photo by Donna Edzards
The game started out well enough when halfway through the first period, Worcester left wing #15 John Carter scored by working the puck loose from under Hershey goalie Neil Little and burying it home. Carter, who has extensive NHL experience with the Brui ns and the San Jose Sharks, leads the IceCats with 17 goals, and has proven to be Worcester's most dangerous power-forward.
The rest of the period resulted in some terrific saves by both goalies, but neither team scored again, and the IceCats returned to the locker room with a 1-0 lead. This was another good sign for the IceCats who have a winning record in games in which the y score first.
Their luck didn't stay with them through the second period, however, and the Hershey Bears didn't let up. Despite some incredible saves by Cowley, including a terrific glove save while in a diving split (don't ever try that at home!), the IceCats defense could not prevent the Bears from scoring two goals. The Worcester offense had a tough time too, getting off only four shots in the entire period, and at the end of the second, the score held at 2-1.
In the third period, the IceCats stepped up the offense and took more shots, but just couldn't find the net. The Hershey defense did a good job of stopping the Icecat's drives at the blue line and ate the clock by icing the puck. This prevented the Cats from building the momentum that they needed to even the score.
Late in the period, the final disappointment came when the IceCats allowed the Bears one too many rebounds, and after two or three quick saves in a row, Cowley just couldn't keep the puck out.
With less than two minutes left in the game, the IceCats attempted to capitalize on a final power play by pulling Cowley and creating a 6 on 4 advantage, but the gamble didn't pay off. The final score of the game held at 3-1 and the IceCats overall recor d fell to 14-30-9.
Goalie Wayne Cowley was recognized as the #2 star of the game, stopping 28 of 31 shots against him and giving his team a chance for a victory. He did his part for sure, and the responsibility for this loss rests on the Icecat's offense, who just couldn't quite connect.
Still and all, it was an exciting game and it was good to see such a strong showing of crowd support (it was the first time I've seen "the wave" in action at the Centrum). With more weekend home games, this franchise could easily be the most successful t eam in the AHL, and might be just what Worcester needs!