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.