Worcester controlled the game against the Redwings almost entirely, notching a 2-0 lead in the first half of the game off of goals by Lindsay Vallis and Fred Knipscheer. Adirondack, who were also fighting for second place in their division and home-ice advantage, tried to come back, scoring a power-play goal mid-way through the second period to bring the score to 2-1. The 'Cats shut them down the rest of the way, though, and solidified the win with two empty-net goals in the last 1:06 of the third period when Redwing goalie Norm Maracle was pulled in favor of an extra attacker. The two empty-netters in the same game were a first for the 'Cats, and were scored (rather casually) by NHL veteran Paul Broten and Craig Darby.
After the game, IceCats head coach Jim Roberts praised his team for their hard work and dedication all season long.
"Second place in the division was a hell of an accomplishment for this year, considering all the player transactions the team has been through" (at last count ~108). "The team had to regroup several times this season."
On the spectacular play of goalie Jamie McLennan, who stopped 39 of 40 Adirondack shots and has been on a hot streak for the past few weeks, Roberts commented, "he was the medicine we needed!" With the victory, McLennan's record improved to 13-6-1, tying Eric Fichaud for the most wins in a season by an IceCats goalie.
While the coach credited the players, and McLennan in particular, for the 'Cats success, the attitude of the team was that they couldn't of done it without him [Roberts].
"Jimmy really motivated everyone to go out and play every night," added McLennan, "from here we're going to have to rely on the [NHL] experience that's in the locker room [to succeed in the post-season]. Guys like Darby, Broten, Sutton, Fichaud and myself."
Several players from the Islanders, most likely Fichaud, Jarrett Deuling, Derek Armstrong, and newcomer Ken Belanger, are expected to be sent down on Monday to rejoin the 'Cats in time for the playoffs.
According to the coach the next goal for the team was to hold onto their 4th place overall ranking in the AHL through the last few games of the season.
Unfortunately, the 'Cats didn't get off to a good start achieving this goal as they dropped a tough game against the first-place Springfield Falcons on Friday night (the 12th), losing 4-2. Alex Vasilevskii scored first for the 'Cats, tying the game 1-1 early in the second, and former BU forward Bob Lachance scored his first professional goal to tie it 2-2 in the third. A series of bad penalties and "iffy" calls, however, gave Springfield the edge it needed to score two more goals, sealing the Falcons victory. This game was also College Night with the IceCats, with groups from six Worcester-area colleges in the crowd. WPI's own a capela group, Simple Harmonic Motion sang the National Anthem, opening up a truly gritty game. If these two teams meet in the second round of the playoffs, there will most likely be significant bloodshed.
Worcester bounced back the next night, traveling up to Adirondack, New York for their second game against the Redwings and coming away with a 3-1 win. Goalie Mike Buzak, whose specialty seems to be road games, played a great game, allowing only one goal on 30 shots to the struggling 'Wings. Knipscheer, Craig Darby, and Chris Kenady scored for the 'Cats, improving Worcester's overall record to 35-32-12. The 'Cats play their final regular season game at the Centrum tonight (the 16th) against potential first-round opponents, the Portland Pirates. Be sure to catch the conclusion of the IceCats incredible second season, and get ready for the teams first-ever trip into the playoffs!!