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Post by seventeen on Mar 9, 2017 1:29:42 GMT -5
Yep, it's an easier road for the Habs farm team, but they still seem intent on taking a detour.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 17, 2017 9:54:49 GMT -5
IceCaps on RDS tonight
Another big game for the farm team as they face the Rochester Americans tonight. They are in a close battle with Utica for the last playoff spot in their division, with the Comets holding the slimmest of win percentage margins over the IceCaps. Tonight's game is a game that St. John's "should" win, as the Amerks sit dead last in the division and second worst overall in the AHL.
Put a few green ones in the fridge and have a St. Patty's day party watching the Caps or else go out enjoy your green pints and PVR this puppy. Slainte!!
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Post by seventeen on Mar 18, 2017 0:58:03 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 19, 2017 8:43:32 GMT -5
B2B wins against weak Rochester, with a 2-0 Lindgren shut out last night. Goals by the most likely suspects, Hudon and Terry.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 22, 2017 9:46:22 GMT -5
Being up 4-0 at 10:35 in the second period should be enough, right? Last night for the IceCaps, the answer was unfortunately a resounding "NO". Five unanswered goals by the Phantoms, including the final one in OT, sealed the deal. The IceCaps were riding their season-longest four game winning streak (how sad is that?) into this game, and I guess the drive for five was not meant to be.
Lindgren was in net for the loss, and goals by DLR, MacMillan, Audette and Gregoire. A little like the big team, the farm team's top line was noticeably silent on the scoresheet last night.
The same teams tangle again tonight on the Rock.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 22, 2017 10:34:26 GMT -5
IceCaps on RDS tonight
The rematch against Lehigh Valley Phantoms is on tape delay on RDS tonight at 7:30 pm EDT.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 25, 2017 18:58:28 GMT -5
Big win against the Hershey Bears this afternoon. Keegan Lowe won it with 15 seconds left. 4-3 with Lindgren in net. Goals by Lowe, Gregoire, Brouillette and Veilleux.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2017 21:18:07 GMT -5
So does this mean the Caps will be in the playoffs? That would be quite something, didn't think it was possible with that dummy Lefebvre as head coach.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 25, 2017 22:36:06 GMT -5
So does this mean the Caps will be in the playoffs? That would be quite something, didn't think it was possible with that dummy Lefebvre as head coach. 4th place right now in their division, in a tight battle with Utica for that last spot. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2017 10:58:57 GMT -5
AHL playoff primer: top four teams in each division get in, with win percentage being the measure since the league now has an unbalanced schedule with games played amongst all its teams.
IceCaps currently sit in 4th place in their division with 8 games to play. They have 74 points and a .544 win percentage. Albany is a hair ahead of them in third with 73 points and a .545 win percentage because they have a game in hand. Utica is right behind in the mix with 71 points and a .530 win percentage. They have a game in hand but will still sport a lower save percentage if they win that game. So, as it stands now, the IceCaps are in...if not for those 8 games remaining!!
It is actually a decent schedule for the IceCaps. Two of those games are head to head against Albany and Utica, so those two games will go a long way to see a little breathing room emerge for somebody. Three of the 8 games are against last place Binghampton Senators, who are a full 20 points behind the IceCaps. Those are games they must win. The other 3 games are against division leading Toronto Marlies, who sit a mere five points ahead of St. John's. Those are going to be games that can go either way.
I would say that they control their own destiny for the most part. Win most of those games and they are likely in. Don't, and they will be doing a lot of scoreboard watching. As much as I want to see Lefebvre and his entire coaching crew chucked to the curb after this season (can it finally happen?), I still want to see the farm team get in some playoff action under his five years of mediocrity.
The team's offense right now is somewhat focused on Terry and Hudon, who both are over 20 goals and make up with Scherbak a pretty good first line. Lindgren has been playing a ton, and doing well for the most part. DLR has also stepped up his game and is playing good hockey right now. The rest of the crew are mainly filler, but they will need them all to contribute down the stretch. The defense has done well with top guy Redmond being out for the last few games with a minor injury.
Go Caps Go!
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Post by seventeen on Mar 27, 2017 12:01:32 GMT -5
One caveat regarding Binghampton. The Sens just signed Colin White, their first pick in the 2015 draft, who was playing at Boston College. I believe he'll play with Binghampton to start with, so that may give the baby Sens a scoring boost.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 28, 2017 15:45:19 GMT -5
Just going to pump up DLR's tires for a moment. He is playing some very good hockey right now. He is contributing offensively but also doing all the other things that he typically does well at the same time. In the past when he has shown any offensive spurt at the AHL level, he has been called up. Nice to see him get some decent ice time at the AHL to continue to develop his overall game, rather than being used sparingly on the fourth line with the Habs. After all, he is still only 21 years old and can still evolve into a pretty useful player.
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Post by blny on Mar 28, 2017 15:57:52 GMT -5
If he could ever develop a nose for the net ... with his size and speed he'd be a great addition.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 31, 2017 10:38:43 GMT -5
Tonight's game is on RDS
IceCaps vs Bingo is on tape delay at 8:00 pm ET on RDS. I expect Danis will get the start over Fucale, but we shall see.
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Post by seventeen on Mar 31, 2017 12:03:37 GMT -5
Binghampmton has a .397 record, but they did just sign Colin White.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 31, 2017 21:16:03 GMT -5
And they doubled up on the IceCaps 4-2. So much for making it easier on themselves. Terry with both goals. Danis with the loss.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 1, 2017 1:04:43 GMT -5
Yup, The big L has lost his security blanket with Lindgren's call-up.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 1, 2017 6:47:47 GMT -5
Yup, The big L has lost his security blanket with Lindgren's call-up. Suddenly today's rematch against the same last place team looks much more like a "must win" game than it should. They still fully control their own destiny, but what was a five way race for four spots in the division is becoming a very tight three way race for two spots. I fully agree, their playoff hopes could very well rest on Al Montoya's health. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 1, 2017 21:24:33 GMT -5
Much better result tonight. 4-2 good guys. Danis with 29 saves and the win. Goals by Hudon, Farnham and a pair from DLR.
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Post by BadCompany on Apr 2, 2017 8:53:43 GMT -5
Good to see DLR having such a good month. Man, with his size, speed, and silky smooth defensive play... if he can add just a modicum of defense...
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 2, 2017 9:17:44 GMT -5
Here are the highlights from last night's win. DLR did get an empty netter, but his two on one snipe was off his stick pronto. And that was a nifty backhand behind the back shot in tight in the first that was off the post. Hudon's goal was patience and quite the shot roof daddy, and Farnham even showed nice speed and hands on his break away goal. m.youtube.com/watch?v=kJNkpjIK_e0 |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2017 10:51:28 GMT -5
I noticed a few things I liked in those highlights. On DLR's first goal, he not only one timed it, but got it high, just under the bar. Little things, but those are what you have to do to score in the NHL. On Hudon's goal, I liked how Scherbak took the body, creating a loose puck for Terry and then Hudon's patience in front and the roof daddy snipe over the glove.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 2, 2017 15:53:51 GMT -5
I noticed a few things I liked in those highlights. On DLR's first goal, he not only one timed it, but got it high, just under the bar. Little things, but those are what you have to do to score in the NHL. On Hudon's goal, I liked how Scherbak took the body, creating a loose puck for Terry and then Hudon's patience in front and the roof daddy snipe over the glove. Yes, Scherbak did not get an assist on the play since he never touched the puck, but he turned over the puck to start off that goal. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 4, 2017 14:48:21 GMT -5
IceCaps fell to the division leading Marlies today in a very early start. The IceCaps jumped out to an early 2-0 lead 21 minutes into the game, and then got outscored 5-0 the rest of the way. Friberg and Hudon had the goals. Terry and Scherbak assisted on Hudon's goal. Danis took the loss and faced 34 shots compared to the 22 the Caps through at the Marlies' net.
The boys dropped from third to fifth place even though both Albany and Utica were idle because they track positioning based on win percentage. The Caps have played one more game now than both their closest opponents. Both those teams are next up for the IceCaps, so those two four point games are HUGE if the boys want to gain an elusive playoff spot. Hopefully Lindgren is back soon.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 8, 2017 9:40:07 GMT -5
So, losing to the Albany Devils in a huge four point game probably was not a good thing...right? The Devils move three points up. IceCaps in fifth. Lots more to come in this huge weekend, hopefully Sly's last.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 8, 2017 11:16:25 GMT -5
Seems Lefebvre can win with Grade A goaltending, but not with average goaltending. Sound familiar?
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Post by The Habitual Fan on Apr 8, 2017 15:49:39 GMT -5
Considering the last game of the year means nothing for the Habs and Lindgren will be returned once Montoya is 100% I would have liked to have seen Danis get called up to play the Wings as a nice gesture for being a good solidier in the organization and let Lindgren help the Caps get into the playoffs.
Also being sentimental it would be nice for Danis to finish his NHL career with the team that he started with long ago.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 9, 2017 9:41:12 GMT -5
Considering the last game of the year means nothing for the Habs and Lindgren will be returned once Montoya is 100% I would have liked to have seen Danis get called up to play the Wings as a nice gesture for being a good solidier in the organization and let Lindgren help the Caps get into the playoffs. Also being sentimental it would be nice for Danis to finish his NHL career with the team that he started with long ago. He is just on an AHL deal, so they would have had to sign him to an NHL deal first. IceCaps won their latest must win game last night, 5-0 against the bottom dwelling Binghamton. Fucale got the shutout, DLR had a goal and an assist. Chris Terry is having a rocking season and is 2nd in league scoring. Today they battle Utica, with whom they are in an essential tie and then finish off next weekend at home against the Marlies. Must win today? Yup, another one. Lindgren and Lernout have been returned to bolster the lineup. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 9, 2017 20:48:44 GMT -5
Well, how about another shutout when they needed it? Lindgren was back in net and the Caps beat Utica in a huge game. Dicier with the only goal and Scherbak with the helper in the 1-0 win. They are now up three points on Utica with two to play, and Utica has three. One baby step closer to an elusive playoff spot.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 1:10:56 GMT -5
I'm almost, almost as pumped for this team to make the post-season as the big club, seems like decades since they've qualified.
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