IceCats ace Aces: Hat-trick by York carries 'Cats to third straight win

by Andrew Marsella - Associate Editor

The Worcester IceCats iced their third straight victory last Friday night (the 29th), stomping on the Cornwall Aces by a score of 4-2. The win brought the IceCats' overall record to 31-29-12 (with three overtime losses-worth a point each), good for 77 points and second place in the Northern Division. The Aces, who are affiliated with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, played their first game of the season against a Northern Division opponent. The game also marked the return of former IceCat Denis Chalifoux to Centrum ice. Chalifoux, who led the 'Cats in scoring last season with 21 goals and 32 assists in 53 games, leads the Aces this year as well, with 18 goals and 43 assists in 65 games.

The IceCats dominated a majority of the game on Friday, and were sparked offensively by a hat-trick from newcomer Harry York. In only 5 games with Worcester, York has scored 4 goals and added an assist to the IceCats' attack. His obvious ability to play at this level has come as a pleasant surprise to the IceCats, who have recently lacked offensively, due to a greatly depleted roster. Defenseman Ken Sutton also played well for the 'Cats, notching three assists, and Goalie Jamie McLennan made 27 saves to earn his 10th victory as an IceCat. Defenseman Jason Widmer also scored for the 'Cats, adding his 4th goal of the season on the power play at 9:54 of the 1st period.

The 'Cats three wins in a row comes after a season high five-game losing streak, effectively halting Worcester's slide in the standings and putting them in a good position for home-ice advantage in the Calder Cup playoffs. Don't miss the IceCats when they return to Centrum ice on April 10th to face off against the Adirondack Redwings, and again on Friday April 12th versus the Springfield Falcons. The Springfield game is "College Night with the Worcester IceCats"; tickets can be purchased in advance from the Student Activities office for only $5or by calling Tim Cutler at the IceCats office: 798-5400!

Newspeak Staff Photo / Ed Cameron
IceCats' right wing Sergei Kharin leads an attack onto the Aces' ice. The IceCats came away with a victory, putting them in second place in the Northern Division.

Newspeak Staff Photo / Ed Cameron
IceCat Lindsay Vallis' shot is blocked by Aces' goalie Jean-Francois Labbe. However, four IceCats shots would get by the Aces' goalie.

Newspeak Staff Photo / Ed Cameron
A shot gets past IceCat goalie Jamie McLennan and into the net for one of the Aces' two goals. McLennan earned his 20th victory as an IceCat by making 27 saves.