ST. JOHN’S – The St. John’s IceCaps are seeing first-hand the trickling effects of injuries in Montréal and the subsequent NHL call-ups that follow. The IceCaps continue to be without top scorers Sven Andrighetto, Daniel Carr, and Charles Hudon as well as goaltender Dustin Tokarski who are still on assignment with the Canadiens. Bud Holloway, Christian Thomas, and Zach Fucale have also had various assignments and reassignments between the two clubs.

St. John’s completed their six-game road trip on December 5th with a 3-1-1-1 record before returning home to face the Rochester Americans (BUF) for a two-game set this past weekend. The club suffered just their first regulation home loss of the season at Mile One Centre on Friday night before falling to the Americans in overtime Saturday night.

In their last five games, dating back to December 2nd, the IceCaps are 1-2-1-1 and have been out scored 13-7 during that span. However, the IceCaps have suffered just four regulation losses since November 1st.

“We’re good when we play down low in the offensive zone when we fore-check,” team Captain Gabriel Dumont said after Saturday night’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Americans.

“We create a lot off of pick-and-roll plays and we have quick forwards that are quick and strong on the puck, but we’re trying to be a little too fancy in the neutral zone instead of just playing our strengths.”

“You play at home, you have the lead both games in the third, and you don’t come up with a win. There’s no excuse; you have to play and win the game.”

Dumont, 25, has points in three straight and eleven points in his past eleven games played. A leader on and off the ice, Dumont has been one of the IceCaps hottest players of late, and one of the best two-way players all season.

“I’m just trying to play my game; points don’t really bother me,” Dumont said.

“I just try to bring my energy, my defensive-play, and be really good on the penalty kill. As of late the puck has just been going in a little more than it was at the beginning of the year.”

Dumont and the IceCaps hold the number eight penalty-kill in the league at 85.5%.

Dumont was reunited on a line with Jacob de la Rose this weekend as he returned from injury Friday night after missing ten games due to injury. Michael Bournival also returned to the lineup and played his first AHL game since March 13th as he returned from concussion-like symptoms. De la Rose collected the lone IceCaps goal on Friday and picked up an assist Saturday night.

Since his recall from the Canadiens and IceCaps ECHL affiliate Brampton Beast, goaltender Eddie Pasquale has been outstanding for St. John’s. The 25 year-old Toronto-native has recorded a 3-0-1 record in his last four starts with a 2.21 GAA and a .935sv%.

“He’s a great goalie,” Dumont said. “A few years ago when I played against him he was one of the best in the league; and he still is.”

Bud Holloway continues to lead the IceCaps in scoring with a point per game pace through twenty-four contests. However both Holloway and rookie Michael McCarron have been on dry spells for the month of December.