IceCats' win streak continues, as do transactions (Good Luck Fichaud!)

by Andrew Marsella - Associate Editor

At long last, the winter drought seems to be over, and the Worcester IceCats are back to their winning ways. After beating the Providence Bruins soundly at home a week ago Saturday (the 27th), the 'Cats started what might be their most successful road trip yet. The first stop was down in Providence against the Baby-B's again, where Worcester won for the first time in team history, carried by strong performances from forward Freddie Knipscheer and goalie Mike Buzak, as well as new-comer Sergei Kharin. Kharin, a veteran forward for many years in the IHL, was acquired by the IceCats from Dayton of the East Coast Hockey League, in an effort to add some offensive depth and experience in the midst of all the recent call-ups to NHL affiliates New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues. He scored arguably the most important goal of his IceCat career in the game-winner against the Bruins in Providence, ending Worcester's 10-game losing streak versus the B's at home.

The move to sign Kharin was prompted by a number of significant depletions to the IceCats' roster due to NHL call-ups, most importantly the loss of goalie sensation Eric Fichaud to the Islanders on Tuesday (the 30th). Fichaud played in the Islanders vs. the Buffalo Sabres game that night and made 26 saves to earn his first NHL win in overtime.

Although no one was too worried about the goaltending situation in Worcester, since Buzak has been playing phenomenally, the Islanders sent goalie Jamie McLennan from Utah in the IHL to fill the slot in the IceCats roster. McLennan, who played for the Islanders in the shortened '94-95 season as well as early in this season, arrived on Thursday (the 1st), and was in net on Friday night (the 2nd) in Nova Scotia, earning his first IceCats win with a 3-1 victory over the Cape Breton Oilers. McLennan made 30 saves and allowed only one goal (a disputed one at that) to start off the 'Cats Maritime road trip on the right foot. Once again, Sergei Kharin played well adding, two goals and as assist to boost the 'Cats to their second straight road win. With a little luck, this momentum will carry over through the rest of the 'Cats trip in the Maritimes, where Worcester usually does extremely well, anyway.

Also involved in the recent call-ups, Patrice Tardif was sent up to St. Louis, along with defenseman/forward Terry Virtue. Virtue, who has been playing extremely well for the 'Cats all season, is the first "home-grown" IceCat (unsigned to either affiliate) to be called up to the NHL.

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