ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Cameron Talbot made 37 saves as the Connecticut Whale defeated the St. John's IceCaps 4-1 in American Hockey League action Saturday.
Kelsey Tessier, Michael Haley and Mike Vernace each scored in the first period for Connecticut (21-21-6), while Christian Thomas scored into an empty net.
Carl Klingberg replied for the IceCaps (21-25-3), while Eddie Pasquale stopped 16 shots.
The Whale scored three goals on their first five shots, with Tessier scoring Connecticut's first goal at 5:07.
Some poor defensive play from the IceCaps led to the team scrambling in their zone. Thomas passed a bouncing puck through a defender's legs and Tessier buried it.
Haley scored the second goal of the game at 6:32 off another Thomas assist after he was found unmarked in the slot.
St. John's got on the scoreboard to pull within one goal of Connecticut on a Klingberg goal at 9:41 after he tipped a puck past Talbot.
The Whale ended the period with their third goal at 12:30 when Vernace parked himself on the back post and finished off a beautiful cross-crease pass.
After a scoreless second with few opportunities for either team, the IceCaps outshot the Whale 16-8 in the third but couldn't beat Talbot.
An empty net goal by Thomas sealed the game at 17:46.
