St. John's IceCaps NewsAll is Weller for St. John’s
Shawn Weller scores twice, IceCaps win third straight
It was a much different game this time around, but the result was the same.
Shawn Weller scored two power play goals and Eddie Pasquale made 30 saves as the St. John’s IceCaps defeated the Worcester Sharks 3-1 for their second win this week at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
After the IceCaps and Sharks combined for nine goals on Tuesday (a 6-3 IceCaps win), the goaltenders stole the show Saturday night. Pasquale carried a fatigued IceCaps squad and came up with a flurry of big saves down the stretch to remain unbeaten at 4-0 this season.
Weller’s first goal came at 14:25 of the opening period when he deflected a Jason DeSantis point shot past Sharks goaltender Tyson Sexsmith to give the IceCaps a 1-0 advantage. St. John’s held the lead until 9:20 of the second period when Brodie Reid tied it for Worcester. However, Weller quickly responded for the IceCaps just two minutes later when he roofed a backhand from in close to beat Sexsmith for his second of the game and fourth of the season, a highlight goal for sure. That was all the offence the IceCaps would need.
Saturday’s game showcased a couple of ornery teams. Ben Chiarot tangled with Sharks forward Curt Gogol midway through the first period, while Patrice Cormier and Worcester captain Mike Moore dropped the gloves in the second frame. Having played just four days earlier, both teams played a physical brand of hockey all game long.
The Sharks had plenty of chances to tie the game late in the third period. With less than five minutes to play, the Sharks were given a two-man advantage after John Albert and Travis Ramsey were sent off for minor penalties. However, Worcester was unable to beat Pasquale, who made several key stops to preserve the one-goal lead. The IceCaps penalty-killing unit stifled the Sharks all game long, successfully killing off all six chances.
St. John’s has now won three straight road contests and has recorded at least a point in each of its seven games away from Mile One Centre this season. The IceCaps now have 19 points and lead the Providence Bruins by six points for first in the Atlantic Division. St. John’s is also two points up on the Connecticut Whale for top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The IceCaps will wrap up their six-game road trip when they travel to Bridgeport Sunday afternoon to face the Sound Tigers. Next weekend, the IceCaps begin a six-game homestand with a pair of games Saturday and Sunday versus the Whale.
Sunday’s tilt, and all 76 IceCaps games, can be heard live on 930 AM This Is Newfoundland Labrador and online at www.stjohnsicecaps.com. Brian Rogers has the call beginning with the preview show at 4:00 pm. Drop of the puck is set for 4:30 (all times Newfoundland).