The Kootenay Ice halted their three-game slide Friday night in Lethbridge in a 6-3 decsision over the Canes. The last half of the home-and-home goes Saturday night at the Rec Plex.
Some thoughts....
D Mike Simpson, the club's 6th round pick (123rd overall) in 2009 made his WHL debut tonight, called up from the PIJHL's Port Moody Panthers, in place of D Luke Paulsen, who left the game Wednesday as the concussion symptoms returned.
In a game of massive swings in offence the Ice took a 2-0 lead before giving it right back to the Hurricanes and go down 3-2 in the third period and staring at losing four straight and falling to fifth in the conference if they lose. A four goal outburst in the third powered the Ice to the, whew, win. Multiple point nights for Brayden McNabb with a goal and two assist, Reinhart with three helpers and a big night from Hayden Rintoul with his first of the season (yes, first) and the game-winner to rebound from a horrible outing at home against the Wheat Kings in the 5-4 loss Wednesday.
G Nathan Lieuwen got the start and the win, stopping 28 of 31 shots. Call-up Mackenzie Skapski was the back-up as Brett Teskey got the night, and likely the weekend, off. Skapski will start tommorrow at home. A correction to an earler blog note on Lieuwen, his Family Faith night will go following the Feb 5 home game against the Vancouver Giants. Again, lots of cudos to the 19-year-old in organizing the event.
Matt Coxford has a piece at the Townsman here. Of note is the schedule. The last 15 games had the club go 8-7 and play Spokane, Medicine Hat and Red Deer nine times, prior to tonight. Starting Wednesday against the Wheat Kings the Ice play(ed) 8 of their next 9 games against teams with sub-500 records including two games next weekend against the WHL-worst Calgary Hitmen. Given the standings - and it looks to be a two-horse race for the Eastern Conference Crown at this point with the Blades and the Rebels opening up an 8 point lead (11 for the Blades) while the Ice are now in a dogfight with the Tigers and Warriors for third-fifth - those points are key. Kootenay, at 31-16-1-2, sit third, one point up on the Hat and Moose Jaw. With 22 games to play there's still lots to be decided but a fifth-place finish means no home-ice and a first round opponent with likely a .650 record or better. That come-back tonight, yes, it was against the Canes, but could be a key turning point in the recent slide.
Here's something to chew on, if Skapski, who was stellar at the U-17 tourny over Christmas, turns in a strong outing over the Hurricanes at home tomorrow, how much pressure will Brett Teskey - who is in the stands this weekend - feel to step up his level of play? Wednesday wasn't his best outing and in this environment of razor thin standings, points against the lower teams is an absolute must.
F Matt Fraser should return Tuesday against the Hitmen while Boomer, who is chomping at the bit to get back in, won't return for at least a week or two. D-men Luke Paulsen is still a week or two away with concussion symptoms and Joe Leach is recovering from surgery to remove bone chips in his ankle.
Just continuing a thought on the call-ups and the sheer amount of rookies that could be in the line-up next season....
In goal Skapski will in all likelihood get a spot which will mean that Lieuwen isn't kept as a 20-year-old or Teskey is the odd-man out.
On D rookie Tanner Faith and Simpson will get a long look for spots vacated by McNabb (likely to turn pro and not return as a 20) but there could be only one spot available if the club keeps Rintoul and Martin on the backend, which with a younger club - as Kootenay is likely to be next season - an older blueline is helpful.
Up front they'll lose Eakin, King, Boomer, Fraser and likely one of either Antilla or Ismond or both to 20-year-old numbers. Of the prospects available to move into spots - Cable, Sam Reinhart, Luke Philp, Sam Johnson - who is the same age as Cable -and Jaedon Descheneau (24th and 25th in scoring in the Alberta Major Midget League - Philp is second) all could gain a roster spot. That's possibly eight new faces next season and four 16-year-olds.
Okay, okay, enough looking to future as it's now for a club trying to make a push for some hardware but with all the new faces being spotted into the line-up this season it's always fun to look ahead.
NOTE - As pointed out by a poster, both D Jeff Hubic and F Jared Iron - 7th in Sask Midget league scoring - will push for a spot also.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Kootenay's icy patch
As you'll likely have noticed it's been quiet around here lately while the Ice spin out of control and out of first place. All this post-deadline and the acquisition of Cody Eakin and post-euphoric championship thoughts.
Oh, they're still around, those long playoff run hopes. But things are going to get tough down the stretch around Iceland.
First off, I won't bore you as to why my writing, blogging and whatever else has been scarce around here. Suffice to say life gets in the way sometimes.
And no, it wasn't post-outdoor-game-pardum, thought a quiet thanks was put forth when Shaw couldn't get the satelite uplink to work so that the game was shown on TV. Trouble was, they replayed it again later that night, and again Monday. Ouch...
So what's the problem? Is it goaltending, ah, that's always a good place to look. Is it secondary scoring? Sure, Eakin's here but with Boomer and Fraser out, it's a 3 steps forward, two back kind of thing.
Injuries are an easy reason but Eakin is filling in nicely for Boomer at the pivot between King and Ismond but I'm curious as to where you slot Boomer or Eakin once the former returns from the high-ankle sprain. Nonetheless, that's about four weeks off.
Reinforcements are on the way in the form of Levi Cable, who is 9th in Sask Midget league scoring, and MacKenzie Skapski. Cable I get, due to the injuries the 16-year-old forward is expected to push for a spot next season and will get some game experience here and now but Skapski? The 16-year-old goaltender had a great U-17 tournament over the holidays and Knoblauch did say that he didn't know if the young goaltender would get into action this week. Likely more to get Skapski used to the idea of being here. Next season the club will have some tough decisions to make in the nets.
Speaking of the nets, Nathan Lieuwen was on the radio yesterday talking about a meet and greet following Saturday's game at home against Lethbridge where the 19-year-old will meet fans and talk about his faith and it's importance in his life. I don't have a lot of details as of yet but the event has intrigued me in that hockey players generally aren't as open about the topic of faith compared to their football, baseball etc brethren, especially in the U.S. where everything from a championship to their next contract the Big Guy is openly thanked. In hockey it's not nearly prevalent. It's good to see.
Mr. Drinnan (over there, on the right) has blogged about a couple of Kootenay issues of late. One, the attendance. I wondered aloud if the acquisition of Eakin would boost things but so far, not really. Kootenay is down another 5.69% (Source: mib.org) to 2463 a game this season and are currently 19th in the 22-team WHL. All Drinnan commented was that Sunday's game was a big rivalry between two of the league's top teams and drew only 2373.
Secondly, Mr. Drinnan has heard rumblings that the seven-team BC Intercollegiate league could expand by two more teams next season. One from Eastern Washington University in Cheney and another from the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook. Could COTR be the next tennant in the refurbished Memorial Arena?
At least the schedule-maker helped Kootenay out in the slump department. Up next is the Wheat Kings and Hurricanes, with a home and home with Lethbridge Friday, Saturday. Both teams are scrapping for the final playoff spot and as such will be motivated.
Thoughts?
Again, the posting will be spotty due to work and the Peewee team so bear with me.
Oh, they're still around, those long playoff run hopes. But things are going to get tough down the stretch around Iceland.
First off, I won't bore you as to why my writing, blogging and whatever else has been scarce around here. Suffice to say life gets in the way sometimes.
And no, it wasn't post-outdoor-game-pardum, thought a quiet thanks was put forth when Shaw couldn't get the satelite uplink to work so that the game was shown on TV. Trouble was, they replayed it again later that night, and again Monday. Ouch...
So what's the problem? Is it goaltending, ah, that's always a good place to look. Is it secondary scoring? Sure, Eakin's here but with Boomer and Fraser out, it's a 3 steps forward, two back kind of thing.
Injuries are an easy reason but Eakin is filling in nicely for Boomer at the pivot between King and Ismond but I'm curious as to where you slot Boomer or Eakin once the former returns from the high-ankle sprain. Nonetheless, that's about four weeks off.
Reinforcements are on the way in the form of Levi Cable, who is 9th in Sask Midget league scoring, and MacKenzie Skapski. Cable I get, due to the injuries the 16-year-old forward is expected to push for a spot next season and will get some game experience here and now but Skapski? The 16-year-old goaltender had a great U-17 tournament over the holidays and Knoblauch did say that he didn't know if the young goaltender would get into action this week. Likely more to get Skapski used to the idea of being here. Next season the club will have some tough decisions to make in the nets.
Speaking of the nets, Nathan Lieuwen was on the radio yesterday talking about a meet and greet following Saturday's game at home against Lethbridge where the 19-year-old will meet fans and talk about his faith and it's importance in his life. I don't have a lot of details as of yet but the event has intrigued me in that hockey players generally aren't as open about the topic of faith compared to their football, baseball etc brethren, especially in the U.S. where everything from a championship to their next contract the Big Guy is openly thanked. In hockey it's not nearly prevalent. It's good to see.
Mr. Drinnan (over there, on the right) has blogged about a couple of Kootenay issues of late. One, the attendance. I wondered aloud if the acquisition of Eakin would boost things but so far, not really. Kootenay is down another 5.69% (Source: mib.org) to 2463 a game this season and are currently 19th in the 22-team WHL. All Drinnan commented was that Sunday's game was a big rivalry between two of the league's top teams and drew only 2373.
Secondly, Mr. Drinnan has heard rumblings that the seven-team BC Intercollegiate league could expand by two more teams next season. One from Eastern Washington University in Cheney and another from the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook. Could COTR be the next tennant in the refurbished Memorial Arena?
At least the schedule-maker helped Kootenay out in the slump department. Up next is the Wheat Kings and Hurricanes, with a home and home with Lethbridge Friday, Saturday. Both teams are scrapping for the final playoff spot and as such will be motivated.
Thoughts?
Again, the posting will be spotty due to work and the Peewee team so bear with me.
Ice slide out of first place
For HockeyNow...
Slumping Ice slip out of first place
by Jeff Bromley
Adversity, thy name is Kootenay and it’s coming from all angles.
The Kootenay Ice dropped their second straight and third in their last four outings Sunday night in a 6-4 loss to the Red Deer Rebels at the Cranbrook Rec Plex. The loss dropped the Ice to a 30-15-1-2 record on the season as their Central Division rivals blew past them for first place and now sit six points up on the Ice in the race for playoff position in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
“If you take eight penalties in a game, you’re going to shoot yourself in the foot,” said newly acquired Ice forward Cody Eakin. “That’s exactly what we did and the score showed it.”
Up 2-1 over the Rebels into the second period Sunday night the Ice got into penalty trouble late in the second and into the third period and took seven of the eight minors handed out by referees Trevor Hanson and Jeff Ingram through the 18 minutes, including two, too-many-men infractions. Before they knew what happened the Rebels struck for five goals including an empty-netter as Red Deer’s two imports – John Persson with a hat-trick and Andrej Kurdrna with a five point night – did most of the damage in the 6-4 win. “The biggest two penalties I was disappointed with was the two, too-many-men penalites,” said Ice head coach Kris Knoblauch. “It cost us one goal at least and it just shows we weren’t prepared. That was the difference in the game.”
On the ice the loss was Kootenay’s third in four outings, starting with the 11-2 embarrassment in Spokane January 15 in the WHL’s first-ever outdoor game. Kootenay edged the Edmonton Oil Kings at the end of a long road trip Tuesday night at the Rec Plex 4-3 but dropped a 5-2 loss to the Chiefs in Spokane Friday in Cody Eakin’s debut. Sunday’s loss now has the club in a dogfight for playoff seeding in the Eastern conference with the hard-charging Medicine Hat Tigers and Moose Jaw Warriors.
Off the ice the club’s infirmary is overflowing. 20-year-old forward Steele Boomer is out at least four weeks with a high-ankle sprain while 18-year-old Calgary Flames Draft pick D Joey Leach underwent surgery in Calgary over the weekend to remove a broken bone in his ankle. 20-year-old forward Matt Fraser took a knee to the head Tuesday against Edmonton and is listed as day-to-day, as is 17-year-old D Luke Paulsen who has missed a week with a concussion. The short line-up to some key cogs in the line-up has forced the newcomer to carry a load right off the hop, having returned from a hand injury suffered at the World Junior Championships Friday against the Chiefs.
“It’s a lot of minutes after being off the ice for awhile but it’s not huge and after the first couple of shifts you get through it,” said Eakin who has two goals and an assist in the two games he’s played. “Hopefully we can get through these injuries sooner rather than later, and get them over with down the road towards the playoffs.”
Knoblauch admitted the club’s not responding as well as he’d hoped to the adversity. “We’re missing some key guys but we still have a good team. We’re missing four of our top ten players and it’s hard but every team goes through it at some point in the season and we’re going through now. We’ve played so well five-on-five these last two games, probably two of the hottest teams in the league right now and we had a chance to win both of them. Some guys are playing more minutes than they’re used to."
Quick Hits – The Ice will host the Brandon Wheat Kings Wednesday before a home-and-home with the Lethbridge Hurricanes over the weekend… The club has called up 16-year-old goaltender MacKenzie Skapski to skate with the club this week, while forward Levi Cable, 16, who sits 9th in Saskatchewan Midget League scoring with 45 points, will also see action this week due to injuries. Knoblauch said that Skapski, who currently plays with the Ridge Meadow Flames of the Junior B PIJHL, may or may not play this week.
Slumping Ice slip out of first place
by Jeff Bromley
Adversity, thy name is Kootenay and it’s coming from all angles.
The Kootenay Ice dropped their second straight and third in their last four outings Sunday night in a 6-4 loss to the Red Deer Rebels at the Cranbrook Rec Plex. The loss dropped the Ice to a 30-15-1-2 record on the season as their Central Division rivals blew past them for first place and now sit six points up on the Ice in the race for playoff position in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
“If you take eight penalties in a game, you’re going to shoot yourself in the foot,” said newly acquired Ice forward Cody Eakin. “That’s exactly what we did and the score showed it.”
Up 2-1 over the Rebels into the second period Sunday night the Ice got into penalty trouble late in the second and into the third period and took seven of the eight minors handed out by referees Trevor Hanson and Jeff Ingram through the 18 minutes, including two, too-many-men infractions. Before they knew what happened the Rebels struck for five goals including an empty-netter as Red Deer’s two imports – John Persson with a hat-trick and Andrej Kurdrna with a five point night – did most of the damage in the 6-4 win. “The biggest two penalties I was disappointed with was the two, too-many-men penalites,” said Ice head coach Kris Knoblauch. “It cost us one goal at least and it just shows we weren’t prepared. That was the difference in the game.”
On the ice the loss was Kootenay’s third in four outings, starting with the 11-2 embarrassment in Spokane January 15 in the WHL’s first-ever outdoor game. Kootenay edged the Edmonton Oil Kings at the end of a long road trip Tuesday night at the Rec Plex 4-3 but dropped a 5-2 loss to the Chiefs in Spokane Friday in Cody Eakin’s debut. Sunday’s loss now has the club in a dogfight for playoff seeding in the Eastern conference with the hard-charging Medicine Hat Tigers and Moose Jaw Warriors.
Off the ice the club’s infirmary is overflowing. 20-year-old forward Steele Boomer is out at least four weeks with a high-ankle sprain while 18-year-old Calgary Flames Draft pick D Joey Leach underwent surgery in Calgary over the weekend to remove a broken bone in his ankle. 20-year-old forward Matt Fraser took a knee to the head Tuesday against Edmonton and is listed as day-to-day, as is 17-year-old D Luke Paulsen who has missed a week with a concussion. The short line-up to some key cogs in the line-up has forced the newcomer to carry a load right off the hop, having returned from a hand injury suffered at the World Junior Championships Friday against the Chiefs.
“It’s a lot of minutes after being off the ice for awhile but it’s not huge and after the first couple of shifts you get through it,” said Eakin who has two goals and an assist in the two games he’s played. “Hopefully we can get through these injuries sooner rather than later, and get them over with down the road towards the playoffs.”
Knoblauch admitted the club’s not responding as well as he’d hoped to the adversity. “We’re missing some key guys but we still have a good team. We’re missing four of our top ten players and it’s hard but every team goes through it at some point in the season and we’re going through now. We’ve played so well five-on-five these last two games, probably two of the hottest teams in the league right now and we had a chance to win both of them. Some guys are playing more minutes than they’re used to."
Quick Hits – The Ice will host the Brandon Wheat Kings Wednesday before a home-and-home with the Lethbridge Hurricanes over the weekend… The club has called up 16-year-old goaltender MacKenzie Skapski to skate with the club this week, while forward Levi Cable, 16, who sits 9th in Saskatchewan Midget League scoring with 45 points, will also see action this week due to injuries. Knoblauch said that Skapski, who currently plays with the Ridge Meadow Flames of the Junior B PIJHL, may or may not play this week.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Ice blast Chiefs
The Score – Kootenay 6 – Spokane 2
What Happened – Kootenay was deadly on the power play, going 3-5 against the WHL's second-best PK, and with superstar acquisition Cody Eakin still sidelined the Ice buried the red-hot Chiefs.
The Turning Point – At the beginning of the second Chief Captain Jared Cowen laid out Jesse Ismond and Kevin King with devastating hits but on the same shift Cowen was crunched against the boards by James Martin. WHL Penalty minute leader Darren Kramer came to his captain’s rescue but took an instigator. The Chiefs took another penalty 23 seconds and the Ice scored on the five-on-three to make it 3-1.
The Goals – After a dazzling display of back-and-forth, firewagon hockey the Ice opened the scoring when Brayden McNabb sent a beautiful slap-pass right onto the stick of Joe Antilla who deposited his 12th into the open net past Chiefs starter James Reid… Before I finished writing the above, 11 seconds later Reinhart got his 23rd of the season to make it 2-0 after burying a rebound following Drew Czerwonkas… Four minutes and a timeout later the Chiefs captain Tyler Johnson used Dominik Uher as a decoy and wired his 32nd over Nathan Liewen’s shoulder to make it 2-1… In the second on a five-on-three power play the Ice threw the puck around and looked much better than their 13th ranked power play suggests, generating four shots in the first minute before King buried a Reinhart rebound that rung off the post and dropped to King’s stick for his 19th on the season… King got his 20th just over two minutes later on another beauty of a play. A three-way passing play starting with Reinhart, who dished to McNabb streaking into the slot who then found King at the side of the net to make it 4-1… With Rintoul getting the extra two for instigating the Chiefs got that one back when Steve Kuhn sent the puck in front of the net that Lieuwen looked to have stopped but Kuhn, or an Ice defender from my angle, poked the puck past him to make it 4-2… In the third Jared Cowen got his stick too high on a rushing Steele Boomer and was fingered for a double minor. In the MacDonald’s-sponsored ‘Big Mac Minute’ Matt Fraser streaked in on a short 2-on-1 and deked Reid for his 20th of the season, a 5-2 Ice lead and Big Mac’s for all of the 2535 in attendance. There was no word on whether the Media get any… Following a slew of fights and with former Ice D Tyler Vanscourt in the box Steele Boomer neatly deflected his ninth at 8:24 of the third past Reid that chased the 20-year-old from the nets in favour of Mac Engel.
The Influence of ‘Snack’ – They used to say Brent Sutter and Kevin Constantine had it but you can also bet Snack has it too. After an incidental knee-on-knee in the Chiefs zone between Ice forward Brendan Hurley and Chiefs forward Anthony Bardero, Chief coach Don Nachbaur – a veteran a few WHL contests – ripped into back ref Ryan Bonnett for the non-call as the play went down the ice, Bonnett made up for a weak boarding call on James Martin behind Lieuwen’s net from 100 feet away.
Old time hockey – Because of a Semi-truck that flipped just West of Moyie Lake about 30 minutes out of Cranbrook the Chiefs got stuck with Hwy 3 closed and the game started an hour late. When I was a kid all hockey games started at 8PM.
Old time hockey II – This was indeed a bit of a throwback to the Cranbrook-Spokane rivalry of old with no less than eight fights on the night. At the 7:30 mark of the third there were nine players in the sin bins. Top WHL pugilist and penalty-minute leader Darren Kramer got into two of them.
The Crowd – 2535
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Matt Fraser – Goal, two assists
2. Brayden McNabb – Three assists
3. Max Reinhart – Goal, two assists
What it means – Kootenay improves to 29-12-1-2 and 61 points. Having won two straight and four of their last five the club gets on the bus tonight to head to Spokane to take part in the WHL’s first-ever outdoor game at Avista Stadium against the Chiefs.
Summary:
Chiefs 2 @ Ice 6
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Spokane Chiefs and the Kootenay Ice. January 14, 2011
The Kootenay Ice got three-point efforts from Matt Fraser, Brayden McNabb and Max Reinhart as well as a two-goal effort from Kevin King as the Ice waxed the Spokane Chiefs 6-2 in WHL action Friday night.
Kootenay jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Joe Antilla and Reinhart before the Chiefs got on the board at the nine minute mark of the first period. Kootenay did the same thing in the second period and got two goals from King, the first on the power play, to give the Calgary product 20 on the season while Steve Kuhn kept it close for the Chiefs for a 4-2 Ice lead after two periods. In the third the Ice put the game away on goals by Matt Fraser, with his 20th, and Steele Boomer with his 9th for the 6-2 win.
Nathan Lieuwen got his 20th win of the season stopping 30 of 32 shots while James Reid, who was pulled after the sixth Ice goal, stopped 23 of 29 in taking the loss.
Newly acquired forward Cody Eakin missed his second straight game after being acquired at the trade with a hand injury. The 19-year-old is expected to play next weekend.
The two team now travel to Spokane for the WHL's first-ever outdoor game at Avista Stadium on Saturday.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Antilla 12 (McNabb, Paulsen) 5:38
2. Kootenay, Reinhart 23 (Fraser, Czerwonka) 5:49
3. Spokane, Johnson 32 (Uher) 9:00
Penalties -- Montgomery Ktn (interference) 9:57, Martin Ktn (boarding) 13:39, Uher Spo Leach Ktn (fighting) 15:33.
Second Period
4. Kootenay, King 19 (Reinhart, Fraser) 2:43 (pp)
5. Kootenay, King 20 (Reinhart, McNabb) 4:55
6. Spokane, Kuhn 11 (Gal, Uher) 10:52 (pp)
Penalties -- Kramer Spo (instigator - served by Brassart, fighting, misconduct) Martin Ktn (fighting) 0:39, Kichton Spo (hooking) 2:02, Rintoul Ktn (instigator - served by Hurley - fighting, misconduct) Brassart Spo (fighting) 9:14, Ismond Ktn (charging) 13:41.
Third Period
6. Kootenay, Fraser 20 (Czerwonka, McNabb) 2:44 (pp)
7. Kootenay, Boomer 9 (Leach, Martin) 8:24 (pp)
Penalties -- Cowen Spo (dbl high-sticking) 2:04, McNabb Ktn Valcourt Spo (fighting) 5:31, Czerwonka Ktn Cowen Spo (fighting) 5:32, Hurley Ktn Aviani Spo (fighting) 6:02, Vanscourt Spo (dbl roughing) King Ktn (roughing) 7:30, Pearce Ktn (instigator - served by Hurley, fighting, misconduct) Kramer Spo (fighting) 12:29, Ismond Ktn (unsportsmanlike conduct) 14:09, Hurley Ktn Uher Spo (fighting) 14:38.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 9 16 7 - 32
Spokane: 12 9 11 - 32
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 20-9-1-1) Spokane: James Reid (Mac Engel - 8:24 of third; 23 of 29 shots; L, 25-8-2-1)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 3-5
Spokane: 1-6
Referee -- Tyler Adair, Ryan Bonnett. Linesman -- Aiden Henderson, Michael Roberts.
Attendance -- 2535 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Cody Eakin (hand - day-to-day), John Niebrandt (healthy).
Spokane: Tanner Mort, Cole Hamblin, Kenton Miller, Marek Kalus.
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman.
What Happened – Kootenay was deadly on the power play, going 3-5 against the WHL's second-best PK, and with superstar acquisition Cody Eakin still sidelined the Ice buried the red-hot Chiefs.
The Turning Point – At the beginning of the second Chief Captain Jared Cowen laid out Jesse Ismond and Kevin King with devastating hits but on the same shift Cowen was crunched against the boards by James Martin. WHL Penalty minute leader Darren Kramer came to his captain’s rescue but took an instigator. The Chiefs took another penalty 23 seconds and the Ice scored on the five-on-three to make it 3-1.
The Goals – After a dazzling display of back-and-forth, firewagon hockey the Ice opened the scoring when Brayden McNabb sent a beautiful slap-pass right onto the stick of Joe Antilla who deposited his 12th into the open net past Chiefs starter James Reid… Before I finished writing the above, 11 seconds later Reinhart got his 23rd of the season to make it 2-0 after burying a rebound following Drew Czerwonkas… Four minutes and a timeout later the Chiefs captain Tyler Johnson used Dominik Uher as a decoy and wired his 32nd over Nathan Liewen’s shoulder to make it 2-1… In the second on a five-on-three power play the Ice threw the puck around and looked much better than their 13th ranked power play suggests, generating four shots in the first minute before King buried a Reinhart rebound that rung off the post and dropped to King’s stick for his 19th on the season… King got his 20th just over two minutes later on another beauty of a play. A three-way passing play starting with Reinhart, who dished to McNabb streaking into the slot who then found King at the side of the net to make it 4-1… With Rintoul getting the extra two for instigating the Chiefs got that one back when Steve Kuhn sent the puck in front of the net that Lieuwen looked to have stopped but Kuhn, or an Ice defender from my angle, poked the puck past him to make it 4-2… In the third Jared Cowen got his stick too high on a rushing Steele Boomer and was fingered for a double minor. In the MacDonald’s-sponsored ‘Big Mac Minute’ Matt Fraser streaked in on a short 2-on-1 and deked Reid for his 20th of the season, a 5-2 Ice lead and Big Mac’s for all of the 2535 in attendance. There was no word on whether the Media get any… Following a slew of fights and with former Ice D Tyler Vanscourt in the box Steele Boomer neatly deflected his ninth at 8:24 of the third past Reid that chased the 20-year-old from the nets in favour of Mac Engel.
The Influence of ‘Snack’ – They used to say Brent Sutter and Kevin Constantine had it but you can also bet Snack has it too. After an incidental knee-on-knee in the Chiefs zone between Ice forward Brendan Hurley and Chiefs forward Anthony Bardero, Chief coach Don Nachbaur – a veteran a few WHL contests – ripped into back ref Ryan Bonnett for the non-call as the play went down the ice, Bonnett made up for a weak boarding call on James Martin behind Lieuwen’s net from 100 feet away.
Old time hockey – Because of a Semi-truck that flipped just West of Moyie Lake about 30 minutes out of Cranbrook the Chiefs got stuck with Hwy 3 closed and the game started an hour late. When I was a kid all hockey games started at 8PM.
Old time hockey II – This was indeed a bit of a throwback to the Cranbrook-Spokane rivalry of old with no less than eight fights on the night. At the 7:30 mark of the third there were nine players in the sin bins. Top WHL pugilist and penalty-minute leader Darren Kramer got into two of them.
The Crowd – 2535
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Matt Fraser – Goal, two assists
2. Brayden McNabb – Three assists
3. Max Reinhart – Goal, two assists
What it means – Kootenay improves to 29-12-1-2 and 61 points. Having won two straight and four of their last five the club gets on the bus tonight to head to Spokane to take part in the WHL’s first-ever outdoor game at Avista Stadium against the Chiefs.
Summary:
Chiefs 2 @ Ice 6
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Spokane Chiefs and the Kootenay Ice. January 14, 2011
The Kootenay Ice got three-point efforts from Matt Fraser, Brayden McNabb and Max Reinhart as well as a two-goal effort from Kevin King as the Ice waxed the Spokane Chiefs 6-2 in WHL action Friday night.
Kootenay jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Joe Antilla and Reinhart before the Chiefs got on the board at the nine minute mark of the first period. Kootenay did the same thing in the second period and got two goals from King, the first on the power play, to give the Calgary product 20 on the season while Steve Kuhn kept it close for the Chiefs for a 4-2 Ice lead after two periods. In the third the Ice put the game away on goals by Matt Fraser, with his 20th, and Steele Boomer with his 9th for the 6-2 win.
Nathan Lieuwen got his 20th win of the season stopping 30 of 32 shots while James Reid, who was pulled after the sixth Ice goal, stopped 23 of 29 in taking the loss.
Newly acquired forward Cody Eakin missed his second straight game after being acquired at the trade with a hand injury. The 19-year-old is expected to play next weekend.
The two team now travel to Spokane for the WHL's first-ever outdoor game at Avista Stadium on Saturday.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Antilla 12 (McNabb, Paulsen) 5:38
2. Kootenay, Reinhart 23 (Fraser, Czerwonka) 5:49
3. Spokane, Johnson 32 (Uher) 9:00
Penalties -- Montgomery Ktn (interference) 9:57, Martin Ktn (boarding) 13:39, Uher Spo Leach Ktn (fighting) 15:33.
Second Period
4. Kootenay, King 19 (Reinhart, Fraser) 2:43 (pp)
5. Kootenay, King 20 (Reinhart, McNabb) 4:55
6. Spokane, Kuhn 11 (Gal, Uher) 10:52 (pp)
Penalties -- Kramer Spo (instigator - served by Brassart, fighting, misconduct) Martin Ktn (fighting) 0:39, Kichton Spo (hooking) 2:02, Rintoul Ktn (instigator - served by Hurley - fighting, misconduct) Brassart Spo (fighting) 9:14, Ismond Ktn (charging) 13:41.
Third Period
6. Kootenay, Fraser 20 (Czerwonka, McNabb) 2:44 (pp)
7. Kootenay, Boomer 9 (Leach, Martin) 8:24 (pp)
Penalties -- Cowen Spo (dbl high-sticking) 2:04, McNabb Ktn Valcourt Spo (fighting) 5:31, Czerwonka Ktn Cowen Spo (fighting) 5:32, Hurley Ktn Aviani Spo (fighting) 6:02, Vanscourt Spo (dbl roughing) King Ktn (roughing) 7:30, Pearce Ktn (instigator - served by Hurley, fighting, misconduct) Kramer Spo (fighting) 12:29, Ismond Ktn (unsportsmanlike conduct) 14:09, Hurley Ktn Uher Spo (fighting) 14:38.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 9 16 7 - 32
Spokane: 12 9 11 - 32
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W, 20-9-1-1) Spokane: James Reid (Mac Engel - 8:24 of third; 23 of 29 shots; L, 25-8-2-1)
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 3-5
Spokane: 1-6
Referee -- Tyler Adair, Ryan Bonnett. Linesman -- Aiden Henderson, Michael Roberts.
Attendance -- 2535 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: Cody Eakin (hand - day-to-day), John Niebrandt (healthy).
Spokane: Tanner Mort, Cole Hamblin, Kenton Miller, Marek Kalus.
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The more things change....
The more they stay the same...
Using the 24-hour rule to assess the damage as the dust settled on deadline day, I thought I'd wade in on who won, who lost;
I've already discussed Kootenay's position. Clearly, what they gave up in the 8 (picks and players)-for-1 deal to land Cody Eakin isn't as expensive as some might think. Nextyearland is clearly going to be at least semi-rebuild time with at least three 16-year-olds, maybe four, along with at least two 17's making the roster to replace the three 20's; two 19's who are signed and will be gone (Eakin and McNabb) and two of the five 91's left (Lieuwen, Antilla, Ismond, Martin and Rintoul) to get to the three 20-year-old limit. But the future is not now...
Kootenay is clearly making a run with the acquisition but also just as crystal clear is the fact so is Saskatoon and Medicine Hat with their acquisitions. Red Deer and Moose Jaw remained relatively quiet on D-Day.
The Blades, who have never won a Memorial Cup and actually never been WHL Champs in their 44 seasons in the WHL (they were host in 89 when Swift Current beat them in the Memorial Cup final), stated that they were going for all the marbles with the acquisition of Schenn for a price that was arguably much higher than for what Kootenay got Eakin for. The Blades gave up 1st round bantam picks in 2011 and 2012, and a second-round selection in 2011, as well as a 1st round pick in the CHL’s 2012 import draft. As well as two, 15-year-old prospects, F Tim McGauley and D Ayrton Nikkel out of Kelowna, both were selected in the 2010 Bantam Draft in the first and second rounds, respectively, by the Blades.
Let's put it in perspective; if you're Kootenay making that deal that would have you giving up F Sam Reinhart(1st round) and G Wyatt Hoflin (second round) from the 2010 Bantam Draft. If you want to substitute a forward for Hoflin (like Brandon wanted) you have to go to the third rounder Luke Philp. As you know Reinhart is second is BCMML scoring and Philp is first in AMML scoring. Now throw in the picks and compare the deals. Schenn was pricey to get him to come home (Saskatoon).
So the Blades get that much better and are right now the odds-on favourites to come out of the East in the WHL. Kootenay's right there with their deals but quietly I think that Medicine Hat did well on trade day getting Vancouver Canuck signed forward out of Everett, Kellan Tochkin, 19, and D Alex Theriau, 18, for Forward Ryan Harrison. It's a curious deal as Everett gives up a point-a-game player in Tochkin for Harrison only, I presume, to get a year younger. Theriau, a former first rounder in 2007 for Lethbridge (6th overall) is now with his third team in three years after being a part of the Kyle Beach deal two years ago that sent the wild one to the Hurricanes. The Tigers get older but not necessarily better but get deeper on the blueline.
Red Deer and Moose Jaw, rounding out the top five in the conference, stood pat for the most part Monday. In doing so I think they'll still compete for top spots in the conference but on paper look to be out of the top three at this point.
I'd argue that the only change 1-5 in terms of ranking was that Medicine Hat might've leap-frogged the Rebels. Blades, Ice, Tigers, Rebels and Warriors.
The NHL's Central Scouting Mid-term rankings were released this week and there's no Ice players on it but a list player, F Colten St. Clair out of Phoenix who plays for the USHL's Fargo Force is 83rd overall. St. Clair was taken on a flyer in the 2007 Draft, in the 10th round, 218th overall with the low expectation of ever coming here. He didn't. He's got a late November birthday and as such was eligible for the 2011 NHL Draft. He's 18.
Cranbrook product Sam Mellor, another late-birthday 18-year-old who now plays for the Trail Smoke Eaters is ranked 147th. Mellor played with the Kimberley Dynamiters before moving to Trail where he's currently 11th in league scoring with 53 points in 30 games. The 5'10" forward will play NCAA next season with Alaska-Anchorage.
Using the 24-hour rule to assess the damage as the dust settled on deadline day, I thought I'd wade in on who won, who lost;
I've already discussed Kootenay's position. Clearly, what they gave up in the 8 (picks and players)-for-1 deal to land Cody Eakin isn't as expensive as some might think. Nextyearland is clearly going to be at least semi-rebuild time with at least three 16-year-olds, maybe four, along with at least two 17's making the roster to replace the three 20's; two 19's who are signed and will be gone (Eakin and McNabb) and two of the five 91's left (Lieuwen, Antilla, Ismond, Martin and Rintoul) to get to the three 20-year-old limit. But the future is not now...
Kootenay is clearly making a run with the acquisition but also just as crystal clear is the fact so is Saskatoon and Medicine Hat with their acquisitions. Red Deer and Moose Jaw remained relatively quiet on D-Day.
The Blades, who have never won a Memorial Cup and actually never been WHL Champs in their 44 seasons in the WHL (they were host in 89 when Swift Current beat them in the Memorial Cup final), stated that they were going for all the marbles with the acquisition of Schenn for a price that was arguably much higher than for what Kootenay got Eakin for. The Blades gave up 1st round bantam picks in 2011 and 2012, and a second-round selection in 2011, as well as a 1st round pick in the CHL’s 2012 import draft. As well as two, 15-year-old prospects, F Tim McGauley and D Ayrton Nikkel out of Kelowna, both were selected in the 2010 Bantam Draft in the first and second rounds, respectively, by the Blades.
Let's put it in perspective; if you're Kootenay making that deal that would have you giving up F Sam Reinhart(1st round) and G Wyatt Hoflin (second round) from the 2010 Bantam Draft. If you want to substitute a forward for Hoflin (like Brandon wanted) you have to go to the third rounder Luke Philp. As you know Reinhart is second is BCMML scoring and Philp is first in AMML scoring. Now throw in the picks and compare the deals. Schenn was pricey to get him to come home (Saskatoon).
So the Blades get that much better and are right now the odds-on favourites to come out of the East in the WHL. Kootenay's right there with their deals but quietly I think that Medicine Hat did well on trade day getting Vancouver Canuck signed forward out of Everett, Kellan Tochkin, 19, and D Alex Theriau, 18, for Forward Ryan Harrison. It's a curious deal as Everett gives up a point-a-game player in Tochkin for Harrison only, I presume, to get a year younger. Theriau, a former first rounder in 2007 for Lethbridge (6th overall) is now with his third team in three years after being a part of the Kyle Beach deal two years ago that sent the wild one to the Hurricanes. The Tigers get older but not necessarily better but get deeper on the blueline.
Red Deer and Moose Jaw, rounding out the top five in the conference, stood pat for the most part Monday. In doing so I think they'll still compete for top spots in the conference but on paper look to be out of the top three at this point.
I'd argue that the only change 1-5 in terms of ranking was that Medicine Hat might've leap-frogged the Rebels. Blades, Ice, Tigers, Rebels and Warriors.
The NHL's Central Scouting Mid-term rankings were released this week and there's no Ice players on it but a list player, F Colten St. Clair out of Phoenix who plays for the USHL's Fargo Force is 83rd overall. St. Clair was taken on a flyer in the 2007 Draft, in the 10th round, 218th overall with the low expectation of ever coming here. He didn't. He's got a late November birthday and as such was eligible for the 2011 NHL Draft. He's 18.
Cranbrook product Sam Mellor, another late-birthday 18-year-old who now plays for the Trail Smoke Eaters is ranked 147th. Mellor played with the Kimberley Dynamiters before moving to Trail where he's currently 11th in league scoring with 53 points in 30 games. The 5'10" forward will play NCAA next season with Alaska-Anchorage.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Ask and you shall......
Kootenay made a big splash today in a staggering 5-for-1 deal that lands the club one of the big fish in the WHL sea as Washington Capital 3rd round NHL pick (85th overall in 2009) Cody Eakin heads to the Kootenays prior to the deadline from the Swift Current Broncos.
Going the other way is Kootenay's 1st round pick (via Vancouver, I presume, or at least at Swift's call), 2nd round pick in 2011 and a 3rd round pick in 2012; F Christian Magnus, 18, F Jarett Zentner, 17, F Ryan Bloom, 17, F Colby Cave, G Steve Myland, both 16.
On it's surface, the deal looks to be an expensive one, and it is but dig a little deeper and the depth Chynoweth parted with he could easily afford.
In Magnus Kootenay gives up a third line pivot that had yet to live up to his first round bantam pick potential. Magnus was the centre piece of the deal that sent John Negrin to the Broncos two years ago, which also included Micheal Stickland and coming back was James Martin and a 2nd (Tanner Faith) and a 4th(Cole Depape) in 2010. Martin now looks to be the steal of the deal and is, ironically enough, best friends with the fellow Winnipegger, Cody Eakin.
In Zentner, Bloom and Cave, all three stuck for a spell after training camp but in my opinion were numbers 4,5 and 6 on the forward depth charts on the prospect list behind Reinhart, Philp and Deschaneau, and likely in the same spot as Jared Iron and Levi Cable. In other words, if your were to take three names out of the eight mentioned, those would be the ones.
Myland, though he's having a solid season in the BCMML with the Valley West Hawks and is 11-2 with a GAA under 2, was the third ranked goaltender in the system behind Skapski and Hoflin. Looking forward the club still has another year of eligibility from Lieuwen; a solid 17-year-old in Teskey and two up and comers that will push both next season.
The picks are/could be expensive but really Kootenay only looses a second-rounder in 2011 and 3rd in 2012. There's still depth to acquire those picks back from somewhere else if needed. And really, the first round pick Kootenay got in the David Musil deal to Vancouver came without a cost. They won the lottery for Musil's services and didn't give up anything in return.
Hands down, right now, Kootenay wins this deal. They acquire much-needed firepower on the PP and five-on-five and a forward who is arguably better than Schenn defensively, if you're comparing.
Only a few questions remain: is it enough to tackle the likes of Red Deer and Medicine Hat in the Central and possibly the Blades with a Schenn and/or Glennie in their lineup (assuming that happens as is the rummour de jour);
And, is he done?
Here's the release:
______________________________________________________________
Cranbrook, BC -- Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the club has acquired 19-year-old Forward Cody Eakin from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for 18-year-old Forward Christian Magnus and prospects Ryan Bloom (1993 Forward- Drumheller Dragons – AJHL), Jarett Zentner (1993 Forward - Calgary Mustangs – AJHL), Colby Cave (1994 Forward - Battleford Stars – SMAAAHL) and Steven Myland (1994 Goaltender - Valley West Hawks – BCMMHL) along with a first and second round draft pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft and a third round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.
“This was not an overnight decision and as an organization we have had ongoing discussions on how to improve our Hockey Club to challenge for a WHL Championship this season. We have acquired one of the WHL’s premier offensive players which will add offense to an already balanced team. To get a player the caliber of Cody Eakin you have to give up a lot and we feel we definitely stepped up to the plate and parted with very good players and very high draft picks. We appreciate the quality of the people and players going to Swift Current and we wish them all the best in the future,” added Chynoweth.
Cody Eakin suffered a minor hand injury playing for Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo, NY and is expected to be out of action one to two weeks.
CODY EAKIN
May 25, 1991 * Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Centre * Shoots: Left * 6’0”, 189 lbs
2009 NHL Draft: 3rd Round, 85th Overall Washington Capitals
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2006-07 Swift Current Broncos 3 0
0 0 0
2007-08 Swift Current Broncos 55 11 6 17 52
2008-09 Swift Current Broncos 54 24 24 48 42
2009-10 Swift Current Broncos 70 47 44 91 71
2010-11 Swift Current Broncos 30 18 21 39 24
Going the other way is Kootenay's 1st round pick (via Vancouver, I presume, or at least at Swift's call), 2nd round pick in 2011 and a 3rd round pick in 2012; F Christian Magnus, 18, F Jarett Zentner, 17, F Ryan Bloom, 17, F Colby Cave, G Steve Myland, both 16.
On it's surface, the deal looks to be an expensive one, and it is but dig a little deeper and the depth Chynoweth parted with he could easily afford.
In Magnus Kootenay gives up a third line pivot that had yet to live up to his first round bantam pick potential. Magnus was the centre piece of the deal that sent John Negrin to the Broncos two years ago, which also included Micheal Stickland and coming back was James Martin and a 2nd (Tanner Faith) and a 4th(Cole Depape) in 2010. Martin now looks to be the steal of the deal and is, ironically enough, best friends with the fellow Winnipegger, Cody Eakin.
In Zentner, Bloom and Cave, all three stuck for a spell after training camp but in my opinion were numbers 4,5 and 6 on the forward depth charts on the prospect list behind Reinhart, Philp and Deschaneau, and likely in the same spot as Jared Iron and Levi Cable. In other words, if your were to take three names out of the eight mentioned, those would be the ones.
Myland, though he's having a solid season in the BCMML with the Valley West Hawks and is 11-2 with a GAA under 2, was the third ranked goaltender in the system behind Skapski and Hoflin. Looking forward the club still has another year of eligibility from Lieuwen; a solid 17-year-old in Teskey and two up and comers that will push both next season.
The picks are/could be expensive but really Kootenay only looses a second-rounder in 2011 and 3rd in 2012. There's still depth to acquire those picks back from somewhere else if needed. And really, the first round pick Kootenay got in the David Musil deal to Vancouver came without a cost. They won the lottery for Musil's services and didn't give up anything in return.
Hands down, right now, Kootenay wins this deal. They acquire much-needed firepower on the PP and five-on-five and a forward who is arguably better than Schenn defensively, if you're comparing.
Only a few questions remain: is it enough to tackle the likes of Red Deer and Medicine Hat in the Central and possibly the Blades with a Schenn and/or Glennie in their lineup (assuming that happens as is the rummour de jour);
And, is he done?
Here's the release:
______________________________________________________________
Cranbrook, BC -- Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the club has acquired 19-year-old Forward Cody Eakin from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for 18-year-old Forward Christian Magnus and prospects Ryan Bloom (1993 Forward- Drumheller Dragons – AJHL), Jarett Zentner (1993 Forward - Calgary Mustangs – AJHL), Colby Cave (1994 Forward - Battleford Stars – SMAAAHL) and Steven Myland (1994 Goaltender - Valley West Hawks – BCMMHL) along with a first and second round draft pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft and a third round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.
“This was not an overnight decision and as an organization we have had ongoing discussions on how to improve our Hockey Club to challenge for a WHL Championship this season. We have acquired one of the WHL’s premier offensive players which will add offense to an already balanced team. To get a player the caliber of Cody Eakin you have to give up a lot and we feel we definitely stepped up to the plate and parted with very good players and very high draft picks. We appreciate the quality of the people and players going to Swift Current and we wish them all the best in the future,” added Chynoweth.
Cody Eakin suffered a minor hand injury playing for Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo, NY and is expected to be out of action one to two weeks.
CODY EAKIN
May 25, 1991 * Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Centre * Shoots: Left * 6’0”, 189 lbs
2009 NHL Draft: 3rd Round, 85th Overall Washington Capitals
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2006-07 Swift Current Broncos 3 0
0 0 0
2007-08 Swift Current Broncos 55 11 6 17 52
2008-09 Swift Current Broncos 54 24 24 48 42
2009-10 Swift Current Broncos 70 47 44 91 71
2010-11 Swift Current Broncos 30 18 21 39 24
Random thoughts on things important to somebody...
With just over 24 hours left until the WHL's trade deadline, the flurry has started. Or will it? Whether or not the annual parade of deals happens and when, not if, Brandon Wheat King forward Brayden Schenn is dealt to a contender, most WHL fans - at least the ones in markets who are vying for the junior superstar's services - wait like a kid on Christmas Eve.
Will he head to the Kootenays? Tough to say. The delay in Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth obtaining the sorely needed help up front tells me there's a target (Schenn) in sight and it's a matter of whether Brandon owner/GM Kelly McCrimmon takes his offer or one from the likes of Saskatoon or maybe Kelowna. Portland was in the running but after the Cunningham deal I think they're done for the most part.
Last night's effort and result has to be cast aside as a gauge of where the Ice are. They're close, real close IMO and two players - either an older depth D-man and an impact forward or two forwards could push them over the edge.
As for Brandon, the fact that Schenn is still there (well, he's at home in Saskatoon actually, nursing a shoulder injury that will keep him out of action for the next two weeks) tells me that McCrimmon is waiting until the 11th hour to flush out the best deal possible. I think the same goes for Calgary and their best players - Foucault (20), Bubnick (19) and MacKenzie (19). Kelly Kisio must be feeling the heat to rebuild given the status of his team And after last night's rumour-fest around the rink, the price is astronomical. But you already know most of this....
I still think that the Ice is in the best position to offer the best deal. Not many teams are as deep in draft picks and prospects to try and obtain high-end help. The Ice have two 1st round picks and two picks in rounds 4-7 for the 2011 Draft. Two of their 15-year-old prospects are leading their league in scoring (Luke Philp - Alberta Midget - 39 points; 24 games) or second (Sam Reinhart - BC Major Midget 54 points; 24 games) Two other prospects - list player Sam Johnson, 16, (UFA Bisons - Alberta Midget) is tied with Jaedon Descheneau (Leduc - Alberta Midget) for 16th in league scoring - both with 28 points. In Saskatchewan list player Levi Cable, 16, is 8th in league scoring with 36 points in 30 games while Jared Iron, 16, is 12th on the list with 33pts in 30 games including 18 goals. Former first rounder Colby Cave, 16, is a ways back with 10g and 10a in 30 games.
In goal? Wyatt Hoflin, 15, is a blue-chipper as is MacKenzie Skapski, 16, who was lights-out for Team Pacific at the U-17 with the second-best stats of any goaltender of the tourny. Steven Myland and Kevin Jacyna round out the goaltending depth.
On the blueline 15-year-old Tanner Faith, Mike Simpson, 16, and Jeff Hubic, 16 are all expected to challenge for spots next season.
The point? Kootenay is deep in the prospect pool to get an impact player at the deadline today or tomorrow. It's just a matter of how much the team is willing to stomach giving up...
Kootenay's on the tube twice next week; On Shaw Cable Wednesday for the day game in Edmonton at 11:30 and again Saturday in the outdoor game in Spokane at 2PM Cranbrook time...
The Weather for the outdoor game? About -5C but there's supposed to be a swak of snow coming later in the week... And how happy must the WHL be for their Feb 21st outdoor game at McMahon Stadium in Calgary where the league's two worst teams will face-off? Okay, the Pats are playing better but after the deadline, things could be ugly for these two clubs finishing off the season ready to rebuild.
I haven't publicly weighed-in on the Gregg Drinnan/Kamloops Blazer war that has the dean of WHL Writers and best coverage both in print (over 12,000 readers for the News) and on the net (over 2000 hits a day) by a country mile of both the Blazers; the WHL and former players banned from talking to the players or anyone from the organization, but you could probably guess which side I'm going to come down on.
The WHL and the Blazers look bush in what could only be described as a fiasco. If you have issues with the local beat writer then discussion between the two parties, airing their concerns in-camera before a knee-jerk reaction like the Blazers did is the first-step approach. In my experience parties that have grievances that don't attempt to resolve them in a respectable manner tend not to have much of a case. From my vantage point it looks more to be an ego issue or a classic case of shoot the messenger. And if you look through the public offerings of Mr. Drinnan that are all available to anyone who wants to look on his blog (over there, on the right) or on the Kamloops Daily News Website, trying to find anything that's off-base in terms of 'negative coverage' - as was the reasoning by Blazer GM Craig Bonner in their letter to KDN - might prove problematic because there isn't any.
Is there questions and criticisms? Sure, that comes with the territory of being part of a league that wants fans dearly to believe that they are a mini-version of the NHL. There's drafts, trades, hold-outs, ticket prices - some high, some not - attendance issues and big-time coverage, sound familiar? Thing is, if you want to be like a big-time league then you'll be treated as such, in good times and in bad. As players are so fond of saying - even rookies - it's a business and it's not personal. And nowhere is there any evidence to suggest otherwise, that Gregg Drinnan was anything but business-like and professional in his journalistic approach. And I compel the Blazers and the WHL - whose own media policy is currently not being enforced - to display evidence to the contrary.
Truth is, this is a disaster in terms of coverage from the get-go. It's garnered national media attention, talk of a boycott (when league-wide attendance is down significantly) by print press, you have NHL player owners of the club (Mark Recchi and Shane Doan) commenting on a situation they know nothing about. And from Recchi, the NHL's elder statesmen who will likely be in the Hall of Fame one day, he throws one of his biggest hometown supporters under the bus. In the past year along I would guess that there have been over ten articles or mention by Drinnan on Recchi in a positive light. Guess he must have not read those.
There's also now a bit of media war starting between mediums - mostly Radio in Kamloops (6th one down) - and the print media. I'm waiting for Shaw to wade into the debate on their broadcast this week. Some are coming down on the side of the team, however most aren't, at least the ones in print.
I wonder if the NHL or one of it's teams would try such a stunt. I can't imagine anyone from the media horde in Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal or New York. Did Drinnan do anything like this? Not at all. Did the Rangers ban Larry Brooks? No, and he's the extreme.
I wonder if places like Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida or Columbus would ban a reporter? With their attendance, I doubt it.
I've had my spats with the Ice brass on occasion or two in the past 13 seasons of covering the team but I never made them public and when they weren't happy with me, they never made it public. They were just resolved one way or the other. Nobody wins in scraps like this but I'll guarantee you this; it's the WHL and Kamloops Blazers who stand the most to lose.
Will he head to the Kootenays? Tough to say. The delay in Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth obtaining the sorely needed help up front tells me there's a target (Schenn) in sight and it's a matter of whether Brandon owner/GM Kelly McCrimmon takes his offer or one from the likes of Saskatoon or maybe Kelowna. Portland was in the running but after the Cunningham deal I think they're done for the most part.
Last night's effort and result has to be cast aside as a gauge of where the Ice are. They're close, real close IMO and two players - either an older depth D-man and an impact forward or two forwards could push them over the edge.
As for Brandon, the fact that Schenn is still there (well, he's at home in Saskatoon actually, nursing a shoulder injury that will keep him out of action for the next two weeks) tells me that McCrimmon is waiting until the 11th hour to flush out the best deal possible. I think the same goes for Calgary and their best players - Foucault (20), Bubnick (19) and MacKenzie (19). Kelly Kisio must be feeling the heat to rebuild given the status of his team And after last night's rumour-fest around the rink, the price is astronomical. But you already know most of this....
I still think that the Ice is in the best position to offer the best deal. Not many teams are as deep in draft picks and prospects to try and obtain high-end help. The Ice have two 1st round picks and two picks in rounds 4-7 for the 2011 Draft. Two of their 15-year-old prospects are leading their league in scoring (Luke Philp - Alberta Midget - 39 points; 24 games) or second (Sam Reinhart - BC Major Midget 54 points; 24 games) Two other prospects - list player Sam Johnson, 16, (UFA Bisons - Alberta Midget) is tied with Jaedon Descheneau (Leduc - Alberta Midget) for 16th in league scoring - both with 28 points. In Saskatchewan list player Levi Cable, 16, is 8th in league scoring with 36 points in 30 games while Jared Iron, 16, is 12th on the list with 33pts in 30 games including 18 goals. Former first rounder Colby Cave, 16, is a ways back with 10g and 10a in 30 games.
In goal? Wyatt Hoflin, 15, is a blue-chipper as is MacKenzie Skapski, 16, who was lights-out for Team Pacific at the U-17 with the second-best stats of any goaltender of the tourny. Steven Myland and Kevin Jacyna round out the goaltending depth.
On the blueline 15-year-old Tanner Faith, Mike Simpson, 16, and Jeff Hubic, 16 are all expected to challenge for spots next season.
The point? Kootenay is deep in the prospect pool to get an impact player at the deadline today or tomorrow. It's just a matter of how much the team is willing to stomach giving up...
Kootenay's on the tube twice next week; On Shaw Cable Wednesday for the day game in Edmonton at 11:30 and again Saturday in the outdoor game in Spokane at 2PM Cranbrook time...
The Weather for the outdoor game? About -5C but there's supposed to be a swak of snow coming later in the week... And how happy must the WHL be for their Feb 21st outdoor game at McMahon Stadium in Calgary where the league's two worst teams will face-off? Okay, the Pats are playing better but after the deadline, things could be ugly for these two clubs finishing off the season ready to rebuild.
I haven't publicly weighed-in on the Gregg Drinnan/Kamloops Blazer war that has the dean of WHL Writers and best coverage both in print (over 12,000 readers for the News) and on the net (over 2000 hits a day) by a country mile of both the Blazers; the WHL and former players banned from talking to the players or anyone from the organization, but you could probably guess which side I'm going to come down on.
The WHL and the Blazers look bush in what could only be described as a fiasco. If you have issues with the local beat writer then discussion between the two parties, airing their concerns in-camera before a knee-jerk reaction like the Blazers did is the first-step approach. In my experience parties that have grievances that don't attempt to resolve them in a respectable manner tend not to have much of a case. From my vantage point it looks more to be an ego issue or a classic case of shoot the messenger. And if you look through the public offerings of Mr. Drinnan that are all available to anyone who wants to look on his blog (over there, on the right) or on the Kamloops Daily News Website, trying to find anything that's off-base in terms of 'negative coverage' - as was the reasoning by Blazer GM Craig Bonner in their letter to KDN - might prove problematic because there isn't any.
Is there questions and criticisms? Sure, that comes with the territory of being part of a league that wants fans dearly to believe that they are a mini-version of the NHL. There's drafts, trades, hold-outs, ticket prices - some high, some not - attendance issues and big-time coverage, sound familiar? Thing is, if you want to be like a big-time league then you'll be treated as such, in good times and in bad. As players are so fond of saying - even rookies - it's a business and it's not personal. And nowhere is there any evidence to suggest otherwise, that Gregg Drinnan was anything but business-like and professional in his journalistic approach. And I compel the Blazers and the WHL - whose own media policy is currently not being enforced - to display evidence to the contrary.
Truth is, this is a disaster in terms of coverage from the get-go. It's garnered national media attention, talk of a boycott (when league-wide attendance is down significantly) by print press, you have NHL player owners of the club (Mark Recchi and Shane Doan) commenting on a situation they know nothing about. And from Recchi, the NHL's elder statesmen who will likely be in the Hall of Fame one day, he throws one of his biggest hometown supporters under the bus. In the past year along I would guess that there have been over ten articles or mention by Drinnan on Recchi in a positive light. Guess he must have not read those.
There's also now a bit of media war starting between mediums - mostly Radio in Kamloops (6th one down) - and the print media. I'm waiting for Shaw to wade into the debate on their broadcast this week. Some are coming down on the side of the team, however most aren't, at least the ones in print.
I wonder if the NHL or one of it's teams would try such a stunt. I can't imagine anyone from the media horde in Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal or New York. Did Drinnan do anything like this? Not at all. Did the Rangers ban Larry Brooks? No, and he's the extreme.
I wonder if places like Phoenix, Atlanta, Florida or Columbus would ban a reporter? With their attendance, I doubt it.
I've had my spats with the Ice brass on occasion or two in the past 13 seasons of covering the team but I never made them public and when they weren't happy with me, they never made it public. They were just resolved one way or the other. Nobody wins in scraps like this but I'll guarantee you this; it's the WHL and Kamloops Blazers who stand the most to lose.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
The Score - Ice/Rebels
The Score – Red Deer 6 – Kootenay 1
What Happened – Their best goaltender stopped just 13 of 19 shots; their captain was dash-5 and their other best player, Kevin King, was a shadow of his former self. Did the Rebels play better? Sure, but they got off the bus with a chip on their shoulder and took it out on the home side.
The Goals – The Rebels opened the scoring on a goal that was at first signalled no-goal by the on-ice officials when it was thought the great shot by Rebel D-man Alex Petrovic hit the cross-bar and bounced out back to Nathan Lieuwen. The video replay official called down and after a short discussion, it was a goal…. Five minutes later a bouncing puck through a few bodies and legs, Brett Ferguson was credited with the Rebels second goal… Five minutes after that both Brayden McNabb and Matt Fraser lost a battle for the puck in the Ice corner to Turner Elson. He fed Brett Ferguson who then beat Lieuwen high on the glove side… After a scoreless second period the Rebels got a power play opportunity halfway through the third with Jesse Ismond off for slashing. After throwing the puck around like it was on a string rookie D-man Matthew Dumba wired a wristshot from the same spot Ferguson did it two periods earlier, over the glove of Lieuwen to make it 4-0… Justin Weller got his 4th of the season on a slapshot from the top of the right circle that beat Lieuwen through the legs to make it 5-0… James Martin spoiled Darcy Kuemper’s shutout bid with an Ice power play goal with three minutes left in the game but the Rebels would have the last laugh with a late 2-on-1 goal by Locke Muller ended the laugher at 6-1.
The Fight – After checking Brendan Hurley dangerously into the boards that wasn’t called Jagger Dirk challenged Weller to a tussle. Dirk landed a couple of straight rights but give Weller the decision.
The Posts – Both Hayden Rintoul and Erik Benoit hit posts on this night. As you might have surmised, there weren’t a lot of positives at the Rec Plex Saturday.
The Lament – As one of the two or three WHL arenas left without a video scoreclock, imagining whether or not the puck went in while the off-ice officials look at it just doesn’t cut it.
The Weather – The storm that cancelled the game in Medicine Hat between the Tigers and the Broncos also delayed the referees from getting to the game on time. The game started at 7:30 though the Ice played the first period like they didn’t get the message.
The Crowd – 2542
The Skinny – Kootenay drops to 27-12-1-2 and now only two points clear of the Rebels in the Central. Clearly, after this night and the collapse in Red Deer before Christmas in which the Ice blew a three-goal lead, Kootenay’s going to have to make some major adjustments in the gameplan. Whether or not that involves roster changes will have to wait until prior to Monday at 3PM, the WHL trade deadline.
Up Next – The Oil Kings on Wednesday for a rare day game in Edmonton. Note the start time of 11:30AM.
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Alex Petrovic
2. Brett Ferguson – four point night
3. Mathew Dumba – Hard to believe he’s only 16
Rebels 6 @ Ice 1
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Kootenay Ice and the Red Deer Rebels, January 8, 2011;
Brett Ferguson scored two goals and had two assists and was a plus-five on the night as the Red Deer Rebels hammered the Kootenay Ice 6-1 in WHL action Saturday night.
The Rebels took a 3-0 first period lead on goals by Alex Petrovic and two by Ferguson before the game was 15 minutes old. After a scoreless second period goals by Matthew Dumba and Justin Weller made it 5-0 before James Martin's 7th of the season broke Darcy Kuemper's shutout bid with 3:05 remaining. The Rebels added one more by Locke Muller for good measure to make the final 6-1.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 of 23 shots to get the win while Nathan Lieuwen turned aside only 13 of 19 shots in wearing the loss.
First Period
1. Red Deer, Petrovic 6 (Archer, Persson) 4:52
2. Red Deer, Ferguson 9 (Dumba) 10:42
3. Red Deer, Ferguson 10 (Elson) 14:43
Penalties -- Weller RD (delay-of-game) 6:28, Pearce Ktn (hooking) 8:12.
Second Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- Leach Ktn (tripping) 0:25, Kudrna RD (hooking) 4:13, Petrovic RD (roughing) 6:27, Leach Ktn (tripping) 9:13, Archer RD (slashing) 10:19, Kambeitz RD (high-sticking) 18:03,
Third Period
4. Red Deer, Dumba 10 (Ferguson, Archer) 10:41
5. Red Deer, Weller 4 (Kudrna, Nugent-Hopkins) 15:47
6. Kootenay, Martin 7 (Leach, Montgomery) 16:55 (pp)
7. Red Deer, Muller 2 (Ferguson) 19:45
Penalties -- Ismond Ktn (slashing) 8:39, Rintoul Ktn (cross-checking) 11:47, Robinson RD (high-sticking) 16:26, Dirk Ktn Weller RD (fighting) 16:48.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 8 8 7 - 23
Red Deer: 7 4 8 - 19
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L, 18-9-1-1 ); Red Deer Darcy Kuemper (W, 25-8-1-2).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-6
Red Deer: 0-5
Referee -- Dan Cowley, Reagen Vetter. Linesman -- Jim Maniago, Reid Anderson
Attendance -- 2542 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: John Niebrandt (healthy), Steele Boomer (leg - day-to-day).
Red Deer: Matt Pufahl, Josh Cowen (suspension), Byron Froese (suspension).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
What Happened – Their best goaltender stopped just 13 of 19 shots; their captain was dash-5 and their other best player, Kevin King, was a shadow of his former self. Did the Rebels play better? Sure, but they got off the bus with a chip on their shoulder and took it out on the home side.
The Goals – The Rebels opened the scoring on a goal that was at first signalled no-goal by the on-ice officials when it was thought the great shot by Rebel D-man Alex Petrovic hit the cross-bar and bounced out back to Nathan Lieuwen. The video replay official called down and after a short discussion, it was a goal…. Five minutes later a bouncing puck through a few bodies and legs, Brett Ferguson was credited with the Rebels second goal… Five minutes after that both Brayden McNabb and Matt Fraser lost a battle for the puck in the Ice corner to Turner Elson. He fed Brett Ferguson who then beat Lieuwen high on the glove side… After a scoreless second period the Rebels got a power play opportunity halfway through the third with Jesse Ismond off for slashing. After throwing the puck around like it was on a string rookie D-man Matthew Dumba wired a wristshot from the same spot Ferguson did it two periods earlier, over the glove of Lieuwen to make it 4-0… Justin Weller got his 4th of the season on a slapshot from the top of the right circle that beat Lieuwen through the legs to make it 5-0… James Martin spoiled Darcy Kuemper’s shutout bid with an Ice power play goal with three minutes left in the game but the Rebels would have the last laugh with a late 2-on-1 goal by Locke Muller ended the laugher at 6-1.
The Fight – After checking Brendan Hurley dangerously into the boards that wasn’t called Jagger Dirk challenged Weller to a tussle. Dirk landed a couple of straight rights but give Weller the decision.
The Posts – Both Hayden Rintoul and Erik Benoit hit posts on this night. As you might have surmised, there weren’t a lot of positives at the Rec Plex Saturday.
The Lament – As one of the two or three WHL arenas left without a video scoreclock, imagining whether or not the puck went in while the off-ice officials look at it just doesn’t cut it.
The Weather – The storm that cancelled the game in Medicine Hat between the Tigers and the Broncos also delayed the referees from getting to the game on time. The game started at 7:30 though the Ice played the first period like they didn’t get the message.
The Crowd – 2542
The Skinny – Kootenay drops to 27-12-1-2 and now only two points clear of the Rebels in the Central. Clearly, after this night and the collapse in Red Deer before Christmas in which the Ice blew a three-goal lead, Kootenay’s going to have to make some major adjustments in the gameplan. Whether or not that involves roster changes will have to wait until prior to Monday at 3PM, the WHL trade deadline.
Up Next – The Oil Kings on Wednesday for a rare day game in Edmonton. Note the start time of 11:30AM.
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Alex Petrovic
2. Brett Ferguson – four point night
3. Mathew Dumba – Hard to believe he’s only 16
Rebels 6 @ Ice 1
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Kootenay Ice and the Red Deer Rebels, January 8, 2011;
Brett Ferguson scored two goals and had two assists and was a plus-five on the night as the Red Deer Rebels hammered the Kootenay Ice 6-1 in WHL action Saturday night.
The Rebels took a 3-0 first period lead on goals by Alex Petrovic and two by Ferguson before the game was 15 minutes old. After a scoreless second period goals by Matthew Dumba and Justin Weller made it 5-0 before James Martin's 7th of the season broke Darcy Kuemper's shutout bid with 3:05 remaining. The Rebels added one more by Locke Muller for good measure to make the final 6-1.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 of 23 shots to get the win while Nathan Lieuwen turned aside only 13 of 19 shots in wearing the loss.
First Period
1. Red Deer, Petrovic 6 (Archer, Persson) 4:52
2. Red Deer, Ferguson 9 (Dumba) 10:42
3. Red Deer, Ferguson 10 (Elson) 14:43
Penalties -- Weller RD (delay-of-game) 6:28, Pearce Ktn (hooking) 8:12.
Second Period
No Scoring.
Penalties -- Leach Ktn (tripping) 0:25, Kudrna RD (hooking) 4:13, Petrovic RD (roughing) 6:27, Leach Ktn (tripping) 9:13, Archer RD (slashing) 10:19, Kambeitz RD (high-sticking) 18:03,
Third Period
4. Red Deer, Dumba 10 (Ferguson, Archer) 10:41
5. Red Deer, Weller 4 (Kudrna, Nugent-Hopkins) 15:47
6. Kootenay, Martin 7 (Leach, Montgomery) 16:55 (pp)
7. Red Deer, Muller 2 (Ferguson) 19:45
Penalties -- Ismond Ktn (slashing) 8:39, Rintoul Ktn (cross-checking) 11:47, Robinson RD (high-sticking) 16:26, Dirk Ktn Weller RD (fighting) 16:48.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 8 8 7 - 23
Red Deer: 7 4 8 - 19
Goal -- Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L, 18-9-1-1 ); Red Deer Darcy Kuemper (W, 25-8-1-2).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-6
Red Deer: 0-5
Referee -- Dan Cowley, Reagen Vetter. Linesman -- Jim Maniago, Reid Anderson
Attendance -- 2542 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: John Niebrandt (healthy), Steele Boomer (leg - day-to-day).
Red Deer: Matt Pufahl, Josh Cowen (suspension), Byron Froese (suspension).
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
The Score - Ice/Warriors
The Score – Kootenay 3 – Moose Jaw 1
What Happened – Kootenay outplayed a road-weary Moose Jaw club in the first period and held off the Warriors the rest of the way.
The Goaltender – Former Ice netminder Thomas Heemskerk put on a clinic in the first period, stopping 21 of 23 shots. This could’ve been over in a hurry if not for Heemskerk’s heroics.
The Goaltender Part II – Ice back goaltender Brett Teskey got the start against a tough Warrior club just three points back of the Ice in the Eastern Conference standings in a bit of an eyebrow-raising decision by Coach Kris Knoblauch. The coach must’ve played a hunch though as Teskey was solid to finish the game with his 8th win of the season. Though, to be honest, the hunch could’ve also been the 10 goals that got by Lieuwen in the two previous outings against the Jaw, both loses in the Saskatchewan city. So we’ll drop the ‘showcase’ theory for Teskey’s start against the Warriors. He wasn’t tested much in the first but held his ground and was solid in the last two periods to get the win.
Fraser – The Ice 20-year-old left during the warm-up after taking a puck in the wrist and missed the entire first period. He returned to score the empty-netter.
The Change – With 30 seconds left in the second Heemskerk was pulled by Warrior coach Dave Hunchak in a move more to get a defacto ‘time-out’ as his club started a five-on-three. After stopping 26 shots to that point the former Ice tender wasn’t getting pulled for his performance, to be sure.
The Turning Point – The aforementioned two-man advantage continued on to the start of the third period but the road-weary Warriors couldn’t convert. Teskey was there when called upon and when he wasn’t his D-men clogged lanes and blocked shots.
The Interference – Yes, Heemskerk was front and center on this night. When he wasn’t stopping pucks with some great saves Friday he was getting contacted by some former teammates in his crease. Three times he drew goaltender interference penalties. Only once did he join his former teammate (or a designate did) in the box for embellishment, the last of which sent Ice forward Drew Czerwonka nearly over the edge – who was fingered twice for the infraction.
The Crowd – 2399 – the holidays are over and, so it seems, are the bigger crowds. Really, would the addition of a Schenn or an Eakin as the trade deadline nears – superstars to bolster the line-up in a WHL championship run – make a difference in the crowds? I don’t know the answer to that question.
The Skinny – Kootenay improves to 27-11-1-2 and have won three straight, good for 57 points and second in the Eastern Conference behind Saskatoon, the WHL and first in the Central. They got help last night with the Rebels losing in a shootout to Regina and the Tigers getting smoked in Swift Current 5-0.
Up Next – The Rebels, no doubt in a surly mood after last night’s loss, make their way here Saturday night.
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Kevin King – Wicked shot was the game-winner
2. Thomas Heemskerk – If not for him this one is over fast.
3. Luke Paulsen – Notched first goal and is quickly moving up the depth chart on the Ice blueline
Warriors 1 @ Ice 3
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Kootenay Ice. January 7, 2011;
Kevin King scored the eventual game-winner with 8 seconds left in the first period as the Kootenay Ice defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-1 in WHL action Friday night.
The Ice opened the scoring on the power play when Luke Paulsen ripped his third of the season past former Ice goaltender Thomas Heemskerk to give the Ice a 1-0 lead. With the Warriors on the power play Joe Antilla intercepted an errant Warrior pass, fed King who skated the length of the ice and ripped his 18th of the year past Heemskerk.
The Warriors got back in the game playing four-on-four in the second when Spencer Edwards notched his 19th of the year 8:31 into the period.
Matt Fraser got the empty-net goal with 14 seconds left to seal the Ice win.
Brett Teskey stopped 24 of 25 shots to get the win while Thomas Heemskerk, who kept his team in the game with 21 saves in the first period alone, stopped 35 of 37 shots in taking the loss.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Paulsen 3 (Ismond, Antilla) 17:30 (pp)
2. Kootenay, King 18 (Antilla) 19:22 (sh)
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (tripping) 1:55, Montgomery Ktn (boarding) 8:03, Honesjsek MJ (holding) 10:08, Hood MJ (slashing) 14:27, Kornelsen MJ (hooking) 17:14, Edwards MJ Ismond Ktn (fighting) 18:07, Hurley Ktn (goaltender interference) 19:18.
Second Period
3. Moose Jaw, Edwards 19 (McIlrath, Edmundson) 8:31
Penalties -- Czerwonka Ktn (goaltender interference) Heemskerk MJ (unsportsmanlike - diving; served by Grant) 8:14, Howden MJ (roughing) 8:50, Paulsen Ktn (hooking) 18:48, King Ktn (roughing) 19:31.
Third Period
4. Kootenay, Fraser 18 (Ismond, Czerwonka) 19:46 (en)
Penalties -- Paradis MJ (holding) 2:31, Beach MJ (unsportsmanlike - diving) 6:52, Czerwonka Ktn (goaltender interference) 7:51, Wyton MJ (dbl spearing, fighting) Benoit Ktn (slashing, fighting) 19:51.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 23 5 10 - 38
Moose Jaw: 4 14 7 - 25
Goal -- Kootenay: Brett Teskey (W, 8-2) Moose Jaw: Thomas Heemskerk (Stone - 19:30 of second; Heemskerk 20:00 of 3rd; L, 22-13-0-2).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-7
Moose Jaw: 0-6
Referee -- Ryan Thompson, Chris Crich. Linesman -- Jeff Jobson, Sean Donnelly.
Attendance -- 2399 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: John Niebrandt (healthy), Steele Boomer (leg - day-to-day).
Moose Jaw: Mackenzie Royer, Spencer Morse, Dallas Ehrhardt, Michal Hlinka,
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
What Happened – Kootenay outplayed a road-weary Moose Jaw club in the first period and held off the Warriors the rest of the way.
The Goaltender – Former Ice netminder Thomas Heemskerk put on a clinic in the first period, stopping 21 of 23 shots. This could’ve been over in a hurry if not for Heemskerk’s heroics.
The Goaltender Part II – Ice back goaltender Brett Teskey got the start against a tough Warrior club just three points back of the Ice in the Eastern Conference standings in a bit of an eyebrow-raising decision by Coach Kris Knoblauch. The coach must’ve played a hunch though as Teskey was solid to finish the game with his 8th win of the season. Though, to be honest, the hunch could’ve also been the 10 goals that got by Lieuwen in the two previous outings against the Jaw, both loses in the Saskatchewan city. So we’ll drop the ‘showcase’ theory for Teskey’s start against the Warriors. He wasn’t tested much in the first but held his ground and was solid in the last two periods to get the win.
Fraser – The Ice 20-year-old left during the warm-up after taking a puck in the wrist and missed the entire first period. He returned to score the empty-netter.
The Change – With 30 seconds left in the second Heemskerk was pulled by Warrior coach Dave Hunchak in a move more to get a defacto ‘time-out’ as his club started a five-on-three. After stopping 26 shots to that point the former Ice tender wasn’t getting pulled for his performance, to be sure.
The Turning Point – The aforementioned two-man advantage continued on to the start of the third period but the road-weary Warriors couldn’t convert. Teskey was there when called upon and when he wasn’t his D-men clogged lanes and blocked shots.
The Interference – Yes, Heemskerk was front and center on this night. When he wasn’t stopping pucks with some great saves Friday he was getting contacted by some former teammates in his crease. Three times he drew goaltender interference penalties. Only once did he join his former teammate (or a designate did) in the box for embellishment, the last of which sent Ice forward Drew Czerwonka nearly over the edge – who was fingered twice for the infraction.
The Crowd – 2399 – the holidays are over and, so it seems, are the bigger crowds. Really, would the addition of a Schenn or an Eakin as the trade deadline nears – superstars to bolster the line-up in a WHL championship run – make a difference in the crowds? I don’t know the answer to that question.
The Skinny – Kootenay improves to 27-11-1-2 and have won three straight, good for 57 points and second in the Eastern Conference behind Saskatoon, the WHL and first in the Central. They got help last night with the Rebels losing in a shootout to Regina and the Tigers getting smoked in Swift Current 5-0.
Up Next – The Rebels, no doubt in a surly mood after last night’s loss, make their way here Saturday night.
Rec Plex Three Stars
1. Kevin King – Wicked shot was the game-winner
2. Thomas Heemskerk – If not for him this one is over fast.
3. Luke Paulsen – Notched first goal and is quickly moving up the depth chart on the Ice blueline
Warriors 1 @ Ice 3
CRANBROOK, B.C. - Western Hockey League summary for regular season game between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Kootenay Ice. January 7, 2011;
Kevin King scored the eventual game-winner with 8 seconds left in the first period as the Kootenay Ice defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-1 in WHL action Friday night.
The Ice opened the scoring on the power play when Luke Paulsen ripped his third of the season past former Ice goaltender Thomas Heemskerk to give the Ice a 1-0 lead. With the Warriors on the power play Joe Antilla intercepted an errant Warrior pass, fed King who skated the length of the ice and ripped his 18th of the year past Heemskerk.
The Warriors got back in the game playing four-on-four in the second when Spencer Edwards notched his 19th of the year 8:31 into the period.
Matt Fraser got the empty-net goal with 14 seconds left to seal the Ice win.
Brett Teskey stopped 24 of 25 shots to get the win while Thomas Heemskerk, who kept his team in the game with 21 saves in the first period alone, stopped 35 of 37 shots in taking the loss.
First Period
1. Kootenay, Paulsen 3 (Ismond, Antilla) 17:30 (pp)
2. Kootenay, King 18 (Antilla) 19:22 (sh)
Penalties -- McNabb Ktn (tripping) 1:55, Montgomery Ktn (boarding) 8:03, Honesjsek MJ (holding) 10:08, Hood MJ (slashing) 14:27, Kornelsen MJ (hooking) 17:14, Edwards MJ Ismond Ktn (fighting) 18:07, Hurley Ktn (goaltender interference) 19:18.
Second Period
3. Moose Jaw, Edwards 19 (McIlrath, Edmundson) 8:31
Penalties -- Czerwonka Ktn (goaltender interference) Heemskerk MJ (unsportsmanlike - diving; served by Grant) 8:14, Howden MJ (roughing) 8:50, Paulsen Ktn (hooking) 18:48, King Ktn (roughing) 19:31.
Third Period
4. Kootenay, Fraser 18 (Ismond, Czerwonka) 19:46 (en)
Penalties -- Paradis MJ (holding) 2:31, Beach MJ (unsportsmanlike - diving) 6:52, Czerwonka Ktn (goaltender interference) 7:51, Wyton MJ (dbl spearing, fighting) Benoit Ktn (slashing, fighting) 19:51.
Shots on goal by
Kootenay: 23 5 10 - 38
Moose Jaw: 4 14 7 - 25
Goal -- Kootenay: Brett Teskey (W, 8-2) Moose Jaw: Thomas Heemskerk (Stone - 19:30 of second; Heemskerk 20:00 of 3rd; L, 22-13-0-2).
Power Plays -- (goals-chances)
Kootenay: 1-7
Moose Jaw: 0-6
Referee -- Ryan Thompson, Chris Crich. Linesman -- Jeff Jobson, Sean Donnelly.
Attendance -- 2399 (4264)
Scratches --
Kootenay: John Niebrandt (healthy), Steele Boomer (leg - day-to-day).
Moose Jaw: Mackenzie Royer, Spencer Morse, Dallas Ehrhardt, Michal Hlinka,
Summary courtesy Jeff Bromley of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman
Monday, January 3, 2011
Back from the holidays....
Back from the break now that the bright lights of the holiday season will turn into the long winter nights. At least the hockey isn't as filling as the turkey and like most, I haven't had my fill yet...
That was arguably the most disapointing effort from a Team USA club that I've seen in a long time. If not for USA Goaltender Jack Campbell this one would've been a laugher. Canada-Russia Wednesday night.
The Rainy Classic New Year's Day was, well, rather disapointing. If you had the chance to catch HBO's 24/7 lead-up to the Ovechkin-Crosby battle it was much better. Finally, the NHL does something right in the marketing department a la NFL Films and gets HBO to put together more of a classic than the actually game was.
Coming back home now...
Kootenay improved their Christmas record to 3-1 with a 2-1 win over the Oil Kings in Edmonton Sunday. Brayden McNabb, with his 9th, and Matt Fraser with his 17th got the goals for the Ice while Michael St. Croix (21) broke Nathan Lieuwen's shutout bid in the last minute of the game. Highlites are here. Overall the Ice sit in first place in the Central and second in the Eastern Conference with a 26-11-1-2 record and 55 points, four back of the Saskatoon Blades and two up on the Winterhawks for second overall in the WHL.
Besides the usual internet chatter the the trade rumour-mill hasn't kicked into overdrive as of yet and really nothing new to report.
As the WHL Deadline looms in just over a week the rich have got richer. Less than a week after they paid a King's ransom for Trail product Craig Cunningham from the Vancouver Giants, the Portland Winter Hawks got even stronger today with the addition of NCAA-jumper Will Wrenn of Anchorage, Alaska who ditched Denver University for Stumptown. Are the Winterhawks done? They still have a 20-year-old spot to fill if they want.
That was arguably the most disapointing effort from a Team USA club that I've seen in a long time. If not for USA Goaltender Jack Campbell this one would've been a laugher. Canada-Russia Wednesday night.
The Rainy Classic New Year's Day was, well, rather disapointing. If you had the chance to catch HBO's 24/7 lead-up to the Ovechkin-Crosby battle it was much better. Finally, the NHL does something right in the marketing department a la NFL Films and gets HBO to put together more of a classic than the actually game was.
Coming back home now...
Kootenay improved their Christmas record to 3-1 with a 2-1 win over the Oil Kings in Edmonton Sunday. Brayden McNabb, with his 9th, and Matt Fraser with his 17th got the goals for the Ice while Michael St. Croix (21) broke Nathan Lieuwen's shutout bid in the last minute of the game. Highlites are here. Overall the Ice sit in first place in the Central and second in the Eastern Conference with a 26-11-1-2 record and 55 points, four back of the Saskatoon Blades and two up on the Winterhawks for second overall in the WHL.
Besides the usual internet chatter the the trade rumour-mill hasn't kicked into overdrive as of yet and really nothing new to report.
As the WHL Deadline looms in just over a week the rich have got richer. Less than a week after they paid a King's ransom for Trail product Craig Cunningham from the Vancouver Giants, the Portland Winter Hawks got even stronger today with the addition of NCAA-jumper Will Wrenn of Anchorage, Alaska who ditched Denver University for Stumptown. Are the Winterhawks done? They still have a 20-year-old spot to fill if they want.
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