(stjohnsicecaps.com) — Kael Mouillierat scored the only goal of the game and Michael Hutchinson stopped 24 shots to earn the shutout as the St. John’s IceCaps blanked the Albany Devils, 1-0, in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series on Wednesday night at Mile One Centre.
With the win, the IceCaps take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.
Keith Kinkaid turned aside 34 of 35 shots in a losing effort for Albany.
The IceCaps scored the game’s only goal with 2:10 remaining the first period, when Mouillierat notched his first of the playoffs. Sprung on a breakaway by Zach Redmond, Mouillierat deked Kinkaid before flipping it over the pad to make it 1-0.
After a scoreless second period, Hutchinson robbed Reid Boucher point-blank with just over six minutes left in the final frame to keep the IceCaps’ lead at one.
Then, with Kinkaid pulled in the final minute of the game for the extra attacker, the IceCaps finished strong to earn the victory and pull within a win of closing out the series.
Game 4 is set for Friday evening in St. John’s.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Series “D” (best-of-5)
4-St. John’s IceCaps vs. 5-Albany Devils
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 25 – St. John’s 2, ALBANY 1
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 26 – ALBANY 4, St. John’s 2
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 30 – ST. JOHN’S 1, Albany 0
Game 4 – Fri., May 2 – Albany at St. John’s, 6:00
*Game 5 – Sat., May 3 – Albany at St. John’s, 6:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
