By Brian Ring
Hartford, CT, October 14, 2012 – The Connecticut Whale were defeated by the St. John’s IceCaps, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at the XL Center. Spencer Machacek scored the game-winning goal for the IceCaps and also added an assist to lead St. John’s. Kris Newbury and Kyle Jean both scored for the Whale, who have now dropped their first two games of the season.
“There are things that we can correct,” said Newbury. “We just need to be a little smarter and stay out of the (penalty) box, and that will give us a better chance to win.”
Newbury opened the scoring for Connecticut 12:24 into the first period with a power-play goal, his third tally in the first two games of the season. Newbury received a pass in the left circle from Sean Collins before turning and firing on St. John’s goaltender Mark Dekanich (35 saves). Newbury’s bid kicked off the skate of a St. John’s defender before slipping through the five-hole of Dekanich. Chris Kreider also assisted on the goal.
The IceCaps would even the game up with 2:25 left to play in the first, as Maxime Macenauer buried his first goal of the season against Whale goaltender Scott Stajcer (22 saves), making his first start in net. After having an initial one-time bid denied, Macenauer recovered his rebound from Hunter Tremblay and scored. Will O’Neill recorded the secondary assist.
Jean put the Whale back on top, 2-1, with his second goal in as many games, burying a rebound opportunity over the glove of Dekanich. J.T. Miller’s shot was knocked back into the slot by Dekanich, enabling Jean to gather the second power-play goal of the night for Connecticut. Logan Pyett also recorded an assist on the play, his first point of the young season.
The IceCaps’ Zach Redmond, however, would knot the game up at two headed into the third period, with his first goal of the season, coming with just four seconds left in the period. Redmond’s goal was assisted by Machacek and Alex Burmistrov.
Machacek would hurt the Whale again 7:55 into the third period, as he tallied his first goal of the year and the eventual game-winner on a secondary attempt from the slot to put the IceCaps ahead for good, 3-2.
The Whale will now begin a three-game road trip to Norfolk and Albany before returning home to host the Hershey Bears on Fri., Oct. 26 at the XL Center (7:00 PM).
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St. John’s IceCaps 3 at Connecticut Whale 2
Sunday, October 14, 2012 – XL Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum
St. John’s 1 1 1 – 3
Connecticut 1 1 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Connecticut, Newbury 3 (Collins, Kreider), 12:24 (PP). 2, St. John’s, Macenauer 1 (Tremblay, Telegin), 17:35. Penalties-Macenauer Stj (hooking), 1:01; Pitt Ct (hooking), 4:37; Grant Ct (tripping), 7:27; Arsene Stj (holding), 10:39; Kreider Ct (interference), 15:17.
2nd Period-3, Connecticut, Jean 2 (Miller, Pyett), 5:14 (PP). 4, St. John’s, Redmond 1 (Machacek, Burmistrov), 19:56 (PP). Penalties-Chiarot Stj (delay of game), 4:25; Collins Ct (slashing), 18:58.
3rd Period-5, St. John’s, Machacek 1 (Tremblay, Burmistrov), 7:55 (PP). Penalties-Meech Stj (cross-checking), 2:28; Kreider Ct (tripping), 6:14; Redmond Stj (interference), 14:43.
Shots on Goal-St. John’s 9-5-11-25. Connecticut 10-15-12-37.
Power Play Opportunities-St. John’s 2 / 5; Connecticut 2 / 5.
Goalies-St. John’s, Dekanich 1-0-0 (37 shots-35 saves). Connecticut, Stajcer 0-1-0 (25 shots-22 saves).
A-2,081
Referees-Jean Hebert (43).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Marty Demers (79).
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