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Smiling Jack on the IceCaps – Report #30 PLAYOFFS

Posted: April 30, 2012

The St. John's IceCaps have taken the first step on the Calder Cup trail. The IceCaps took both games from the Syracuse Crunch in games played at Mile One Centre during the past week.

On Wednesday April 25^th the IceCaps scored a 5 – 1 victory, playing what can only be called a perfect playoff game.

Eddie Pasquale made 40 saves for the IceCaps. Patrice Cormier, Moncton NB opened the scoring and Derek Meech scored the eventual game winning goal late in the first period. Brock Trotter, who was a presence whenever he was on the ice, scored his first goal as an IceCap in the second period.

On Thursday April 26^th, in a thrilling playoff game the IceCaps scored a 4- 3 overtime victory.

Raymond Sawada tied the game early in the third period and Derek Meech scored the game winning and series clinching goal at 5:01 of overtime on a cross ice pass from Brock Trotter.

After the game Meech said of his goal “It was just a matter of getting a good shot on net. Corms (Patrice Cormier) set a great screen in front and it made it a lot easier for me." Meech went on to say “We have a ton of character in that room and obviously we showed it tonight. At no point tonight did we panic.”

The Syracuse Crunch was a good test for the IceCaps and played them tough. The competition will continue to be a challenge. The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins defeated the Hersey Bears to earn the right to face the IceCaps in the second round.

Colin McDonald led the Penguins as he scored 4 goals in the series.

Penguins have an Atlantic Provinces connection - three players who distinguished themselves in the Hersey series: Alex Grant Antigonish NS had a goal and 3 assists, Zack Sill Truro NS had 2 goals and Geoff Walker, Charlottetown PEI had a goal and assist. The Penguins have had 3 players returned by the Pittsburgh Penguins which will add to their depth.

The Penguins will be tough, but the IceCaps should prevail. The IceCaps have demonstrated great character all year and with Derek Meech, Brock Trotter and Raymond Sawada playing key roles they now are deeper and have a veteran and tough presence. I am impressed by all three.

Meech just might be the best defenceman in the AHL and as Coach McCambridge told me during our recent interview, Brock Trotter adds an offensive dimension. As I commented when I first saw him play, Raymond Sawada is a force whenever he is on the ice.

LET'S GO ICECAPS!!!

Schedule:
Game 1 - Tuesday, May 1 @ St. John's
Game 2 - Wednesday, May 2 @ at St. John's
Game 3 - Saturday, May 5 @ Wilkes-Barre Scranton
Game 4 - Sunday, May 6 @ Wilkes-Barre Scranton
Game 5 - Tuesday, May 8 @ Wilkes-Barre Scranton*
Game 6 - Friday, May 11 @ St. John's*
Game 7 - Saturday, May 12 @ St. John's*
* if necessary
.

Be sure to check out Smiling Jack’s previous IceCaps posts.
Report #1 (10/03/11), Report #2 (10/10/11), Report #3 (10/17/11), Report #4 (10/24/11), Report #5 (10/31/11), Report #6 (11/07/11), Report #7 (11/14/11), Report #8 (11/21/11), Report #9 (11/28/11), Report #10 (12/7/11), Report #11 (12/12/11), Report #12 (12/19/11), Report #13 (01/02/12), Report #14 (01/09/12), Report #15 (01/16/12), Report #16 (01/23/12),Report #17 (01/30/12),Report #18 (02/06/12),Report #19 (02/13/12),Report #20 (02/20/12),Report #21 (02/27/12), Report #22 (03/05/12), Report #23 (03/12/12), Report #24 (03/17/12), Report #25 (03/24/12), Report #26 (04/02/12),Pre-Playoff Podcast (Audio) (04/06/12), Report #27 (04/09/12), Report #28 (04/16/12), Report #29 (04/23/12)