Kevin Clark, IceCaps move in right direction with 4-2 win over Marlies

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Kevin Clark and the St. John's IceCaps took a small step in the right direction on Sunday.

Clark scored twice and St. John's snapped a seven-game home losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Toronto Marlies in American Hockey League play.

"It's crucial," said IceCaps head coach Keith McCambridge. "We cracked a losing streak at home, obviously our fans are our biggest supporters and to get a win for them is nice. At the same time, we're a long way from where we need to be.

"This is a step in the right direction."

Despite the win, St. John's is still in last place in the AHL's Eastern Conference. Toronto remains No. 1 in the Western Conference.

Eric O'Dell and Jason Jaffray also scored for the IceCaps (16-20-2), while Ray Sawada added two assists.

Paul Ranger and Ryan Hamilton supplied the offence for the Marlies (22-11-3).

Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins said St. John's came out with more fire than Saturday night when Toronto topped the IceCaps 6-2.

"Tonight they were just harder on the body, they were winning more battles for the puck, they were sacrificing themselves, and you could really hear them communicating on the ice," said Eakins. "Last night it seemed like a silent team once we got the lead."

McCambridge said St. John's needs to develop consistency to turn its season around.

"I thought overall, some really good things against a top-notch team in Toronto. We realize where we are as a group right now and we need that same kind of performance every single night. I'm happy that the guys realized what it takes here to win hockey games at this time of year."

The Marlies tied the game 2-2 on a penalty shot from Hamilton, who scored for Toronto at the 17:02 mark of the second.

Eakins said the penalty shot on a power play was deserved, although it is uncommon.

"It was close to going in and a guy grabs it with his hand in the crease, it doesn't matter if it's five-on-five or if you're killing a penalty, it's going to the middle of the ice for a penalty shot," said Eakins.

Clark responded with the winner at 10:26 in the third, and added an empty-net goal in the final minute of play.

Rynnas finished with 32 saves and Eddie Pasquale had 21 saves.

St. John's was 1 for 4 on the power play and Toronto was 1 for 6.