The Kootenay Ice improved to 7-2-0-2 on the season with a 4-2 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a rare Monday game last night. Tonight the toughest test of the season is up with the club in Medicine Hat to face the Tigers.
The Tigers are 7-3-0-0 on the season, two points back of the Ice who have played one more game.
Jaedon Deschaneau scored his first WHL goal off a feed from Joe Antilla while Jagger Dirk, Adam Rossignol and Max Reinhart rounded out the scoring.
The loss was Lethbridge's 9th straight coming of a major shake-up that saw the club move D-man Derek Ryckman, 19, to the Tri-City Americans 2012 4th rounder; G Brandon Anderson, 19, along with a 3rd and a 6th round pick from 2012 to the Brandon Wheat Kings for G Liam Liston, 18 and D Spencer Galbraith. The Canes then shipped D Reid Jackson, 18, and a 5th round pick from 2012 to the Prince George Cougars for F Nick Buonassisi.
Nathan Lieuwen went the distance stopping 27 of 29 shots, improving his record on the season to 5-1-0-2; 1.35 GAA and .949 save percentage, the latter two which lead the WHL.
Reinhart finished with a goal and two helpers to reach 13 points (5g, 8a) in nine games and crack the top 20 in WHL scoring.
Luke Paulsen left the game with an undisclosed injury and his status is questionable for tonight while forward Dylen McKinlay was a game-time decision with his leg injury and should play tonight.
Jeff Hubic, who should draw in tonight, Brendan Hurley (knee - one month) and McKinlay were the scratches.
Tonight and indeed the next five games will present the early season litmus test for the Ice, who hold top spot in terms of points, 16, in the WHL. The Tigers Tuesday, then home against the Warriors this Saturday before heading to Calgary Sunday. The club then starts a long homestand with the Portland Winterhawks returning to the scene of the crime they referred to as the Kootenay's WHL championship last May.
Broadcast is tonight at 7PM (102.9 - the Drive)
5 comments:
Pretty randon thoughts here but has there ever been any talk of puting an actual name on the arena? Nothing sounds more bush league than trying to hype a ig game at the Cranbrook Rec-Plex. Also, what ever happened to the league deadline for installing video jumbo-trons & will we ever get one?
I spoke to WHL Commish Ron Robison about the video clock deadline and he backtracked off the league's earlier stance of 2012 dealine, it's now more of a recommendation. So in a word or two, don't hold your breath. The city would be the ones to ask on the naming rights. I don't know how actively they are seeking a suitor on that issue.
With Paulsen out it will be a real test for the 3 rookie def. Goaltending tonight will once again play a huge factor.
how about putting the title "league" on the championship banner?
I saw in the Townsman a proposal from the City of Cranbrook taking applications for "Naming" Rights for the Plex until November....Mite have a new name sooner than we think!!!
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