Michael Haley scored two goals in the first 4:03 of the game as the Connecticut Whale handed the St. John' IceCaps a fourth straight loss at home Sunday, defeaing the IceCaps 7-3 in American Hockey League action at Mile One Centre
The IceCaps (21-26-3) remains in 13th place in the AHL's Eastern Conference, but now are five points back of the Worcester Sharks, who hold eighth place and the final playoff spot with 49 points.
The Whale also have 49 points but have played three more games than the Sharks.
St. John's captain Jason Jaffray had two goals, while Kevin Clark had the other for the home side. IceCaps centre Aaron Gagnon, playing for the first time in more than five weeks, had two assists, as did rookie defenceman Will O'Neill.
Whale captain and former St. John's Maple Leaf Kris Newbury had a goal and two assists for Connecticut (22-21-6), while Andrew Yogan, Nick Palmieri, Jyri Niemi and Kyle Jean also scored for the Hartford-based Whale, the farm team of the New York Rangers.
Cameron Talbot made 25 saves to get his second win in as many days for Connecticut, which had defeated St. John's 4-1 Saturday.
Mark Dekanich began between the pipes for St. John's Sunday, his first start since early January, but was given the hook after allowing Haley's two goals on the first five shots he faced. Eddie Pasquale gave up five goals on 20 shots in relef.
The return of Gagnon, who had been out with a knee injury, created a surplus of veterans under AHL lineup regulations, which was satisfied by making defenceman Richard Petiot a healthy scratch. O'Neill took Petiot's place.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
