Kootenay Kuts 4

ICE have cut 4 players to get to their final roster of 22. 13 forwards, 7 defense and 2 goalies.
Released were Ales Frieb, Kris Foucault, Jordan Bauer and Joey Leach.

20 – Frere, Bailey, Barteaux,
19 – Negrin, Sylvester, Stephens, Stickland,
18 – Heemskerk, Fraser, King, Boomer, Pacovsky,
17 – Lieuwen, McNabb, Rintoul, Machacek, Cassivi, Ismond, Antilla,
16 – Vanscourt, Czerwonka, Reinhart,

Forwards - Bailey, Sylvester, Stephens, Stickland, Fraser, King, Pacovsky, Boomer, Cassivi, Ismond, Antilla, Czerwonka, Reinhart,
Defense - Frere, Barteaux, Negrin, McNabb, Rintoul, Machacek, Vanscourt,
Goalies - Heemskerk, Lieuwen,

10 Things I Think I Think

1. I think it must be tough to be an WHL General Manager and spend all summer trying to plan your roster and have so many variables out of your control.
(a) over-agers - until they're all returned from pro camps you have no idea what your options are. It would be great to have the summer to make some roster moves but can't until you know for sure who is coming back. Look at Spokane who had defenseman Trevor Glass start the season with the Chiefs and then was invited to an AHL camp. Is he coming back?
(b) Europeans - the Import Draft sees most teams draft players they've never seen in person and are relying on agents, scouts and NHL people for advice. Will they show up? Will they be able to play in the WHL when they do arrive? What do you do if they can't compete at this level? How about Everett who thought they had their 2 Imports returning from last year. They both stayed home and the Silvertips didn't find out until 2 months after the Import Draft in which they made no selections.
(c) NHL - more and more 18 & 19-year-olds are cracking NHL rosters. BUT they could still be sent back. Right now it's affecting Saskatoon (Colton Gillies), Red Deer (Brandon Sutter), Chilliwack (Oscar Moller), Toronto (Luke Schenn), Everett (Kyle Beach), Lethbridge (Luca Sbisa) and Seattle (Thomas Hickey).
2. I think I will continue to not mention the CHL Top 10 rankings. It's a great idea to create a weekly listing of the Junior Leagues but all they appear to do is look at the winning percentages and not strengths of the teams.
3. I think the ICE have some great options as they prepare to announce their Captain and Assistants.
4. I think the host site for the 2010 Memorial Cup is Brandon's to lose. The other bids will be from Everett and Kelowna (who hosted in 2004). The decision will be made in October. The last time it was held in the East Division was 2001 in Regina. The last time a Central team was the host was 1974 in Calgary. Brandon co-hosted with Regina in 1980.
5. I think you should know the ICE attendance is down 10% from last year. Of the 22 teams they are ranked 17th in average attendance.
22. Seattle 0 (yet to have a home game)
21. Prince Albert 2185
20. Swift Current 2267
19. Moose Jaw 2421
18. Portland 2528
17. Kootenay 2646
16. Prince George 3121
15. Medicine Hat 4006
6. I think the some of the best point-producing defenseman in the NHL played in the WHL. Dion Phaneuf, Mike Green, Scott Niedermayer, Cam Barker, Shea Weber, Jay Bouwmeester, Wade Redden, Bryan McCabe, Braydon Coburn, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Zdeno Chara, Alexander Edler, Dan Hamhuis and Derek Morris. Almost all of which have played games in Cranbrook over the years.
7. I think the Central Division looks very good top-to-bottom.
8. I think my pre-season pick for a Cubs-Angels World Series is looking solid. I never get baseball predictions right so I won't bet the house just yet.
9. I think most people are debating Crosby-Ovechkin-Malkin for the 1st overall pick in their upcoming NHL Drafts.
10. I think the NFL standings seem wrong with Buffalo 4-0 & Tennessee 4-0 in 1st place and Indianapolis 1-2 & Seattle 1-2 not in 1st.

Edmonton 2 Kootenay 1

Cranbrook, BC – Edmonton scored the game winner on a 3rd period power-play in a 2-1 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL action on Sunday night.

Edmonton opened the scoring as Craig McCallum was left alone near the net and converted on a feed from Brenden Dowd.
Dowd leads the WHL in scoring with 9 points.
ICE tied it late in the 2nd period on a power-play with Andrew Bailey scoring on a backhand shot after finding a loose puck in the slot. The goal ended an 0/29 stretch on their power-play.
Edmonton regained the lead on the power-play as Brent Raedeke got a loose puck and scored on backhand shot.

Oil Kings goalie Cam Lanigan made his 1st WHL start and earned the win with 25 saves.

The crowd was the smallest to see a regular season game in Cranbrook.

The ICE have 26 players on their roster and will make 3-4 cuts this week. They’ll host Swift Current & Kelowna on Saturday and Sunday.

Game Summary
Edmonton 2-2-1-0 Kootenay 2 2-0-2

1st Period
No Scoring
Penalties – McNabb Ktn (delay of game puck over glass) 10:13, Hlookof Edm (holding) 18:38, Nichol Edm (delay of game puck over glass) 19:17.
2nd Period
1. Edmonton, McCallum 1 (Dowd, Niegum) 3:22
2. Kootenay, Bailey 1 (Negrin, McNabb) 15:57 pp
Penalties – Sylvester Ktn (interference) 4:10, Nichol Edm (tripping) 11:45, Breitkruz Edm (slashing) 15:20.
3rd Period
3. Edmonton, Raedeke 2 (Pysyk, Vincour) 9:07 pp
Penalties – Bailey Ktn (delay of game puck over glass) 8:15, Hlookof Edm (hooking) 15:15, Breitkruz Edm (fighting major) McNabb Ktn (fighting major) 20:00.
Shots on goal by
Edmonton – 4 - 6 – 5 = 15
Kootenay – 9 – 10 – 7 = 26
Goal (shot-saves) – Edmonton: Cam Lanigan (W 1-0-0-0) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L 0-2-0-1)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Edmonton: 1/3 Kootenay: 1/6
Referees – Trevor Hanson, Ryan Thomson
Linesmen – Michael Boisvert, Jim Maniago
Attendance – 2,468

Calgary 3 Kootenay 2 SO

The Kootenay ICE scored 2 3rd period goals to force overtime but lost 1-0 in the shootout. Ian Barteaux & Kevin King (with their goalie on the bench) scored the goals.
ICE are now 0-2 in shootouts are 0/7 in their attempts.
Power-play is 0/25 in it's last 4+ games.
ICE outshot the Hitmen 31-22. They have outshot their oppenents in every game.
The club should be 6-0, at the very least 5-1.
John Negrin had an assist in his return and was on the ice for the other ICE goal.
Thomas Heemskerk made back-to-back starts, 1st time the club has done that this season.
Hitmen defenseman Alex Plante returned from Oiler's camp. He had asked to be traded from the Hitmen. Either they mended fences or Plante was asked to play so they can market him to other teams.
3rd game in 3 nights as they host Edmonton tonight at 6.

Kootenay 3 Calgary 1

Cranbrook, BC – The Kootenay ICE ended a 3-game losing slide with a 3-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen in WHL action on Friday night.

ICE opened the scoring while shorthanded as Dustin Sylvester finished off a 2-on-1 break after receiving a pass from Michael Stickland.
Hitmen tied it early in the 2nd on a power-play as Kyle Bortis scored on a 2-on-0 break after receiving a pass from Brandon Kozun.
ICE regained the lead 2-1 as Jesse Ismond redirected a point pass from Ian Barteaux.
Tylan Stephens added insurance into an empty net.

ICE will have John Negrin in the line-up on Saturday after returning from Calgary Flames camp.

The ICE will visit Calgary on Saturday and then host Edmonton on Sunday.

Game Summary
Calgary 2-2-0-0 Kootenay 2-2-0-1

1st Period
1. Kootenay, Sylvester 2 (Stickland, Frere) 16:32 sh
Penalties – Sonne Calg (roughing) Schultz Calg (interference) Fraser Ktn (roughing) 11:11, MacKenzie Calg (tripping) 14:12, Pacovsky Ktn (high sticking) 15:07, King Ktn (high sticking) 19:03, Schultz Calg (fighting major) Barteaux Ktn (fighting major) 20:00.
2nd Period
2. Calgary, Bortis 1 (Kozun, Seabrook) :44 pp
3. Kootenay, Ismond 2 (Barteaux, Cassivi) 8:15
Penalties – Maetche Calg (delay of game puck over glass) 5:07, Barteaux Ktn (holding) 8:55, Barteaux Ktn (roughing) 11:32, Schultz Calg (charging) 18:26.
3rd Period
4. Kootenay, Stephens 2 (King, Bailey) 18:58 en
Penalties – King Ktn (holding) 9:06, Stephens Ktn (tripping) 11:06, MacDonald Calg (roughing, fighting major) Cassivi Ktn (instigator, fighting major, misconduct) 14:15, Postma Calg (delay of game puck over glass) 16:37.
Shots on goal by
Calgary - 5 - 5 - 7 = 17
Kootenay – 13 – 13 – 15 = 41
Goal (shot-saves) – Calgary : Dan Spence (L 2-2-0-0) Kootenay: Thomas Heemskerk (W 2-1-0-0)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Calgary: 1/6 Kootenay: 0/5
Referees – Russ Berdusco, Curtis Howe
Linesmen – Kelly Reitenbach, Matthew Barker
Attendance – 2,781

3 in 3

4 times this season the ICE will play 3 games in 3 nights and the 1st time is this weekend.
Friday they host Calgary (1st of 8 meetings), Saturday they visit the Hitmen and Sunday they host Edmonton (1st of 6 meetings).
Friday's game will see the Sylvester brothers play against each other for the 1st time. Dustin Sylvester will play his 1st home game of the season while 16-year-old Cody plays on the Hitmen's 4th line.
The ICE have 4 Calgary born players. (Rintoul, Foucault, Stephens & King)
The club is still without John Negrin who is expected to play a preseason game with the Flames on Friday. In a perfect world he would join the ICE on Saturday in Calgary and play the remaining 2 games.
Once he is back the club will reduce the roster by 3-4 players and then will eventually name their Captain & Assistants.

Red Deer 3 Kootenay 1

Red Deer goalie Morgan Clark made 41 saves in a 3-1 win over the Kootenay ICE. Dustin Sylvester scored the only goal on a penlaty shot. He is the 6th in team history to score a penalty shot goal in a regular season game. (Curtis Billsten, Duncan Milroy, Richard Hamula, Mike Comrie, Zdenek Blatny)
The ICE have registered over 40 shots on goal in 3 of their 4 games.
If the clubs keeps up that kind of effort the good results will soon follow.

ICE Alumni Canada West POW

Freshman forward Steve DaSilva of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies has been named the Canada West Hockey Player of the Week for the week ending September 21st, 2008.
DaSilva, a product of Saskatoon, SK, notched four goals and five points in two games on the weekend to lead all scorers at the Huskie Hockey Classic tournament in Saskatoon.
The 21-year-old forward notched a goal and an assist in a 4-3 loss to the Alberta Golden Bears in the tournament opener on Friday night. He followed up with a hat trick, including the game-winner in the dying moments of the third period, to lead the Huskies to a 4-3 win over the Regina Cougars on Saturday.
DaSilva played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Kootenay Ice. He led the team in scoring during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, notching 78 goals and 181 points in 139 games over those two seasons.

10 Things I Think I Think

1. I think with the NHL teams holding their training camps a week later than usual has really hurt all teams in the CHL. Everyone is affected and most games felt like preseason games.

2. I think because of players missing to NHL camps, teams should wait a couple of games before raising their banners. On Friday in Lethbridge there were only 9 players on their roster that were a part of last years' team. Sure it was great for the fans but having the key players from last years' long run would have been more special.

3. I think it was great growing up in Saskatchewan and listening to the radio every Sunday to hear Ron Lancaster lead the Riders to a another 4th quarter come-from-behind win.

4. I think it would have been tough to travel on the bus in the WHL in the 70's. These days some teams have satellite TV, cell phones and Internet access while traveling. Everyone needs to know everything right now.

5. I think I can't watch NASCAR anymore. The Chase for the Championship has wrecked everything. All year drivers' are just driving to qualify for the top 12 spots for a chance to win the title. The other 31 drivers are scared to crash one of those 12 cars so they're not responsible for them not winning a title. Winning races mean nothing or at last not as much as they should. Even the Bristol night race was boring.

6. I think the Ryder Cup is the best golf event to watch. It would be great to hear the American announcers comments if there was a European player acting like Boo Weekley.

7. I think it was disturbing to see the Riders' fans throw stuff at the BC Lions. But there must be more to the story. Someone must have did something to create the situation.

8. I think that summer wasn't long enough.

9. I think I am really looking forward to October baseball.

10. I think it's going to be different to see Kris Lazaruk in a Rocket's uniform on October 5th.

Lethbridge 1 Kootenay 0

Cranbrook, BC – Lethbridge goalie Juha Metsola made 29 saves in a 1-0 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL action on Sunday night.

Hurricanes’ rookie defenseman Brandon Yadlowski scored his 1st career WHL goal on the power-play with a wrist shot from the top of the circle.

The crowd was the smallest to ever see a regular season game at the Rec-Plex.

ICE will visit Red Deer on Tuesday and then host Calgary on Friday.

Game Summary
Lethbridge 2-0-0-0 Kootenay 1-1-0-1

1st Period
1. Lethbridge, Yadlowski 1 (Wright, Chorneyko) :56 pp
Penalties – Frieb Ktn (interference) :35, Boomer Ktn (hooking) 5:03, Fyten Leth (tripping) 15:29, McNabb Ktn (kneeing) 18:02.
2nd Period
No Scoring
Penalties – Braes Leth (hooking) 5:48, Wright Leth (boarding, fighting major) Boomer Ktn (instigator, fighting major, misconduct) 8:59, McNabb Ktn (holding) 10:31, Stevens Leth (roughing) 16:18, Bench Ktn (unsportsmanlike) 16:44, Fyten Leth (holding) 17:53.
3rd Period
No Scoring
Penalties – Ryckman Leth (holding) 6:46, Stickland Ktn (charging) 13:02, Yadlowski Leth (cross checking) 18:22.
Shots on goal by
Lethbridge – 8 – 8 – 9 = 25
Kootenay - 5 – 14 – 10 = 29
Goal (shot-saves) – Lethbridge: Juha Metsola (W 2-0-0-0) Kootenay: Thomas Heemskerk (L 1-1-0-0)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Lethbridge: 1/6 Kootenay: 0/6
Referees – Greg Sarauer, Graham Skilliter
Linesmen – Matt Pelzmann, Mathew Barker
Attendance – 2,489

ICE Trade Lazaruk

Trade was made Friday morning before the ICE got on the bus to go to Lethbridge. I did a quick interview with Kris and you'll hear his comments on Sunday's broadcast.

Kris Lazaruk to the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.

The roster has 26 players, two goaltenders, eight defenseman and 16 forwards.

Lethbridge 4 Kootenay 3 SO

Lethbridge goalie Juha Metsola made 41 saves in a 4-3 shoot-win over the Kootenay ICE. The ICE trailed all night by scores of 2-0, 3-1 and 3-2. Rookies Jesse Ismond and Dominik Pacovsky scored their 1st ever WHL goals while Tylan Stephens had the other.
Nathan Lieuwen was the starter as it looks like the club will rotate starts between the 2 young netminders.
Late in the 1st period Defenseman Cason Machacek blocked a shot with his chin, had a couple of teeth chipped and returned in the 2nd period. Fans are going to like his style of play.
The ICE were 1/8 on the power-play including a couple of 5-on-3's.
Pacovsky and Michael Stickland are tied for the team lead with 4 points after 2 games. Brayden McNabb leads the defensmen with 2 points.
Kevin King has been released by the Minnesota Wild and could play on Sunday. Dustin Sylvester has a hip injury as could return as early as Tuesday. Ian Barteaux has 1 game left in his 3 game suspension. Drew Czerwonka has 5 games left in his suspension.
Look for the ICE to make cuts to the roster when these guys return to the line-up.
ICE host Lethbridge Sunday at 6. Pre-Game Show on The Drive is at 5:30.

Stickland Ties Team Record

Michael Stickland became the 7th ICE player to score 4 goals in a game. The others ... Steve DaSilva, Ryan Russell, Dale Mahovsky, Mike Comrie, Scott Burt, Jay Henderson.

Kootenay 4 Spokane 2

Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forward Michael Stickalnd scored 4 goals in a 4-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs in WHL action on Thursday night.

Michael Stickland opened the scoring on a partial breakaway and a shot that hit the cross bar and danced across the line.
Stickland made it 2-0 on a power-play as he was left alone in front of the net and received a pass from Steele Boomer.
Chiefs Blake Gal scored his 1st WHL on a long high shot that deflected off a player’s arm and into the net.
Chiefs tied it 2-2 as Mitch Wahl found a bouncing puck near the crease and redirected it into the net.
Stickland completed the hat-trick as he found a rebound on a power-play.
Stickland added another into an empty net.

WHL Commissioner Ron Robison announced that the WHL 2008-09 season will be dedicated in the honour of Ed Chynoweth, who passed away in April, 2008. A special tribute involving members of the Chynoweth family took place prior the game. Ed Chynoweth was the principle builder of major junior hockey in Canada as President of the WHL and CHL over the past four decades. Throughout the season all players and officials helmets will display a decal with Ed’s initials, EC.

ICE will visit Lethbridge on Friday and host the Hurricanes on Sunday.

Scratches
Spokane – Wright, Falk (NHL), Spurgeon (NHL), Johnson (NHL), McCrae (NHL), Roman (NHL), Bowman (NHL),
Kootenay – Lazaruk, Barteaux (game 1 of 3 game suspension), Negrin (NHL), Sylvester (hip injury day-to-day), King (NHL), Czerwonka (game 1 of 7 game suspension from last year in Sask AAA Midget), Bauer,

Game Summary
Spokane 0-1-0-0 Kootenay 1-0-0-0

1st Period
N Scoring
Penalties – Cratsenberg Spok (kneeing) 8:27, Gal Spok (tripping) 8:38, Reddington Spok (holding) 9:45, Stickland Koo (interference) 14:12.
2nd Period
1. Kootenay, Stickland 1 (Bailey, Boomer) 4:24
2. Kootenay, Stickland 2 (Boomer, Pacovsky) 7:42 pp
3. Spokane, Gal 1 (Cowen) 8:48
4. Spokane, Wahl 1 (Koper, Glass) 12:54
Penalties – Letts Spok (hooking) 6:31, Baldwin Spok (holding) Stickland Koo (holding the stick) 12:22, Bailey Ktn (tripping) 14:23, McNabb Ktn (tripping) 16:23, Letts Spok (interference) 16:38, Letts Spok (delay of game puck over glass) 19:21.
3rd Period
5. Kootenay, Stickland 3 (3) (Pacovsky, McNabb) 1:14
6. Kootenay, Stickland 4 (4) (Bailey, Heemskerk) 19:34 en
Penalties – Leach Ktn (delay of game puck over glass) 12:26, Compton Spok (slashing) 14:29, Donaghy Spok (tripping) 17:15.
Shots on goal by
Spokane - 11 - 8 – 5 = 24
Kootenay – 13 – 18 – 9 = 40
Goal (shot-saves) – Spokane: Dustin Tokarski (L 0-1-0-0) Kootenay: Thomas Heemskerk (W 1-0-0-0)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Spokane: 0/4 Kootenay: 2/8
Referees – Pat Smith, Derek Zalaski
Linesmen – Jeff Jobson, Jim Maniago
Attendance – 2,845

Jeff H

ICE Radio

Again this season all ICE broadcasts are available on the internet.

visit ... http://www.thedrivefm.ca/ or http://www.kootenayice.net/

Don Murdoch is back for another year as the guest analyst.

Kyle Christensen & Jessica Jackson will handle the Post-Game interviews from both benches.

30-minute Pre-Game Show for home and away broadcasts and 20-30 minute Post-Game Show for all games.

For the Home Opener there will be player introductions starting at 7:20 followed by a tribute to the late Ed Chynoweth. Opening face-off at around 7:40.

Barteaux Gone for 3

ICE defenseman Ian Barteaux has received a 3-game league suspension for his boarding major penalty on the weekend. Since he is an over-ager the club will only be allowed to dress 2 over-agers for those 3 games. With John Negrin at Flames camp the ICE will have to dress 4 rookie defensemen for the 3 games.

Radio Play-By-Play Predictions

Again this year the radio guys have submitted their predictions for the coming season and the results are ...

East
1. Lethbridge
2. Brandon
3. Medicine Hat
4. Regina
5. Swift Current
6. Calgary
7. Kootenay
8. Saskatoon
9. Moose Jaw
10. Prince Albert
11. Edmonton
12. Red Deer

West
1. Spokane
2. Kelowna
3. Tri-Cities
4. Vancouver
5. Seattle
6. Kamloops
7. Chilliwack
8. Everett
9. Prince George
10. Portland

10 Things I Think I Think

Peter King covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and does a weekly 10 Things I Think I Think at si.com and I can't think of a better title. Until I do, I'll borrow his.

1. I think if you don't show up to the home opener on Thursday when they're doing a tribute to Ed Chynoweth then I don't want to talk to you for the rest of the season. Ceremonies will start around 7:20.

2. I think the ICE have to really like what they did at the 2006 Bantam Draft. 6 of their top 7 picks (Lieuwen, McNabb, Antilla, Rintoul, Cassivi & Ismond) will make the team this year and the other, Simon Skrudland, should be here next year.

3. I think the ICE have similar thoughts about the 2007 Bantam Draft as they'll start the year with 4 16-year-olds. (Czerwonka, Leach, Reinhart & Vanscourt)

4. I think the ICE have a hole in their depth chart of defenseman with 1 19-year-old (Negrin) and 0 18-year-olds.

5. I think after having a player selected in the NHL Draft 9 years in a row but being shut-out in 2008 the ICE will start a new streak this year. Look for a lot of NHL scouts at the Rec-Plex on a regular basis this season.

6. I think the ICE playing 7 games in September is a team record. I know it is, last year they played 6 games in September.

7. I think I agree with Assistant Coach Kris Knoblauch that The ICE may have been amung the league leaders for pretty goals last year but this season they'll need to have the gritty ones. Much like they did in the preseason.

8. I think the top 4 teams going into the season are Brandon, Lethbridge, Spokane & Kelowna.

9. I think I have no idea who is #5. Last year everyone thought Spokane and Lethbridge would be the teams to beat in 2009, but they reached the league final a year earlier. Who are this years' teams to blossom quicker than expected?

10. I think these are my non-hockey thoughts.
a. I hope Peter King has no copyright clauses for 10 Things I Think I Think.
b. Where is the McKeen's hockey guide and why is it 2-3 weeks later getting into stores around here?
c. Wish the guys who did Baseball Prospectus and Football Prospectus did one for hockey.
d. Can't wait for the new season of House. Time for House and Cuddy to stop the flirting.

Kootenay 6 Lethbridge 3 Exhibition game #4

Lethbridge - Kootenay ICE forward Jesse Ismond had 2 goals and 1 assist in a 6-3 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Tylan Stephens had 3 assists. Other goals from Kris Foucault, Michael Stickland, Michael Cassivi & Dominik Pacovsky.
ICE finish the preseason with a 2-2 record.

On his 1st shift ICE defenseman Ian Barteaux received a major and a game misconduct for a boarding penalty and the club had do go the distance with 5 defenseman. (3 17-year-olds and 2 16-year-olds)
Michael Stickland played defense in the final 2 periods.

Preseason Stats Leaders
Goals - 3 Ismond, 2 Machacek
Assists - 4 Antilla, 3 Stephens
Points - 5 Ismond, 4 Antilla, 4 Stephens
GAA - 1.33 Heemskerk

ICE Line-up
Goalies - Lieuwen, Heemskerk
Defense - Vanscourt, McNabb, Machacek, Rintoul, Leach, Barteaux
Forwards - Foucault, Rossignol (15-year-old, 2008 7th round Bantam pick from Cloverdale, BC) Ismond, Frieb, Czerwonka, Reinhart, Antilla, Bauer, Cassivi, Pacovsky, Stephens, Stickland
Not Dressed - Lazaruk, Frere, Fraser, Boomer, Bailey
NHL camps - Sylvester, King, Negrin
Hurricanes Line-up
Goalies - Metsola, Tadjdeh
Defense - Ryckman, Stevens (former ICE draft pick), Sutherland, Yadlowski, Versteeg, Alexiuk, Theriau
Forwards - Braes, Fyten, Moser, Ashton, Chorneyko, Taylor, Smuk, Castro, Brossoit,
Not dressed - Anderson, Sbisa, Bancks, Sceviour, Boychuk, King, Fadden, Wright, Iwanski, Orfino

Scoring Summary
1st Period
1. Lethbridge, Braes (Ashton, Alexiuk) 5:01 5-on-3 pp
2nd Period
2. Kootenay, Ismond 2 (Antilla, Stephens) 12:05
3. Kootenay, Stickland 1 (Ismond, Antilla) 16:35
4. Kootenay, Cassivi 1 (Vanscourt, Stephens) 17:40 pp
3rd Period
5. Kootenay, Ismond 3 (2) :58
6. Kootenay, Foucault 1 (Stephens) 2:42 pp
7. Kootenay, Pacovsky 1 (Vanscourt) 11:00 pp
8. Lethbridge, Ashton (Smuk, Alexiuk) 12:04
9. Lethbridge, Braes (2) (Fyten, Moser) 13:02
Shots on goal by
Lethbridge - 13 - 8 - 9 = 30
Kootenay - 6 - 16 - 10 = 32
Goal (shot-saves) – Lethbridge: Juha Metsola (26-32) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (19-20) Thomas Heemskerk (9:41 second) (8-10)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Lethbridge: 1/4 Kootenay: 3/10
Referee – Dan Cowley, Ryan Thompson
Linesmen – Brad Yoshida, Scott Pryor

Kootenay 6 Lethbridge 2 Exhibition Game #3

Cranbrook - ICE defenseman Cason Machacek had a Gordie Howe Hatitrick in a 6-2 win over Lethbridge. Machacek had 2 goals and 1 assist. Jesse Ismond and Drew Czerwonka each had 1 goal and 1 assist, while Joe Antilla had 2 assists. Other goals from Max Reinhart & Jordan Bauer.
ICE will visit Lethbridge on Saturday.
Listen for period reports on The Drive & B-104.
ICE Line-up
Goalies - Heemskerk, Lazaruk
Defense - Vanscourt, McNabb, Machacek, Rintoul, Frere, Leach
Forwards - Foucault, Fraser, Rossignol (15-year-old, 2008 7th round Bantam pick from Cloverdale, BC) Boomer, Ismond, Frieb, Czerwonka, Bailey, Reinhart, Antilla, Bauer, Cassivi
Not Dressed - Lieuwen, Stephens, Pacovsky, Stickland, Barteaux
NHL camps - Sylvester, King, Negrin
Hurricanes Line-up
Goalies - Anderson, Tadjdeh
Defense - Ryckman, Sutherland, Yadlowski, Versteeg, Alexiuk, Theriau
Forwards - Stevens (former ICE draft pick and former defenseman), Orfino, Braes, Iwanski, Fyten, Moser, Ashton, Chorneyko, Smuk, Castro
Not dressed - Metsola, Sbisa, Bancks, Sceviour, Boychuk, King, Reners, Fadden, Wright, Brossoit

Scoring Summary
1st Period
1. Kootenay, Machacek 1 (Czerwonka) 9:12
2nd Period
2. Kootenay, Machacek 2 (2) (Leach, Boomer) 2:05 pp
3. Lethbridge, Chorneyko (Theriau, Versteeg) 12:45 pp
4. Kootenay, Bauer 1 (Ismond) 13:30
5. Kootenay, Ismond 1 (Antilla, McNabb) 18:30 pp
3rd Period
6. Kootenay Czerwonka 1 (Fraser, Leach) 10:35 pp
7. Lethbridge Orfino (Smuk) 11:15
8. Lethbridge, Reinhart 1 (Antilla, Machacek) 18:29
Shots on goal by
Lethbridge - 3 - 14 - 6 = 23
Kootenay - 6 - 11 - 8 = 25
Goal (shot-saves) – Lethbridge: Brandon Anderson (11-13) Michael Tadjdeh (9:48 second)(8-12) Kootenay: Thomas Heemskerk (10-10) Kris Lazaruk (9:48 second) (11-13)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Lethbridge: 1/3 Kootenay: 3/10
Referee – Devin Klein
Linesmen – Mike Boisvert, Matthew Barker
Attendance – 562

ICE Young For Weekend

The Kootenay ICE will again suit-up a very young roster for their exhibition games on Friday and Saturday. Every potential rookie will play in both games except for the Europeans forwards Frieb & Pacovsky who may get one night off each.
Goalies Lazaruk, Heemskerk & Lieuwen should all see action.
All 4 young defensemen Rintoul, Vancourt, Machacek & Leach should dress for both games. McNabb could play both while Frere and Barteaux will probably rotate nights off.
Forwards Stickland, Stephens, Bailey, Fraser & Boomer may only play in one game.
Negrin, King & Sylvester are at or on their way to NHL camps.
The club may also have one of their 15-year-old prospects suiting up for a game this weekend and I'll have details on that later.
The Drive will have period reports on both games.

THN Rankings

The latest issue of The Hockey News has a Major Jr. Preview. Rob Vanstone, from the Regina Leader-Post, has ranked the 22 WHL teams. The ICE are rated 11th overall and 7th in the East Conference.
Yes the ICE will have a younger team this year but so will Calgary, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Edmonton and Red Deer. Thus, right now, the ranking seems fair.
Last year Brandon had a very young team and were a fun team to watch.
There is also a ranking of the top 10 draft prospects. No one from the ICE are listed but you have to think Nathan Lieuwen and Brayden McNabb are close and could be there by the end of the season.

The ICE host Lethbridge on Friday and will visit the Hurricanes on Saturday. Listen for period reports on The Drive.

Letter From A Former Captain

Ice Fans,

I would like to start off by saying that my time in Cranbrook with the Ice were the best four years of my life. There were so many positive experience's that not only helped me grow as a person but also as a hockey player. The people of Cranbrook watched me grow from a 17 year old grade 12 student to a 20 year old captain. There were many ups and downs along the way from not getting very much or even any ice time at all to being a guy who was expected to produce and play in all situations.
Some things I will never forget about Cranbrook is first off my billets, Garry and Joan Pitters for my first two years and then Alex and Heather Jensen for my final two years. Without those families my transition moving away from home would have been a lot more difficult, they made it so easy. I'll never forget my first goal against Red Deer in the Rec Plex against Gerry Festa. Also I'll never forget the atmosphere in the Rec Plex during my first year in the Western Conference Final against Kelowna when Martin Sagat scored with 3.1 seconds to tie the game and send it into overtime (it was so loud I remember not even being able to hear myself think) when Dale Mahovsky then scored to continue the series. Then there's the overtime game 7 to Calgary, sitting in the dressing room 10 minutes before the game hearing the sold out crowd chant ICE,ICE,ICE sent chills through my body. Of course I'll never forget my teammates, friendships that will last forever with these guys, and I couldn't have asked for better people to be associated with. Of course the Ice organization was always top notch in everything they did and I would like to thank them for everything and putting up with me for the four years.
As for life after junior hockey, I will be attending the University of Saskatchewan where I am enrolled into the Arts and Science program taking classes that will hopefully lead me to a degree in Kinesiology. Without the WHL scholorship program this might not be a route I would take but the program is amazing and it's a tough opportunity to turn down. I'd like to thank all the fans for helping make the program a success and sending me to school.
On a little side note I hope all Ice fans will become fans of the University of Saskatchewan Huskie hockey team. There are 5 former members of the Ice on the team. Casey Lee, Jeff Harvey, Zach Sim, Chad Greenan, and myself.
Hope you all have a good season and hopefully if Jeff Hollick will have me back I will update you all on how difficult it is to manage a full course schedual and also be part of the hockey team.

Steve Da Silva

Roster Update

ICE have 27 players on the roster.

3 Goalies - Kris Lazaruk (20), Thomas Heemskerk (18), Nathan Lieuwen (17)
8 Defensemen - Ian Barteaux (20), Eric Frere (20), John Negrin (19), Brayden Mcnabb (17), Hayden Rintoul (17), Cason Machacek (17), Joey Leach (16), Tyler Vanscourt (16)
16 Forwards - Andrew Bailey (20), Dustin Sylvester (19), Tylan Stephens (19), Michael Stickland (19), Ales Frieb (19), Matt Fraser (18), Kevin King (18), Steele Boomer (18), Kris Foucault (18), Dominek Pacovsky (18), Joe Antilla (17), Michael Cassivi (17), Jesse Ismond (17), Jordan Bauer (17), Drew Czerwonka (16), Max Reinhart (16)

Overagers - Lazaruk, Barteaux, Frere, Bailey

Usually the club has 22 players on their final roster but may go with 23 this season.

The club will be making a trade as they have 4 quality overagers and are only allowed 3. Based on the depth chart the club needs to keep the defensemen but have many options at forward and goaltending.

My rankings based on training camp and 2 preseason games.
Goalies - 1. Heemskerk 2. tie Liewen-Lazaruk
One has to go.
Defense - Top 4 are the vets Negrin, Barteaux, Frere & McNabb
5. Rintoul 6. Machacek 7. Leach 8. Vanscourt
All 8 could stay unless they trade for a defenseman. Negrin's expected long visit at Flames camp is a concern.
Forwards - 8 players who ended last season with the club lead the way in Bailey, Sylvester, Stephens, Stickland, Fraser, King, Boomer & Foucault. The 2 rookie imports Frieb and Pacovsky make it 10 guys who can all play in the top 3 lines.
That leaves 6 guys competing for 3 or 4 spots. If the club keeps the 2 16-year-olds in Reinhart & Czerwonka that leaves 4 17-year-olds Cassivi, Ismond, Bauer & Antilla battling for 1 or 2 spots.

Red Deer 2 Kootenay 1

The Rebels scored 2 3rd period goals to sweep the weekend series.
- ICE outshot the Rebels 20-6 in the 3rd period plus there was another 10 shots that missed the net and a couple of goal posts.
- The club went 0/15 on the power-play on the weekend but didn't really work on it at practice this week. With some many new players the focus was getting everyone used to the systems.
- Without Chad Greenan and Ben Maxwell the club is looking for a couple of new PP QB's.
- Both teams had about 10 players on their roster with WHL experience. ICE vets included Thomas Heemskerk, Nathan Lieuwen, Brayden McNabb, Ian Barteaux, Kevin King, Steele Boomer, Kris Foucault, Tylan Stephens, Andrew Bailey and Joe Antilla.
- It was a good weekend for the organization as to helping them decide their roster spots. Some of the new players made big strides in standing out in a positive way.
- Dustin Sylvester, John Negrin and Kevin King will now leave for NHL camps.
- Alumni Update - Chad Greenan is back from Germany and will attend the U of S with Steve DaSilva.
- Attendance around 450.

Red Deer 5 Kootenay 0 in Stettler, Alb.

The Kootenay ICE made a 7-hour bus trip to Stettler to play the Rebels in the 1st half of a home-and-home series. They'll play again at the Rec-Plex tonight.
- Of the players who played in the game the ICE had 7 guys who played in the WHL last year. Kris Lazaruk, Brayden McNabb, Eric Frere, Kris Foucault, Matt Fraser, Michael Stickland and Joe Antilla. You could also add to the list Drew Czerwonka who played 2 games last year. Nathan Lieuwen who played in 3 games was the back-up and didn't see any action.
- Rebels had 15 players who made appearances in the WHL last year.
- Majority of the ICE 17 shots on goal came on the power-play. The players are still a few practices and games away from being familiar with each other. The club showed a lot of effort but most of time were just running around and out of position. To be expected as they just had camp last week and this was their 1st preseason game.
- Dustin Sylvester, Kevin King and John Negrin should play tonight and then they'll head off to NHL camps which are starting so late this year most players around the WHL will miss the beginning of the regular season.
- 1st round bantam pick 15-year-old Brendan Hurley joined the club for this game and showed that he could be playing in the WHL this year. Rebels 1st overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a special talent and is scheduled to play again tonight.
- The club should be just as young again tonight as they have some tough decisions to make for the final cuts and they need to see them in game action.