After two long games without a goal, shutout against Red Deer 5-0 last Tuesday and then 4-0 to kick-off the U.S. Divisional leg of the road trip in Tri-City Friday, the Ice took their frustrations out on who many consider to be the top contender for the Canada's World Junior goaltender in Buffalo in a month, Calvin Pickard, by dumping the T-Birds 6-2 in Seattle.
Matt Coxford of the Daily Townsman has the recap here while the highlites, including a nice goal by 15-year-old call-up Sam Reinhart, are here.
I had reported earlier that the game was Reinhart's third due to a roster error on the WHL site that had the 15-year-old, who just turned 15 on November 6, playing in a game in Calgary but in fact it was only his second WHL game, and, of course, his second WHL goal. Two for two.
The younger Reinhart can only play in five games this season until his BC Major Midget team, the Northwest Giants, are out of their playoffs, then Sam could play full-time. That isn't likely to happen as Sam and the Giants are in first place in that league with Sam as the loop's second leading scorer with 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 16 games.
In the Seattle game Kevin King had a goal and two assists while Steele Boomer notched two goals from the same spot to give the club three power play goals, something the club hasn't done all season long. The three PP goals give the club a grande total of 19 on the season and ranks them 20th out of 22 teams in the WHL. The road trip hasn't been as kind to the elder Reinhart, Max, who is scoreless on the trip and is a combined -3 for the trip. Forward Adam Rossignol was a healthy scratch Saturday while D Hayden Rintoul (knee) and F Erik Benoit (knee) did not make the trip.
On the trade front nothing really new in the rumour department other than I'm hearing out of Brandon that Brayden Schenn could be shipped back this week after he is returned to the LA Kings from their AHL affiliate conditioning stint Tuesday. Schenn has one more NHL game to play in before his contract kicks in for the full-year regardless of where he plays. He cannot return to the AHL as he is too young - CHL drafted players must be 20 to play full-time in the minors, they can play in the NHL at 18 but otherwise must be returned to their junior clubs. On the LA Kings broadcast over the weekend the commentators were saying that Schenn's return to Brandon was all but done.
That heats up the other race which is the Ice one to acquire an impact forward. FYI - Swift Current's Cody Eakin - likely another name in the rumour mill on Jeff Chynoweth's early X-mas wish list - has seven PP goals so far this season.
Kootenay sits at 17-7-0-2; with 36 points and in third in the Eastern Conference, one back of Saskatoon and three back of the Red Deer Rebels.
Swift Current is 15-14-0-0 with 30 points while Brandon is further back at 11-14-0-1 and a better target to try and pry an impact player out of. The clock is ticking if anything is going to happen pre-World Juniors because both targets - Eakin and Schenn - if he's returned - are going to be locks for the WJC when the invite list comes down later today. D Brayden McNabb, who I'm also told already has his Team Canada-logoed skates, is expected to be on the invite list.
After watching the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Seattle Seabags on Sunday live at Quest Field, the Ice, along with the younger Reinhart, are in Everett Tuesday and Portland Wednesday. Both games are, as always, are live on the Drive FM here.
13 comments:
I could see bringing up Sam R if you are short of players but it makes no sense to me to scratch a healthy player to do so. IMO all the players have worked hard to get the team where it is in the standings. What a way to build player morale!
I completely agree! Not only are they sitting a healthy player who worked hard to make the team, but demoting other players to lower lines so Sam R can play with second line players... a sign of things to come next year?... not good for player morale at all.
every single team in the entire league does this with their elite 15 year old players.
The Ice have done it many many times so get over your selves already. what a bunch of whiners.
good for sam to get the call up how about?
Give your future elite players a bit of WHL experience and sit some players who may be beat up or just needing a break. what's wrong with that? It aint even December yet people, relax and enjoy the ride.
I agree, they should be using the US trip for team building not dividing it.
I agree with anonymous, to call him up for games is one thing, but to put him ahead of half the team... that's disrespectful.
OMG. They sat out Montegomery to play S. Reinhart. Who's turn tonight? Must be doing wonders for confidence and morale.
montgomery hurt his foot dum ass. look before you whne. Im sure all the anon posters are the same guy trying to get a point across, I never seen such pointless crying in my life.
Where were you fools when Negrin got his call ups. How about Maxwell, Sylvester, and Lieuwen? never seen one person cry about any of them.
This is a developement league for developing what?? Players in your system! Get a grip anonymous posters.
I don't think it's the fact that they are calling up a prospect, obviously it is done all the time. It is the who, the when, and the why???
Brian, you are the dummmm ass. Montegomery's foot is not hurt...Maybe the bottom six forwards need developing, Reinhart will develop fine in midget.
From Hollicks Blog:
ICE Scratches – Hayden Rintoul (3rd game knee 1-2 weeks), Eric Benoit (8th game 1 week), Brock Montgomery (1st game foot day-to-day).
so there is in fact two forward scratches so Brian was right. "dumb ass"
sorry bout the name calling
Rossignol sits two, great for his development...Trust me, Montmomery's foot was ok. Brian you are still the, well you know.
haha whatever man. At least we can agree the guys are playin awesome and have big potential.
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