spring, I feel like I got ahead of myself sometimes, but I fee

ST. JOHNS, N.L. -- Eric ODell is hitting his stride at the right time for the St. Johns IceCaps. ODell scored his sixth goal in four games to help St. Johns beat the Admirals 5-2 on Friday and eliminate Norfolk from the American Hockey League playoffs. "Ive been finding the back of the net," ODell said. "It just feels like the puck is finding my stick and Ive been able to put it in. Give credit to my linemates for finding me and getting the puck on the net and Ive been lucky to get them in the back of the net. My confidence is really high." IceCaps head coach Keith McCambridge has recognized ODells contributions to the team, naming him alternate captain while regular captain Jason Jaffray was out for Game 6 of the series against the Admirals. "We feel hes a leader," said McCambridge. "Hes been here three years and that theres leadership qualities there and thats why he had the opportunity to wear an A." Jerome Samson, Kyle MacKinnon, Andrew Gordon and Ben Chiarot also scored for the IceCaps. McCambridge believes the key to the victory was St. Johns depth on all four forward lines. "By the third period, the ability to roll four lines really kicked in," he said. "Through this whole series weve talked about trying to utilize our depth and our four lines and I felt that third period was a direct result of that." Andre Petersson and Steve Eminger replied for the Admirals. The IceCaps took the lead 5:29 into the game when Adam Lowry shot on net and Samson fired home the rebound from the slot into a practically empty net. Petersson tied the game for Norfolk when he buried a strong wrist shot off the crossbar and in at the 7:13 mark of the first period on the power play. IceCaps goalie Michael Hutchinson saved a breakaway 9:45 into the first period to keep the game tied, and then 45 seconds later bailed out St. Johns on another breakaway. ODell found a loose puck off a rebound when skating to the right side of the net and scored on a quick wrister for the IceCaps with 9:39 left in the second period. The Admirals capitalized when Chris Wagner fanned on a shot which ended up trickling across the slot to an incoming Eminger, who scored an easy tap-in at the right post at the 14:22 mark of the second period. St. Johns took back the lead when MacKinnon knocked in a loose puck in the crease after defencemen Brenden Kichton carried it to the net from the point at the 17:03 mark of the second period. The IceCaps ran rampant to start the third, as Gordon caught the Admirals napping 3:27 into the period, scoring on a heads-up play with a quick wrist shot from along the goal-line to beat an out-of-position Brad Thiessen. St. Johns added another 41 seconds later when Chiarot found a hole in traffic and the goalie to score a well-placed wrist shot from the side boards. Hutchinson stopped 26 for the IceCaps, while Admirals goalie Brad Thiessen saved 34. The IceCaps now get a week of rest before finding out who their playoff opponent will be (either the Providence Bruins and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins). The time off, McCambridge said, will prove beneficial for injured players, like captain Jaffary. "Knock on wood, we need to try and stay as healthy as possible," said McCambridge. "This week of rest is something we will try to utilize." ODell said the IceCaps will savour the series win, but are looking forward to the road ahead. "Everyone is happy in (the room), all smiles, but were going to enjoy this series win and then tomorrow we go back to work." Wil Myers Jersey .com) - The Ottawa Senators will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive when they face the Chicago Blackhawks who are trying to secure their place in the post-season. San Diego Padres Jerseys . 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A top pitching prospect, one who the ball club is pinning some of its future hopes, takes the spot of a veteran who once was viewed as a future ace but who, to this point, hasnt realized his potential and may never. Stroman threw his first major league pitch on Sunday, facing four Pirates hitters in the eighth inning of a 7-2 win less than 48 hours after Morrow may have thrown his last pitch for Toronto. That is if Morrow requires season-ending surgery on a torn tendon sheath at the base of his right index finger. Stromans just beginning. Morrow is in the final guaranteed year of his contract and if, for a second consecutive year, his season has ended shortly after it started, its hard to believe the cash-conscious Blue Jays would pick up the $10-million club option it holds on Morrow for 2015. The 23-year-old Stroman, whos started at the Double-A and Triple-A levels dating back to last season, will begin his big league career in the bullpen. Its an area in which Toronto needs help. Since the second game of an April 17 doubleheader in Minnesota, Blue Jays relievers have combined to allow 40 earned runs on 55 hits and 33 walks in 48 1/3 innings pitched. The bullpen has blown saves in six of the last 15 games. It was a strange scene for Stroman. He arrived at the PNC Park and almost immediately was whisked into manager John Gibbons office, where the skipper had called a meeting with his struggling relief corps. The rookie was saying all the right things."I honestly think we have one of the best bullpens in baseball between guys like Sergio (Santos), Casey (Janssen), (Brett) Cecil, everyone thats in the pen dominates," said Stroman. "Its just a rough patch theyre going through but I have no doubt in my mind that theyll get through it and get back to where they were last year."Stroman is coming off his most dominant start of his professional career. On Tuesday in Buffalo, pitchiing against Louisville, he struck out 10 Bats hitters and didnt allow a hit over six innings.dddddddddddd During one stretch, Stroman retired 16-straight. In five starts for the Bisons, Stroman has two wins, a 1.69 ERA, a 1.088 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. The WHIP is even more impressive when you consider Stroman has allowed almost a hit per inning. Hes walked only six, a welcome walks per nine inning percentage for a staff whose 124 bases on balls is second most in the majors. "Fastball command has definitely been a lot better; Ive been keeping the ball down in the zone much better," said Stroman. "The development of my change has been huge and I just feel more comfortable, more settled in. That was my first big-league spring, I feel like I got ahead of myself sometimes, but I feel real comfortable, I feel like Im ready to go out there and pitch well." Stroman found out about his big league call up in an unusual way. The Bisons played an afternoon game on Saturday, which gave Stroman an opportunity to venture with his girlfriend to Niagara Falls for the evening. He thinks he missed a call from Blue Jays farm director Charlie Wilson and when he did check his phone, the first message he picked up was a congratulatory one from his mother. "Shes been saying for a little bit, Oh, Ive got a feeling," said Stroman. "Im like, Mom, relax." Stroman didnt sleep on Saturday night, he was excited, and he was out of bed by five oclock on Sunday morning to meet the car service driving him from Buffalo to Pittsburgh. "No sleep," he said. "But I feel wide awake." Stromans addition to the starting rotation seems like an eventuality but hes not going to dwell on his role. "Im just happy to be here," said Stroman. "Ive had experience in the bullpen, Im not worried about it, I feel like I can come in, thats something Ive done before in the past and thats something Im comfortable with, so its not like its completely new." ' ' '