitoba Moose

Game A
Tuesday, April 9
Worcester's Centrum Centre, Worcester, MA @ 7:05 PM

Game B
Wednesday, April 10
Worcester's Centrum Centre, Worcester, MA @ 7:05 PM

Game C**
Thursday, April 11
Worcester's Centrum Centre, Worcester, MA @ 7:05 PM
**IF NECESSARY

Tickets for the playoffs are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased at all TicketMaster outlets, including the Box Office at Worcester's Centrum Centre or charge by phone at 508 or 617 931-2000. Ticket prices for the playoffs are $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for students (13-18 years old or with college ID) and $9.50 for kids (ages 2-12) and seniors (65 or older). Discount tickets are available for groups of 15 or more. Call 1-800-830-CATS for details.



American Hockey League Stories from April 7, 2002


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