Friday, January 30, 2009

Kootenay 3 Brandon 2

Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forward Kevin King had 3 assists in a 3-2 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings in WHL action on Friday night.

ICE opened the scoring as Ian Barteaux scored on a wrist shot from the blueline that sailed over the screened goalie’s glove hand.
Wheat Kings tied it 1-1 as the ICE misplayed the puck in their zone and Scott Glennie fired a wrist shot that went in off the cross bar.
ICE regained the lead on a power-play goal from Andrew Bailey who had an open net after a receiving perfect pass from Kevin King.
ICE made it 3-1 on a 5-on-3 power-play as Brayden McNabb scored on a hard slap shot that went in high on the glove side. The ICE were on a 2-man advantage after Brandon was called for too many men twice in 47 seconds.
In the 3rd period Andrew Clark scored on a power-play wrist shot that went through the goalies’ legs.

Brayden McNabb returned after missing 5 games with a concussion.
Goalie Nathan Lieuwen is now out indefinitely with a concussion. Tyler Vanscourt (shoulder 4-6 weeks), Steele Boomer (concussion indefinite) and Dustin Sylvester (ankle season ending) were the other ICE scratches.

Before game the ICE officially signed the new 15-year lease with the City of Cranbrook. In conjunction they’ll be lowering the season tickets for next season. The prices are the lowest in team history.
EARLY BIRD
Adults - $399
Seniors - $299
Students - $249
Youth - $199

The ICE will visit Spokane on Saturday.

Game Summary
Brandon 33-15-3-1 Kootenay 25-20-2-5

1st Period
1. Kootenay, Barteaux 5 (King, Antilla) 17:11
2. Brandon, Glennie 27 19:20
Penalties – Priestner Bran (delay of game not playing the puck) 4:39, Pacovsky Ktn (hooking) 13:36, Glennie Bran (delay of game puck over the glass) 20:00.
2nd Period
3. Kootenay, Bailey 22 (Barteaux, King) :19 pp
4. Kootenay, McNabb 6 (King, Rintoul) 13:04 pp
Penalties – Fox Bran (cross checking) 1:59, McNabb Ktn (tripping) 10:31, Bench Bran (too many men) 11:39, Bench Bran (too many men) 12:26, McNabb Ktn (holding) 19:45.
3rd Period
5. Brandon, Clark 30 (Fehr, Green) 18:32
Penalties – Erb Bran (boarding) 2:35, Cowan Bran (tripping) 14:32, Frere Ktn (holding) 17:50.
Shots on goal by
Brandon - 6 – 13 – 12 = 31
Kootenay – 12 - 6 - 6 = 24
Goal (shots-saves) – Brandon: James Priestner (L 12-6-1-1) Kootenay: Todd Mathews (W 7-9-0-2)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Brandon: Kootenay:
Referees – Pat Smith, Dan Cowley
Linesmen – Steve Cochrane, Scott Pryor
Attendance – 2,895

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Brandon @ Kootenay

The Kootenay ICE will host Brandon Friday at the Rec-Plex.
This is the 4th and final meeting of the year.
The Wheat Kings lead the series 2-1, with every game being a 1-goal decision and 2 games have gone to overtime shootouts.
The ICE have earned points in their last 4 games and are 6th in the conference. Brandon has lost 3 games in their last 19 and 2 have been in overtime. They’re 3rd in the conference.
Tylan Stephens and Jesse Ismond each have points in the last 8 games and both have 12 points during the streak.
Matt Lowry and Andrew Clark have combined for 17 points against the ICE this season.
ICE look to have a complete lineup as Brayden McNabb is expected to return after missing 5 games to a concussion.
The club has been involved 4 high scoring games in a row and have outscored their opponents 22-17 in those games.
Brandon is coming off back-to-back 2-1 wins in Red Deer and Edmonton.
ICE GM Jeff Chynoweth and Mayor Scott Manjak will sign the new lease at centre ice before the game. There will also be a special announcement for the fans.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Lease Signing

ICE GM Jeff Chynoweth and Mayor Scott Manjak will be signing the new 15-year lease at centre ice before Friday's game. There will also be a special announcement.
Don't be late.

Scoring Changes

As expected there were a couple of scoring changes in the game against Regina.
Tylan Stephens scored his 2nd career hat-trick as the Kevin King goal was switched to Stephens.
Ryan Fox had 2 goals and 1 assist as the Ismond goal was switched to Fox.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Kootenay 7 Regina 3

Cranbrook, BC – The Kootenay ICE scored 4 3rd period goals in a 7-3 win over the Regina Pats in WHL action on Tuesday night.

ICE opened the scoring on a disputed goal. Pats’ goalie Linden Rowat made a save on a long shot and wanted to have a faceoff, the referee said move the puck, and he threw it out in front of the net and Ryan Fox banged it right into the net.
ICE made it 2-0 as Rowat was behind his net to play the puck, Jesse Ismond took it away and found a wide open Andrew Bailey in the slot and his one-time shot went in off the goal post low on the glove side.
Pats got on the board as Brett Lefflers’ long shot beat Nathan Lieuwen on the stick side.
Pats tied the game 2-2 while shorthanded as Matt Robertson backhand shot went high on the glove side.
Regina made it 3-2 as Garrett Mitchell’s wrist shot went under the arm of the ICE goalie.
ICE changed goalies as Todd Mathews replaced Nathan Lieuwen.
ICE tied it 3-3 as Tylan Stephens deflected a point shot from Ian Barteaux.
Early in the 3rd period the ICE got the game winner from Kevin King.
Pats changed goalies as Damien Ketlo replaced Linden Rowat.
Joe Antilla made it 5-3 with a backhand deke.
Jesse Ismond made it 6-3 on a deflection.
Stephens scored his 2nd of the night to end the scoring

Max Reinhart returned to the line-up after missing 4 games with a shoulder injury.
Brayden McNabb missed his 5th game (concussion day-to-day), Tyler Vanscourt his 2nd game (shoulder 4-6 weeks), Dustin Sylvester 13th game (ankle indefinite) and Steele Boomer 10th game (concussion indefinite). ICE were 1 player short of a complete line-up.

The ICE will host Brandon on Friday.

Game Summary
Regina 22-24-1-5 Kootenay 24-20-2-5

1st Period
1. Kootenay, Fox 8:51
2. Kootenay, Bailey 21 (Ismond) 14:48
Penalties – Ismond Ktn (charging) 6:24, Pym Reg (check from behind) 11:38.
2nd Period
3. Regina, Leffler 27 (Dudas, Czibere) 1:44
4. Regina, Robertson 20 (Eberle) 7:25 sh
5. Regina, Mitchell 10 (Streuby, Teubert) 14:16
6. Kootenay, Stephens 18 (Barteaux, Antilla) 16:32
Penalties – Perrault Reg (hooking) 2:58, Streuby Reg (hooking) Czibere Reg (unsportsmanlike) 6:29, Barteaux Ktn (tripping) 16:46, Dudas Reg (charging) 18:39, Mitchell Reg Frere Ktn (fighting) 19:05.
3rd Period
7. Kootenay, King 14 (Stephens, Bailey) :56
8. Antilla 3 (Rintoul, King) 3:35
9. Ismond 10 (Fox) 4:43
10. Stephens (2) 19 (Fox, King) 5:45
Penalties -
Shots on goal by
Regina - 8 – 14 – 12 = 34
Kootenay – 13 – 12 – 6 = 32
Goal (shots-saves) – Regina: Linden Rowat (L 15-14-1-3) Damien Ketlo (:56 third) (6-3) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (18-15) Todd Mathews (W 6-9-0-2) (14:16 second) (16-16)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Regina: 0/4 Kootenay: 1/5
Referee – Graham Skilliter
Linesmen – Matthew Barker, Jim Maniago
Attendance – 3,558

Former ICE Goalie Coach/Scout Fired

The Chilliwack Bruins announced that General Manager Darrell May has been relieved of his duties effective immediately. The moves comes with the Bruins in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 14-31-2-4, six points out of a playoff spot.
Darryl Porter will serve as interim General Manager until a replacement is named.
From 96-01 May was the ICE goalie coach and from 96-98 he worked with ICE as a regional scout.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Regina @ Kootenay

The Kootenay ICE will host the Regina Pats Tuesday at the Rec-Plex.
The season series is tied 1-1.
The ICE earned 5 of a possible 6 points on the road last week.
Max Reinhart and Brayden McNabb will be gametime decisions.

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week’s action with a 23-20-2-5 record (13-9-1-2 at home, 10-11-1-3 on the road, 7-2-5 in overtime) and in seventh place in the EASTERN CONFERENCE and in tenth place overall in the WHL…This week the ICE will host REGINA (January 27) and BRANDON (January 30) before traveling to SPOKANE (January 31).

MAZDA NIGHT: When the ICE hosts the REGINA PATS on January 27 it will be MAZDA NIGHT…Fans in the attendance will have the opportunity to win a watch, mugs and many other items.

UNUSED SEASON TICKETS: Season Ticket Holders who have unused season tickets can exchange them for any regular season game at a cost of $3.00 per ticket…The unused tickets must have the ticket stub attached in order to be eligible…Tickets can be exchanged any time at the KOOTENAY ICE Office and Kootenay Collectibles.

SUPER SIX FLEX PACKS: The sale of SUPER SIX FLEX PAKS continues…You get six game certificates to use at your convenience – total flexibility…SUPER SIX FLEX PAKS are available in Adult, Senior, Student and Youth packages.

FAMILY PACKS: The ICE have FAMILY PACKS on sale for Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday home games during the 2008-2009 season…FAMILY PACKS are $45.00 and include two adult tickets, two youth or student tickets, a parking voucher, a game program voucher, and two McDonald Happy Meal vouchers…For more information, or to purchase a FAMILY PACK, call or visit the KOOTENAY ICE Office.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY is 13-0-1-0 when leading after the second period, 4-18-0-3 when losing and 6-2-1-2 when tied…The ICE are 15-2-1-1 when they score the first goal of the game and 8-18-1-4 when their opponent scores first…KOOTENAY is 17-13-2-4 when outshooting their opponent, 5-6-0-1 when being outshot and 1-1-0-0 when the shots are tied…RYAN FOX and TODD MATHEWS each recorded their first assists with the ICE against BRANDON on January 24…HAYDEN RINTOUL, who recorded his first WHL career hat trick against PRINCE ALBERT on January 21, tied a franchise record for the most points in one game by a defenseman with five against the RAIDERS (3-2-5)…RINTOUL is the second ICE defenseman in franchise history to record a hat trick in a game (STEVE MCCARTHY – 1998 – 1999) …ANDREW BAILEY, who recorded his 200 WHL point against SWIFT CURRENT on January 17, is tied for eighth in the League in power play goals with nine…TYLAN STEPHENS needs five more points to reach 100 in his WHL career.

SCORING STREAKS: JESSE ISMOND (2-6-8) and TYLAN STEPHENS (4-4-8) have each recorded at least a point in their last six games…ANDREW BAILEY (2-4-6) and JOE ANTILLA (1-3-4) have each recorded at least a point in their last three games.

INJURIES: STEELE BOOMER will be out of the KOOTENAY line up indefinitely with a concussion…DUSTIN SYLVESTER will be out of the ICE line up eight to ten weeks with an ankle injury…TYLER VANSCOURT will be out of the KOOTENAY line up four to six weeks with a shoulder injury…BRAYDEN MCNABB (concussion) and MAX REINHART (shoulder) will both be out of the ICE line up day to day.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 50 games of the 2007-2008 season the ICE were 29-16-4-1, after 51 games 29-17-4-1 and after 52 games 29-18-4-1.

UPCOMING WEEK:
Tuesday January 27 ICE vs. Regina 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Wednesday January 28 Practice 4:00 – 5:45 pm Cranbrook Rec Plex
Thursday January 29 Practice 4:00 – 5:45 pm Cranbrook Rec Plex
Friday January 30 ICE vs. Brandon 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Saturday January 31 ICE @ Spokane 8:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)

WEEK IN REVIEW:
Wednesday, January 21 – Kootenay 5 @ Prince Albert 4 – OT – Record 21-20-2-4 – Attendance: 1,931
Goals:
1 – Rintoul (4) from Antilla
2 – Rintoul (5) from Bailey
3 – Ismond (9) from Rintoul
4 – Stephens (15) from Bailey and Rintoul
5 – Rintoul (6) from Bailey
Goalies: Nathan Lieuwen (18 Saves, 4 GA), Todd Mathews (7 Saves, 0 GA)

Friday, January 23 – Kootenay 5 @ Regina 4 – SO – Record 22-20-2-4 – Attendance: 5,376
Goals:
1 – Bailey (19) from Ismond
2 – King (13) from Antilla and Stephens
3 – Stephens (16) from Barteaux and Frere
4 – Rintoul (7) from Bailey and Ismond
Goalie: Todd Mathews (36 Saves, 4 GA)

Saturday, January 24 – Kootenay 5 @ Brandon 6 – SO – Record 23-20-2-5 – Attendance: 4,107
Goals:
1 – Leach (1) from Ismond and Fraser
2 – Czerwonka (9) from Magnus and Fox
3 – Antilla (2) from Stephens
4 – Bailey (20) from Fraser and Barteaux
5 – Stephens (17) from Antilla and Mathews
Goalie: Todd Mathews (34 Saves, 5 GA)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Brandon 6 Kootenay 5 SO

The ICE earned 5 of a possible 6 points on their 3-game road trip. All 3 games went to overtime. Saturday the Wheat Kings beat the ICE 6-5 in a shootout. Joey Leach scored his 1st WHL goal before leaving the club to play for Tisdale in the Sask AAA Midget league. Tylan Stephens (1g 1a) and Jesse Ismond (1a) extended their point streaks to 7 games. Andrew Bailey, Drew Czerwonka & Joe Antilla had the other goals. The ICE were 1 player short of a complete line-up. Vanscourt, Boomer, Sylvester, McNabb & Reinhart are on the injured list. McNabb and Reinhart should retuurn this week. The ICE will host Regina on Tuesday.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Kootenay @ Brandon

The ICE are in Brandon to meet the Wheat Kings for the 3rd time this season. The series is tied 1-1 with the road team winning both games.
ICE are 7th in the conference, 1 point behind Swift Current and 2 begind Lethbridge. They are 2 points ahead of Regina & Edmonton and 4 ahed of Prince Albert.
Brandon is 8-0-2-1 in their last 11 home games and are 13-1-2 in their last 16 games to move up to 3rd in the conference.
The ICE could be 1 player short of a complete line-up as Tyler Vanscourt (shoulder 4-6 weeks) joins Max Reinhart, Brayden McNabb, Dustin Sylvester & Steele Boomer on the injured list.

Kootenay 5 Regina 4 SO

The Kootenay ICE gave up a 4-0 3rd period lead but won the SO 2-1 to win their 2nd road game in a row. Andrew Bailey, Tylan Stephens, Kevin King and Hayden Rintoul scored in regulation. Bailey and Dominik Pacovsky scored in the SO. Goalie Todd Mathews made 36 saves in the game plus 2 more in the SO.
Bailey is 1/9 in SO in his career. Pacovsky is now 3/5.
Stephens and Jesse Ismond have points in 6 straight games.
Tyler Vanscourt suffered a dislocated shoulder and is out 4-6 weeks.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Maxwell In WHL Alumni Spotlight



http://whl.ca/whl-alumni-spotlight---ben-maxwell-p127440

Ben Maxwell wowed Western Hockey League fans with his speed and tremendous offensive skills during his four-year career with the Kootenay Ice.
Now, the 20-year-old from North Vancouver, B.C., is making a name for himself as a go-to guy in his first season of professional hockey with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs.
Kootenay’s 1st round pick, 2nd overall, at the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft, Maxwell racked up 64 goals and 159 points in 210 regular-season games for the Ice from 2004 – 2008, helping the Ice to four straight seasons with 40 or more wins. The 6’0”, 177-lb pivot also added 10 goals and 23 points in 40 career WHL playoff games, and helped the Ice reach the Western Conference Championship series in 2005.
Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2nd round, 47th overall, at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Maxwell joins fellow WHL grads Shawn Belle, Ryan White, Ryan Russell and Kyle Chipchura among Canadiens’ prospects playing for the Bulldogs – the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate.
So far, it’s been smooth sailing for Maxwell in his first season of pro hockey. The talented centerman has racked up 12 goals and 29 points in 36 games to put him among the Bulldogs’ scoring leaders and the AHL’s rookie scoring leaders. In fact, Maxwell has impressed enough to earn a seven-game stint in the NHL with the Canadiens.
Catching Up With…Ben Maxwell
On making the jump to professional hockey…
“It’s obviously a huge step…boys to men. The good thing is that, having played in the WHL, I was better prepared to take that step. In the WHL, you’re playing the long schedule and playing against the best players in your age group, so it really helped me prepare for what I would face at the next level.”
On the adjustment to the AHL and NHL…
“The biggest thing is getting the confidence. I’m lucky to have been given plenty of opportunities to play and be on the ice, both in Hamilton and in Montreal, and I’ve tried to take advantage of those opportunities as best I can. Other than that, the biggest thing is that guys at this level are bigger, faster and stronger. It takes time to adjust, but the more you get to play, the easier it is to get used to it.”
On making his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens…
“I was really anxious to get the game going. Of course, the nerves were there and you’re excited to get in there for that first game. I felt very lucky to be given the chance to play and to just be there in the first place. It was so great to pull that Canadiens jersey on and then play my first shift in front of the fans in Montreal. It’s tough to take in at the time, but it was a great feeling.”
On his strong start to the AHL season…
“For me, this year was a year that I just wanted to stay healthy and play a full season. The last few years in Kootenay have been tough with me being injured and playing only half seasons. I worked really hard this summer to prepare and try and focus on my health. Again, though, I was given the opportunity to play a big role this season, and I have been able to help the team so far.”
On keeping up with the Ice…
“I keep in good touch. Obviously, the team has changed a lot and there is nobody left from when I played my 16-year-old season, but I made a ton of good friends during my time in Cranbrook, on and off the ice. I keep in touch with my billets and some of the people with the team, and I check to see how the team is doing from time to time.”
Jesse Watts,
whl.ca

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Kootenay @ Regina

The Kootenay ICE 3-game road trip continues Friday in Regina.
It’s the 2nd meeting of the season as the Pats beat the ICE 4-3 back on October 8th. The ICE are coming off a win in Prince Albert on Wednesday while the Pats swept and home-and-home against Moose Jaw on the weekend.
The ICE go into the weekend in 7th place in the conference, 1 point ahead of the Pats.
Tylan Stephens and Jesse Ismond each have 5 game point streaks. Ismond has 4 goals and 7 points during the streak while Stephens has 2 goals and 5 points.

10 Things I Think I Think

1. I Think the new lease agreement between the ICE and City of Cranbrook is great news at just the right time. With people in the community doing extra work to create bigger crowds there has been a very positive buzz at the Rec-Plex. Now this announcement will silence the critics who somehow invent negative rumours.
2. I Think there will more positive news about this agreement to announced in the coming months. Again it will be great news at the right time.
3. I Think the ICE have done a great job in finding players who compete on a regular basis. Hard work beat skill that doesn't work on most nights.
4. I Think the ICE will battle with Regina, Edmonton & Prince Albert for the final 2 playoff spots. ICE have 3 games with Regina, 2 with P.A. and 2 with Edmonton. The ICE 13 road games and 11 homes left.
5. I Think Edmonton has a tough stretch with 13 road games and 8 home games left.
6. I Think Regina has a good remaining schedule with 4 games left with Moose Jaw, a team they have beat 4 times already this season. Although the Pats have 3 games with Calgary and 4 against Swift Current.
7. I Think Prince Albert has 4 left with Moose Jaw, 3 against Brandon, 3 against Saskatoon and 4 against Swift Current.
8. I Think the teams that find ways to lose in OT and SO will earn enough extra points to make it into the top 8.
9. I Think if the WHL was ever to host an outdoor game, Regina, Calgary and Edmonton, with their football stadiums, would be the options.
10. I Think these are my non-hockey thoughts.
(a) I Think Roger Federer will beat Andy Murray for the Australian Open. In 4 sets.
(b) I Think the renovations made to the Prince Albert Radio booth make it the best place to call a game. The only place where I used to get closer to the action was in the Memorial Arena in Cranbrook.
(c) I Think think there should be standing ovation when the new lease agreement is signed at an upcoming ICE game at the Rec-Plex.
(d) I Think I can't wait to see some baseball preview magazines.
(e) I Think there will some news soon on a new baseball stadium in Cranbrook. To all working behind the scene, keep up the good work. It'll be worth it.
(f) I Think I remember when TV shows only had repeats during the summer. Now we go 4-5 weeks in a row without a new episode.
(g) I think it's bad news Jessica Jackson is moving to Lethbridge but good news to have Kyla Cornish back on the air.

Kootenay 5 Prince Albert 4 OT

Kootenay ICE defenseman Hayden Rintoul became the 2nd Dman in Franchise History to have a hat-trick (Steve McCarthy) and the 3rd Dman to have a 5-point game (John Negrin, Trevor Johnson) in a come from behind 5-4 OT win in Prince Albert. ICE trailed 4-1 in the 3rd period. With their goalie on the bench the ICE tied the game with Ty Stephens goal with 15 seconds remaining.
ICE are along in 7th place in the standings, 1 point ahead of Regina who they will visit on Friday.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

ICE Lease Details

Not many details are available on the new lease between the ICE and the City of Cranbrook. It's a 15-year agreement and the attendance out clause has been removed. In the old agreement if the paid attendance was below 2,800 for 2 consecutive years the ICE were able to break the agreement.

ICE & City Sign New Lease

Cranbrook, British Columbia The City of Cranbrook and the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club are pleased to announce that they have entered into a new lease agreement with no exit clause that will see the Kootenay ICE remain as long-term tenants in Cranbrook’s Recplex.

Mayor Scott Manjak commented, “City Council is very pleased with this new lease agreement and the renewal of our business relationship with the Kootenay ICE, who are important contributors to the economic wellbeing of our community.”

Jeff Chynoweth, President/General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club says, “I am extremely excited about today’s announcement. It has always been our number one goal to remain in Cranbrook and this new lease will ensure that stability for the next 15 years. We are also very excited about our partnership with the City of Cranbrook and look forward to working with them on many exciting new projects in the future.”

Cranbrook is proud to be the host city of the Kootenay ICE, 2000 league champions of the world-renowned Western Hockey League, and 2002 Memorial Cup champions.

Monday, January 19, 2009

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week’s action with a 21-20-2-4 record (13-9-1-2 at home, 8-11-1-2 on the road, 5-2-4 in overtime) and are tied for eighth place in the EASTERN CONFERENCE and are tied for 13th place overall in the WHL…This week the ICE will travel to PRINCE ALBERT (January 21), REGINA (January 23) and BRANDON (January 24) before returning home to host REGINA (January 27).

MAZDA NIGHT: When the ICE hosts the REGINA PATS on January 27 it will be MAZDA NIGHT…Fans in the attendance will have the opportunity to win a watch, mugs and many other items.

ICE / HOME DEPOT BACKYARD RINK CONTEST: Fans have one more week to enter the BACKYARD RINK CONTEST…The winner will play a game of shinny with some of the KOOTENAY ICE players and HOME DEPOT staff…To enter you can bring your photo to HOME DEPOT, drop it off at Guest Services during a KOOTENAY ICE home game or email the ICE a photo of your backyard rink along with your phone number…Full contest details are available at www.kootenayice.net under the ‘”In the Community” page.

FAMILY PACKS: The ICE have FAMILY PACKS on sale for Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday home games during the 2008-2009 season…FAMILY PACKS are $45.00 and include two adult tickets, two youth or student tickets, a parking voucher, a game program voucher, and two McDonald Happy Meal vouchers…For more information, or to purchase a FAMILY PACK, call or visit the KOOTENAY ICE Office.

UNUSED SEASON TICKETS: Season Ticket Holders who have unused season tickets can exchange them for any regular season game at a cost of $3.00 per ticket…The unused tickets must have the ticket stub attached in order to be eligible…Tickets can be exchanged any time at the KOOTENAY ICE Office and Kootenay Collectibles.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY is 15th in the WHL in overall power play (17.5%)…The ICE are ninth in the League in overall penalty killing (81.8%)…ANDREW BAILEY, who recorded his 200 WHL point against SWIFT CURRENT on January 17, is tied for eighth in the League in power play goals with nine…TYLAN STEPHENS needs to record ten more points to reach 100 WHL points…IAN BARTEAUX recorded his 50 WHL point on January 15 against CALGARY…CHRISTIAN MAGNUS recorded his first goal with the ICE on January 15 against CALGARY…JOE ANTILLA played in his 100 WHL game against SASKATOON on January 18…NORTH AMERICAN CENTRAL SCOUTING has ranked LIEUWEN 12th among NORTH AMERICAN GOALIES and MCNABB 73rd among NORTH AMERICAN SKATER in the midterm rankings.

SCORING STREAKS: JESSE ISMOND (1-3-4) and TYLAN STEPHENS (1-2-3) have each recorded at least a point in their last three games.

INJURIES / TRANSACTIONS: STEELE BOOMER and BRAYDEN MCNABB will both be out of the KOOTENAY line up indefinitely with concussions…DUSTIN SYLVESTER will be out of the ICE line up nine to 11 weeks with an ankle injury…ERIC FRERE (shoulder), MAX REINHART (shoulder) and RYAN FOX (knee) will all be out of the KOOTENAY line up day to day…The ICE acquired 17-year-old defenseman JAMES MARTIN, 16-year-old forward CHRISTIAN MAGNUS and a second round and fourth round picks in the 2010 WHL BANTAM DRAFT from SWIFT CURRENT in exchange for MICHAEL STICKLAND and JOHN NEGRIN on January 10.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 47 games of the 2007-2008 season the ICE were 28-15-3-1, after 48 games 28-15-4-1 and after 49 games 29-15-4-1.

UPCOMING WEEK:
Tuesday January 20 Travel Day
Wednesday January 21 ICE @ Prince Albert 6:30 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Thursday January 22 Travel Day
Friday January 23 ICE @ Regina 6:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Saturday January 24 ICE @ Brandon 6:30 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)

WEEK IN REVIEW:
Thursday, January 15 – Kootenay 4 vs. Calgary 3 – OT – Record 21-18-2-4 – Attendance: 3,430
Goals:
1 – McNabb (4) from Bailey and Barteaux
2 – Czerwonka (8) from Barteaux and Machacek
3 – Magnus (3) from Ismond and Antilla
4 – Reinhart (7) from Stephens and Rintoul
Goalie: Nathan Lieuwen (33 Saves, 3 GA)

Saturday, January 17 – Kootenay 5 vs. Swift Current 8 – Record 21-19-2-4 – Attendance: 3,036
Goals:
1 – McNabb (5) from Antilla
2 – Bailey (18) from Pacovsky and Barteaux
3 – Stephens (14) from Ismond and Cassivi
4 – Fraser (9) from Bailey and McNabb
5 – Ismond (8) from Magnus
Goalies: Nathan Lieuwen (16 Saves, 5 GA), Todd Mathews (11 Saves, 3 GA)

Sunday, January 18 – Kootenay 1 vs. Saskatoon 3 – Record 21-20-2-4 – Attendance: 3,258
Goal:
1 – King (12) from Stephens and Ismond
Goalie: Nathan Lieuwen (29 Saves, 3 GA)

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Saskatoon 3 Kootenay 1

Cranbrook, BC – Saskatoon Blades scored 2 3rd period goals in a 3-1 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL action on Sunday night.

ICE opened the scoring on a 2-on-1 break as Tylan Stephens found a wide open Kevin King in the slot who scored on a wrist shot before the goalie could slide across the crease.
Blades tied the game 1-1 as the puck went of a Josh Nicholls skate in the crease and rolled into the net. It was ruled that wasn’t kicked in.
In the 3rd period Jyri Niemi scored with a snap shot from the top of the circle.
Blades Gaelan Patterson added one into an empty net.

Because of 6 injuries the ICE were 3 players short of a complete line-up. Brayden McNabb (head 1 week), Eric Frere (shoulder day-to-day), Ryan Fox (knee day-to-day), Dustin Sylvester (ankle indefinite), Steele Boomer (concussion indefinite) and Max Reinhart (shoulder day-to-day).
The ICE will start a 3-game road Wednesday in Prince Albert.

Game Summary
Saskatoon 32-11-3-1 Kootenay 21-20-2-4

1st Period
1. Kootenay, King 12 (Stephens, Ismond) 17:18
Penalties – Bench Sask (too many men) 4:56, Chorneyko Sask (interference) 12:00, Toomey Sask (tripping) 12:21, Funk (hooking) Magnus (goalie interference) 19:20.
2nd Period
2. Saskatoon, Nicholls 6 (Inglis) 6:51
Penalties – Zahn Sask (holding) 2:09, Toomey Sask Rintoul Ktn (rouhing) 4:23, Barteaux Ktn (holding) 14:10.
3rd Period
3. Saskatoon, Niemi 4 (Patterson) :36
4. Saskatoon, Patterson 18:48 en
Penalties – Martin Ktn (delay of game) 1:25, Inglis Sask (tripping) 9:12,
Shots on goal by
Saskatoon - 5 – 10 – 17 = 32
Kootenay - 13 - 9 – 10 = 32
Goal (shots-saves) – Saskatoon: Adam Morrison (W 7-0-1-0) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L 14-12-0-2)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Saskatoon: 0/3 Kootenay: 0/5
Referee – Pat Smith
Linesmen – Matthew Barker, Jim Maniago
Attendance – 3,258

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Swift Current 8 Kootenay 5

Cranbrook, BC – Swift Current forward Matt Tassone had a hat-trick in an 8-5 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL action on Saturday night.

Swift Current opened the scoring as Geordie Wudrick batted in a loose puck near the crease.
ICE tied it as defenseman Brayden McNabb fired a snap shot into the top corner.
Then on the power-play the ICE took a 2-1 lead with Andrew Bailey cruising through the slot and picked the top corner with a wrist shot.
Broncos scored 2 goals in less than a minute to regain the lead. Matt Tassone found a loose puck near the net and chipped it in.
Wudrick notched his 2nd of the period with a slap shot from the top of the circle that went through the goalies’ legs.
Broncos made it 4-2 on the power-play as Eric Doyle long slap shot beat the goalie through a screen.
Then on a 2-on-1 Jordan Peddle made it 5-2.
ICE changed goalies as Todd Mathews replaced Nathan Lieuwen.
Broncos scored on another power-play as Keegan Danserau received a behind the net pass fromJustin Dowling and had an open net.
Late in the 2nd period ICE forward Tylan Stephens backhanded a bouncing puck near the crease to make it 6-3 after 2 periods.
ICE scored 2 goals 71 seconds apart early in the 3rd period. On the power-play Matt Fraser scored on a forhand wrap-around.
Then Christian Magnus found a wide open Jesse Ismond in the slot and one-timed a slapshot.
Tassone completed the hat-trick with a breakaway and empty net goal in the final 3 minutes of the game.

The ICE will host Saskatoon on Sunday.

Game Summary
Swift Current 26-21-0-1 Kootenay 21-19-2-4

1st Period
1. Swift Current, Wudrick 16 (Stickland, McAvoy) 3:45
2. Kootenay, McNabb 5 (Antilla) 8:25
3. Kootenay, Bailey 18 (Pacovsky, Barteaux) 11:52 pp
4. Swift Current, Tassone 25 (Dansereua, McAvoy) 15:07
5. Swift Current, Wudrick 17 (2) (Eakin, Negrin) 15:58
Penalties – Negrin SC (interference) 8:40,
2nd Period
6. Swift Current, Doyle 9 (Wudrick, Eakin) 3:25 pp
7. Swift Current, Peddle 8 (Doyle) 10:21
8. Swift Current, Dansereau 26 (Dowling, McAvoy) 17:44p
9. Kootenay, Stephens 14 (Cassivi, Ismond) 19:33
Penalties – Martin Ktn (hooking) 2:31, Hewitt SC (cross checking) 4:10, Eakin SC (tripping) 6:30, Fraser Ktn (high sticking) 13:20, Ismond Ktn (high sticking) 16:31,
3rd Period
10. Kootenay, Fraser 9 (Bailey, McNabb) 3:25
11. Kootenay, Ismond 8 (Magnus) 4:36
12. Swift Current
Penalties – Bench SC (too many men) 2:35, Brown SC (slashing) 7:58, Barteaux Ktn (interference) 12:42,
Shots on goal by
Swift Current – 17 - 6 – 12 = 35
Kootenay - 11 – 12 – 10 = 33
Goal (shots-saves) – Swift Current: Travis Yonkman (W 14-9-0-1) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (21-16) Todd Mathews (10:21 second) (L 3-9-0-1) (13-11)
Power plays (goals-chances) – Swift Current: 2/4 Kootenay: 2/6
Referee – Derek Herman
Linesmen – Andrew Barker, Kelly Reitenbach
Attendance – 3,036

O'Donnell

As reported by Greg Drinnan, link to the right, the ICE 9th round pick in the 2007 Bantam Draft may be bypassing the WHL.
"F Brendan O’Donnell, a ninth-round selection of the Kootenay Ice in the 2007 bantam draft, has made a commitment to attend the U of North Dakota and play for the Fighting Sioux. O’Donnell, a junior at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg, will head south in the fall of 2010 or 2011. He plays for the midget AAA Winnipeg Wild and, with 69 points in 32 games."

Swift Current @ Kootenay

The ICE will host the Swift Current Broncos tonight at the Rec-Plex. This is the 3rd meeting of the season. Broncos lead the series 2-0 with wins in overtime and in a shootout. The game marks the return of John Negrin and Michael Stickland.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Lazaruk

Greg Drinnan, link to your right, reports Kris Lazaruk is with USHL Omaha. He had returned to Edmonton and was having some practice time with the U of A.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

CIS in China


pictured Steve DaSilva with U of S.
When the 24th Winter Universiade begins in Harbin, China, in February 2009, the Western Hockey League will be well represented.

Canada’s entry at the 2009 Winter Universiade will feature a Men’s hockey team comprised of 22 players from the CIS’ Canada West Conference – a squad that will be looking to defend the Gold medal that the CIS’ Atlantic University Conference-based team won for Canada in Torino, Italy, in 2007. 19 of the 22 Canada West players named to Canada’s team are WHL grads.

“Any time you represent your country it’s a special opportunity,” said the team’s Head Coach Milan Dragicevic, who also coaches the U.B.C. Thunderbirds. “This is a chance that every player wants, to wear the leaf on his chest.

“Every time Canada competes in an international competition we’re playing for gold. You’re not playing for any other medal and that is the mandate we’re going to have with this team,” he added.

It marks the first time since 2003 that Canada’s hockey entry at the Winter Universiade has been made up of Canada West Conference players. The 2003 team finished with a Bronze medal in Tarvisio, Italy, and also earned Bronze in 1997 in Chonju, South Korea.

The 2009 event also marks the first time Canada’s Men’s hockey team will try and defend a Gold medal in 16 years.

“It’s a huge honor,” said U.B.C. Thunderbirds defenseman and former WHLer Craig Lineker, who is one of five WHL grads to be named to Canada’s defense corps. “I never had the chance to participate in anything like this before, and obviously it’s great to be able to represent your country at any level of competition and to put on the Canadian jersey and play against other countries.”

If one thing is for sure, it’s that Canada’s Men’s hockey entry at the 2009 Winter Universiade will be a very strong group.

Backstopped by University of Alberta Golden Bears All-Star goaltender Aaron Sorochan – a former nominee for the WHL Goaltender of the Year award in his Western Hockey League days – and WHL alumnus Brant Hilton, Canada’s netminding should be as strong as any team at the tournament.

A rock-solid defense corps featuring Lineker as well as fellow WHL grads like Jason Fransoo, Kyle Fecho and Derek Endicott should be more than capable of handling the job of shutting down opposing team’s top guns.

Up front, though, is where the Canada West group’s strength lies. Featuring former WHL All-Stars such as Steve DaSilva (U of S), Reid Jorgensen (U of C), Ian McDonald (U of A) and Chad Klassen (U of A), Canada’s team should be able to put the puck in the net.

“It’s pretty flattering to see that roster and to be accepted on this team,” said Brian Woolger, a former Portland Winter Hawk now starring for the U of A Golden Bears. “I’ve known most of the guys on the roster for a while, either through my WHL days or playing in Canada West, and I’ve known how good a lot of these guys are, so to be included with them is a huge honor.”

As excited as many of the players are to get the opportunity to compete for their country, many are also looking forward to the chance to see a much different part of the world. With the 2009 Winter Universiade being held in Harbin, a city of around 10 million people, and in a country as vast and different as China, it’s an opportunity for players to see a part of the world they may never have gotten the chance to see, otherwise.

“It’s going to be very different, being in northern China,” said University of Calgary forward Torrie Wheat, also a former Swift Current Bronco and Everett Silvertip. “I don’t know what to expect, but I know it’s going to be a really different experience…I guess it gets pretty cold over there, too.”

It comes as no surprise that 19 of the 22 players named to Canada’s 2009 Winter Universiade Men’s Hockey roster are WHL graduates. Currently, WHL graduates make up the vast majority of rosters of Canada West Conference teams, almost all of whom are attending Canada West Universities on WHL Scholarships.

Since 1993, the WHL has awarded more than 3000 Scholarships to graduate players, representing a contribution of over $9 million.

All players who play in the WHL are eligible to receive full WHL academic scholarships. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a full year guaranteed WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees, to a post-secondary institution of their choice. In addition, while playing in the WHL, players receive financial assistance for education expenses such as high school fees and tutoring or fees for post-secondary courses, to ensure players reach their academic potential.

“It’s been huge for me,” said Lineker about the WHL’s Scholarship program. “Without it, it wouldn’t be possible for me to go to school and play hockey because it’s just too expensive. The WHL has done a great job of allowing guys the opportunity to get a University education. I can keep playing hockey at a high level and concentrate on school without having to worry about paying for it.”

Kootenay 4 Calgary 3 OT

Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forward Max Reinhart scored at 4:03 of overtime in a 4-3 win over the Calgary Hitmen in WHL action on Thursday night.

ICE opened the scoring on a 5-on-3 penalty-kill as defenseman Brayden McNabb’s sweep check knocked the puck off a Calgary stick near the crease and it went in through the goalies’ legs.
Calgary tied it 1-1 as Bostjan Golicic’s long shot beat a screened goalie.
Calgary made it 2-1 on a power-play as the original point shot missed the net and came out the other side to a wide open Michael Stone.
Less than a minute later the ICE tied the game 2-2 as Ian Barteaux’ waist high point shot was deflected in by Drew Czerwonka.
ICE regained the lead as newly acquired Christian Magnus completed a 3-on-2 break.
Hitmen tied it again as Tyler Fiddler got a rebound and poked it behind the fallen goalie.
In overtime Max Reinhart got the winner on a rebound after Tylan Stephens original shot was stopped but went to a wide open ICE player.

ICE goalie Nathan Lieuwen did not take part in the pre-game skate as his equipment was lost on his flight back from the Top Prospects Game in Oshawa. The gear arrived at the rink 20 minutes before the game.

The ICE will host Swift Current on Saturday.

Game Summary
Calgary 38-7-1-1 Kootenay 21-18-2-4

1st Period
No Scoring
Penalties – McMillan Calg (interference) 9:56, Sonne Calg (tripping) 11:28, McMillan Calg (roughing) 15:09, Kozun Calg (tripping) 19:15, Plante Calg McNabb Ktn (roughing) 20:00.
2nd Period
1. Kootenay, McNabb 4 (Bailey, Barteaux) 5:01 sh
2. Calgary, Golicic 7 (Postma, Stone) 6:25
3. Calgary, Stone 13 (Postma, Kozun) 13:46 pp
4, Kootenay, Czerwonka 8 (Machacek, Barteaux) 2:10
Penalties – Vanscourt Ktn (interference) 3:37, Stephens Ktn (tripping) 4:22, Schultz Calg Fraser Ktn (fighting) 8:47, Pacovsky Ktn (tripping) 13:27, Barteaux Ktn (high sticking) 18:39.
3rd Period
5. Kootenay, Magnus 3 (Ismond, Antilla) 2:10
6. Calgary, Fiddler 3 (Postma, Golicic) 10:25
Penalties – Karpov Calg (holding) 14:46.
Overtime
7. Kootenay, Reinhart 7 (Stephens, Rintoul) 4:03
Penalties – Broda (instigator, fighting, misconduct) Barteaux Ktn (fighting) 1:54.
Shots on goal by
Calgary - 10 – 15 – 10 – 1 = 36
Kootenay – 10 - 8 – 5 – 5 = 27
Goal (shots-saves) – Calgary: Martin Jones (L 27-3-2-1) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W 14-11-0-2)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Calgary: 1/4 Kootenay: 0/6
Referee – Chris Savage
Linesmen – Darren Holeha, Matthew Barker
Attendance – 3,430

Calgary @ Kootenay

ICE and Hitmen will meet for the 7th time this season and the 4th time at the Rec-Plex. Calgary has won 4 of the 6 encounters. ICE have earned 5 points as one of the losses was in a shoot-out. ICE and Blades are the only teams to beat Calgary more than once this season.
ICE are tied with Edmonton for 8th in the Conference. 1 point ahead of #10 Regina and 1 behind #6 Lethbridge & Prince Albert. ICE have 2-4 games in hand on all 4 teams.
James Martin will be wearing #4 (worn by Joey Leach earlier this year)
Christian Magnus will be wearing #9 (Sticklands' old #)
Dominik Pacovsky returns after missing 4 games to a bruised lung/rib injury.
Eric Frere will miss his 2nd game to a shoulder injury but could return on the weekend.
Ryan Fox skated this week and will make his ICE debut during next weeks road trip.
Steele Boomer has returned to Edmonton and will have his doctor and also a specialist check out his concussion problems. They will probably make the final decision as to whether he'll play again this season. Boomer looks and feels great but again his last 2 concussions came on harmless looking hits.
Dustin Sylvesters' 2nd ankle surgery was a success and he will remain with the club to help in anyway possible in an off-ice capacity.

Sara at the ICE office says there will be bigger crowds for the next few games as the School Program has been a huge success.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Orr 6 Cherry 1



photo credit Aaron Bell/OHL Images

ICE defenseman Brayden McNabb had 1 assist for Team Orr in a 6-1 win over Team Cherry at the Top Prospects game in Oshawa. Goalie Nathan Lieuwen gave up 5 goals on 18 shots. Both will be back in Cranbrook for Thursday's game.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week’s action with a 20-18-2-4 record (12-7-1-2 at home, 8-11-1-2 on the road, 4-2-4 in overtime) and tied for sixth place in the EASTERN CONFERENCE and tied for tenth place overall in the WHL…This week the ICE will host CALGARY (January 15), SWIFT CURRENT (January 17) and SASKATOON (January 18) before traveling to the EAST DIVISION for three games (January 21 – 24).

SHAW NIGHT: When the ICE hosts the CALGARY HITMEN on Thursday, January 15 it will be SHAW Night…Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win t-shirts courtesy of SHAW.

IMPORT AUTO GROUP NIGHT: When KOOTENAY hosts the SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS on Saturday, January 17 it will be IMPORT AUTO GROUP NIGHT…One lucky fan in the building will win a weekend for four at BIGHORN MEADOWS in RADIUM, $100 cash and a vehicle to use for the weekend trip.

ICE / HOME DEPOT BACKYARD RINK CONTEST: From now until January 26 you will have the chance to enter and win a game of shinny with some of the KOOTENAY ICE players and HOME DEPOT staff…To enter you can bring your photo to HOME DEPOT, drop it off at Guest Services during a KOOTENAY ICE home game or email the ICE a photo of your backyard rink along with your phone number…Full contest details are available at www.kootenayice.net under the ‘”In the Community” page.

SUBWAY CENTRAL DIVISION CHALLENGE CUP: This season KOOTENAY will be facing off against the rest of the CENTRAL DIVISION for a different kind of trophy…The SUBWAY CENTRAL DIVISION CHALLENGE CUP tallies points from head-to-head meetings in the CENTRAL DIVISION and the team with the most points in those head-to-heads at the end of the regular season will be awarded the SUBWAY CENTRAL DIVISION CHALLENGE CUP…Fans can get involved by answering weekly trivia questions to win prizes…To get to the CHALLENGE CUP webpage click on the link at www.kootenayice.net

UNUSED SEASON TICKETS: Season Ticket Holders who have unused season tickets can exchange them for any regular season game at a cost of $3.00 per ticket…The unused tickets must have the ticket stub attached in order to be eligible…Tickets can be exchanged any time at the KOOTENAY ICE Office and Kootenay Collectibles.

SUPER SIX FLEX PACKS: The sale of SUPER SIX FLEX PAKS continues…You get six game certificates to use at your convenience – total flexibility…SUPER SIX FLEX PAKS are available in Adult, Senior, Student and Youth packages.

DID YOU KNOW: The ICE are 15-11-2-4 against the EASTERN CONFERENCE this season…KOOTENAY is 13-1-1-1 when they record the first goal of the game and 7-17-1-3 when their opponent scores first…ANDREW BAILEY, who needs three more points to reach 200 WHL points, is tied for eighth in the League in power play goals with eight…JOE ANTILLA needs to play in three more games to reach 100 WHL games…BRAYDEN MCNABB and NATHAN LIEUWEN have been selected to play in the 2009 HOME HARDWARE CHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME on January 14 in OSHAWA, ON…NORTH AMERICAN CENTRAL SCOUTING has ranked LIEUWEN 12th among NORTH AMERICAN GOALIES and MCNABB 73rd among NORTH AMERICAN SKATER in the midterm rankings.

INJURIES / TRANSACTIONS: STEELE BOOMER will be out of the KOOTENAY line up indefinitely with a concussion…DUSTIN SYLVESTER will be out of the ICE line up ten to 12 weeks with an ankle injury…ERIC FRERE will be out of the KOOTENAY line up seven to ten days with a shoulder injury…RYAN FOX (knee) and DOMINIK PACOVSKY (ribs) will both be out of the ICE line up day to day…KOOTENAY has acquired 18-year-old forward RYAN FOX from the CALGARY HITMEN in exchange for forward KRIS FOUCAULT on January 8…The ICE acquired 17-year-old defenseman JAMES MARTIN, 16-year-old forward CHRISTIAN MAGNUS and a second round and fourth round picks in the 2010 WHL BANTAM DRAFT from SWIFT CURRENT in exchange for MICHAEL STICKLAND and JOHN NEGRIN on January 10.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 44 games of the 2007-2008 season the ICE were 26-15-3-0, after 45 games 27-15-3-0 and after 46 games 27-15-3-1.

UPCOMING WEEK:
Wednesday January 14 Practice 4:00 – 5:45 pm Cranbrook Rec Plex
Thursday January 15 ICE vs. Calgary 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Friday January 16 Practice 4:00 – 5:45 pm Cranbrook Rec Plex
Saturday January 17 ICE vs. Swift Current 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Sunday January 18 ICE vs. Saskatoon 6:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)

WEEK IN REVIEW:
Friday, January 9 – Kootenay 1 vs. Vancouver 4 – Record 19-18-2-4 – Attendance: 3,086
Goal:
1 – Negrin (5) from Fraser and King
Goalie: Nathan Lieuwen (28 Saves, 4 GA)

Saturday, January 10 – Kootenay 3 vs. Calgary 1 – Record 20-18-2-4 – Attendance: 3,034
Goals:
1 – Ismond (6) from Cassivi and McNabb
2 – Bailey (17) from Fraser
3 – Ismond (7) from Reinhart and Stephens
Goalie: Nathan Lieuwen (35 Saves, 1 GA)

Monday, January 12, 2009

ICE vs Hitmen Memories

Saturday's ICE 3-1 win over Calgary has been the talk of the town, still, a few days later.
Calgary is the top ranked team in the CHL, on a 12 game winning streak, added 2 more skilled forwards at the deadline and having won 11 of the last 13 games against the ICE who had only 14 skaters, 7 rookie skaters plus a rookie goalie, 5 game losing streak and traded away Negrin and Stickland earlier in the day.
In that situation most would feel Calgary would win what, 9 times out of 10, 19 times out of 20?
Other unforgettable ICE vs Hitmen moments.
98-99 - 1st round playoff meeting. Calgary won in 7 games. I wasn't in Cranbrook that year but the Hitmen went on to win the WHL Championship.
March 11/00 - In the Memorial Arena the ICE were down 5-0 to the defending WHL Champion Hitmen and finished in a 5-5 tie. Mike Green had a breakaway with 10 seconds left but was stopped. The game gave the ICE confidence for their meeting in the East Final a few months later.
ICE won that series in 5 games, the clinching game was an overtime win in a soldout Saddledome. ICE led 4-1, only to have the Hitmen roar back for a 5-4 lead. With the goalie (Blackburn) on the bench the ICE scored to force overtime. Blatny scored the winner on a Svoboda rebound 8 minutes into the 1st OT.
Since the ICE moved to the West Conference from 01-06 they didn't meet in a playoff series until 2007. Calgary finished 19 points behind the ICE in the standings, the ICE won the season series 6-2, but it was Calgary taking a led the series 3-1. Without injured Mike Busto & Curtis Billsten and with Ben Maxwell playing for the 1st time in 4 months, the ICE forced a game 7. The ICE came from a 2-0 deficit to get the game to overtime. In the 1st overtime Lukas Bohunicky's point shot was deflected by Michael Stickland and it rang off the post. Seconds later Ian Duval scored on a breakaway.
What are your memories?

Top Prospects Game

Defenseman Brayden McNabb and goalie Nathan Lieuwen are both in Oshawa for the Top Prospects event. The Skills Competition is Tuesday night and the game is on Wednesday.

CSS

NHL Central Scouting has released their Mid-Term Rankings.
ICE defensemen Brayden McNabb (73rd) and Hayden Rintoul (181st) are rated in the skaters category while goalie Nathan Lieuwen (12th) is in the goalie's category. These are the ratings for players in North America.

1 TAVARES, JOHN LONDON OHL
2 DUCHENE, MATT BRAMPTON OHL
3 KANE, EVANDER VANCOUVER WHL
4 SCHROEDER, JORDAN U OF MINNESOTA WCHA
5 SCHENN, BRAYDEN BRANDON WHL
6 DESPRES, SIMON SAINT JOHN QMJHL
7 COWEN, JARED SPOKANE WHL
8 MOORE, JOHN CHICAGO USHL
9 HOLLAND, PETER GUELPH OHL
10 ASHTON, CARTER LETHBRIDGE WHL
11 KADRI, NAZEM LONDON OHL
12 GLENNIE, SCOTT BRANDON WHL
13 FERRARO, LANDON RED DEER WHL
14 KREIDER, CHRIS ANDOVER HIGH-MA
15 ELLIS, RYAN WINDSOR OHL
16 BUDISH, ZACH EDINA HIGH HIGH-MN
17 KULIKOV, DMITRY DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL
18 LEBLANC, LOUIS OMAHA USHL
19 PALMIERI, KYLE USA U-18 USDP
20 CARON, JORDAN RIMOUSKI QMJHL
21 MORIN, JEREMY USA U-18 USDP
22 ELLIOTT, STEFAN SASKATOON WHL
23 OLSEN, DYLAN CAMROSE AJHL
24 KASSIAN, ZACK PETERBOROUGH OHL
25 LEDDY, NICK EDEN PRAIRIE HIGH-MN
26 PARADIS, PHILIPPE SHAWINIGAN QMJHL
27 MAPPIN, CASSIDY RED DEER WHL
28 LEMIEUX, GABRIEL SHAWINIGAN QMJHL
29 BROWN, CHRIS USA U-18 USDP
30 ROUSSEL, CHARLES-OL SHAWINIGAN QMJHL
31 GELINAS, ERIC LEWISTON QMJHL
32 SHORE, DREW USA U-18 USDP
33 BIRKHOLZ, JOSH FARGO USHL
34 CHIASSON, ALEX DES MOINES USHL
35 O'REILLY, RYAN ERIE OHL
36 BUTTON, RYAN PRINCE ALBERT WHL
37 BARRIE, TYSON KELOWNA WHL
38 DE HAAN, CALVIN OSHAWA OHL
39 HLINKA, MICHAL CHICOUTIMI QMJHL
40 HELGESON, SETH SIOUX CITY USHL
41 DILLON, BRENDEN SEATTLE WHL
42 LATTA, MICHAEL GUELPH OHL
43 WEREK, ETHAN KINGSTON OHL
44 KOPER, LEVKO SPOKANE WHL
45 HANOWSKI, BEN LITTLE FALLS H.S. HIGH-MN
46 KIVISTO, TOMMI RED DEER WHL
47 WRENN, WILLIAM USA U-18 USDP
48 HUTCHINGS, ALEX BARRIE OHL
49 DESLAURIERS, NICOLA ROUYN-NORANDA QMJHL
50 BECK, TAYLOR GUELPH OHL
51 HOWSE, RYAN CHILLIWACK WHL
52 EAKIN, CODY SWIFT CURRENT WHL
53 SZWARZ, JORDAN SAGINAW OHL
54 BUBNICK, JIMMY KAMLOOPS WHL
55 HAULA, ERIK SHAT.ST.MARY'S HIGH-MN
56 FOURNIER, GLEASON RIMOUSKI QMJHL
57 MATTSON, DANNY HOLY ANGELS HIGH-MN
58 CLARK, MATTHEW BRAMPTON OHL
59 SAMUELSSON, PHILIP CHICAGO USHL
60 PACAN, DAVID CUMBERLAND CJHL
61 BOURQUE, RYAN USA U-18 USDP
62 BLACKER, JESSE WINDSOR OHL
63 BENNETT, MAC HOTCHKISS SCHOOL HIGH-CT
64 DUMOULIN, BRIAN JR. MONARCHS EJHL
65 RYAN, KENNY USA U-18 USDP
66 WILSON, GARRETT OWEN SOUND OHL
67 NESTRASIL, ANDREJ VICTORIAVILLE QMJHL
68 DAUGHERTY, RYAN OMAHA USHL
69 DEBLOIS, DEREK HOTCHKISS SCHOOL HIGH-CT
70 LEE, ANDERS EDINA HIGH HIGH-MN
71 DOHERTY, TAYLOR KINGSTON OHL
72 D'AMIGO, JERRY USA U-18 USDP
73 MCNABB, BRAYDEN KOOTENAY WHL
74 GOULET, GUILLAUME BAIE-COMEAU QMJHL
75 GALLIMORE, BURKE SASKATOON WHL
76 VALEK, DAVID USA U-18 USDP
77 COETZEE, WILLIE RED DEER WHL
78 GILBERT, DAVID QUEBEC QMJHL
79 VINCOUR, TOMAS EDMONTON WHL
80 PIRRI, BRANDON GEORGETOWN OJHL
81 THOMPSON, BLAKE SIOUX FALLS USHL
82 OLIVER, NICK ROSEAU HIGH HIGH-MN
83 LYNCH, KEVIN USA U-18 USDP
84 FALLSTROM, ALEXANDE SHAT.ST.MARY'S HIGH-MN
85 REMPEL, BRENDAN USA U-18 USDP
86 TATRN, ZACH PETERBOROUGH OHL
87 RAMAGE, JOHN USA U-18 USDP
88 KRUPP, BJORN BELLEVILLE OHL
89 COSTELLO, JEFF CEDAR RAPIDS USHL
90 VARONE, PHILIP LONDON OHL
91 CURADI, LUKE HARTFORD ATLH
92 ANTHONY, STEVEN SAINT JOHN QMJHL
93 BENNETT, SPENCER SURREY BCHL
94 SCOTT, BERKLEY ANOKA HIGH SCHOOL HIGH-MN
95 RANDELL, TYLER KITCHENER OHL
96 FINE, MICHEAL SAULT STE. MARIE OHL
97 FESTLER, JARED ST. CLOUD STATE WCHA
98 FOLIGNO, MARCUS SUDBURY OHL
99 ULMER, STEFAN SPOKANE WHL
100 CHIAROT, BEN GUELPH OHL
101 BOURQUE, GABRIEL BAIE-COMEAU QMJHL
102 FROESE, BYRON EVERETT WHL
103 GRONVALDT, SIMON KITCHENER OHL
104 HUGHESMAN, ADAM TRI-CITY WHL
105 TOCHKIN, KELLAN EVERETT WHL
106 MITCHELL, GARRETT REGINA WHL
107 GERTHS, DAVID LINCOLN USHL
108 VEY, LINDEN MEDICINE HAT WHL
109 LEE, OLEG FARGO USHL
110 DUPREY, LUKE ANDOVER HIGH-MA
111 LAPIC, TYLER NEW PRAGUE HIGH-MN
112 VELISCHEK, ALEX DELBARTON WAVE HIGH-NJ
113 DELISLE, DANIEL TOTINO GRACE HIGH-MN
114 BEZZO, PAUL OWEN SOUND OHL
115 MELNYCHUK, BRODIE BRANDON WHL
116 SEXTON, BEN NEPEAN CJHL
117 BOWMAN, COLLIN KELOWNA WHL
118 GOTOVETS, KIRILL SHAT.ST.MARY'S HIGH-MN
119 MCLEOD, WES PRINCE GEORGE BCHL
120 YOUNG, GUS NOBLES HIGH-MA
121 MCCARTHY, CHRIS USA U-18 USDP
122 LABRIE, HUBERT GATINEAU QMJHL
123 EVERSON, MARSHALL EDINA HIGH HIGH-MN
124 LEFEBVRE, PHILLIPE DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL
125 LESSARD, JONATHAN ACADIE-BATHURST QMJHL
126 O'CONNOR, GABRIEL HALIFAX QMJHL
127 PETERSON, GARRETT LINCOLN USHL
128 TARDY, MAX DULUTH EAST HIGH-MN
129 POKULOK, NIK NORTHWOOD SCHOOL HIGH-NY
130 MEGAN, WADE SOUTH KENT SCHOOL HIGH-CT
131 MAYER, JORDAN MISSISSAUGA ST. MIC OHL
132 CIZIKAS, CASEY MISSISSAUGA ST. MIC OHL
133 JUDSON, LUKE BELLEVILLE OHL
134 ARCHIBALD, DARREN BARRIE OHL
135 FLOREK, JUSTIN NORTHERN MICH. CCHA
136 CARRIER, ALEXANDRE VAL D'OR QMJHL
137 BARNES, TYLER WATERLOO USHL
138 ROGERS, JOEL SWIFT CURRENT WHL
139 ZANETTI, MARC OTTAWA OHL
140 RAYNER, WILLIAM SOUTH KENT SCHOOL HIGH-CT
141 MACLEAN, BRANDON PEI QMJHL
142 HOURIHAN, MARK NOBLES HIGH-MA
143 PAYERL, ADAM BARRIE OHL
144 FLEMMING, BRETT MISSISSAUGA ST. MIC OHL
145 GURIANOV, GEORGIY WALPOLE JR 'B' USMAAA
146 LARKIN, THOMAS EXETER HIGH-NH
147 SCHALLER, TIM JR. HUSKIES EJHL
148 BEAUCHEMIN, JEAN RUSSELL STOVER MWEHL
149 KOZUN, BRANDON CALGARY WHL
150 TIPOFF, MATTHEW BELLEVILLE OHL
151 HENRION, JOHN USA U-18 USDP
152 MAXWELL, TYLER EVERETT WHL
153 YADLOWSKI, BRENNAN LETHBRIDGE WHL
154 FLAHERTY, KEEGAN FARGO USHL
155 AMBURGEY, TYLER USA U-18 USDP
156 NOVOTNY, STEPAN KELOWNA WHL
157 MULLANE, PATRICK OMAHA USHL
158 MCKENZIE, CURTIS PENTICTON BCHL
159 BORTNAK, DALIBOR KAMLOOPS WHL
160 KUDRNA, ANDREJ VANCOUVER WHL
161 WALL, ALEX MONTREAL QMJHL
162 KANE, CORY VERNON BCHL
163 TAFT, CHARLIE EDINA HIGH HIGH-MN
164 SAVARD, DAVID MONCTON QMJHL
165 GEDIG, CURTIS MERRITT BCHL
166 WEY, PATRICK WATERLOO USHL
167 SMITH, REILLY ST. MICHAELS OJHL
168 CICHY, MICHAEL TRI-CITY USHL
169 JODOIN, SIMON MONCTON QMJHL
170 JENSEN, NICK GREEN BAY USHL
171 WHITNEY, STEVEN LAWRENCE HIGH-MA
172 O'DONOGHUE, DAN NY BOBCATS ATLH
173 STRUEBY, MATT REGINA WHL
174 YETMAN, BRAD ROUYN-NORANDA QMJHL
175 HOSTETTER, TYLER ERIE OHL
176 LAGANIERE, ANTOINE DEERFIELD HIGH-MA
177 CLIFFORD, KYLE BARRIE OHL
178 SCHMIDT, NATE ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL HIGH-MN
179 SAMUELS-THOMAS, JOR WATERLOO USHL
180 GILBERT, SAM CHOATE-ROSEMARY HIGH-CT
181 RINTOUL, HAYDEN KOOTENAY WHL
182 BLOODOFF, EVAN KELOWNA WHL
183 GOLEMBIEWSKI, ZACH INDIANA USHL
184 SCHMITZ, JOE CENTENNIAL HIGH-MN
185 CASAVANT, BENJAMIN PEI QMJHL
186 NYREN, GIFFEN KAMLOOPS WHL
187 LOGUE, SEAN SOUTH SHORE EJHL
188 KRUSHELNYSKI, ALEXA CHICAGO USHL
189 SULLIVAN, KEVIN BERKSHIRE HIGH-MA
190 POPULUS, MATHIEU CHICOUTIMI QMJHL
191 MURRAY, JORDAN U. OF WISCONSIN WCHA
192 DION, PIER-ANTOINE MONTREAL QMJHL
193 HERRINGTON, BROOKS JR. MONARCHS EJHL
194 SCHWARTZ, RYLAN NOTRE DAME SJHL
195 MANNING, NEIL VANCOUVER WHL
196 PALMQUIST, ZACH SOUTH ST.PAUL HIGH-MN
197 KONAN, MATTHEW MEDICINE HAT WHL
198 HUGHES, KYLE SALISBURY HIGH-CT
199 DUMONT, GABRIEL DRUMMONDVILLE QMJHL
200 AMMON, ANDREW DEERFIELD HIGH-MA
201 ANDREOFF, ANDY OSHAWA OHL
202 GOLDBERG, JACOB BERKSHIRE HIGH-MA
203 ODDO, NICK CEDAR RAPIDS USHL
204 TAM, MIKAEL QUEBEC QMJHL
205 TREAIS, A.J. USA U-18 USDP
206 PRICE, JEREMY NEPEAN CJHL
207 HUSEK, JAKUB WYOMING SEMINARY PR HIGH-PA
208 ESCOBEDO, SEAN SIOUX FALLS USHL
209 KELLEY, STEPHEN DEERFIELD HIGH-MA
210 MOFFIE, LEE WATERLOO USHL
Limited Viewing
LV CORKUM, KELEN JR. MONARCHS EJHL
LV PELTZ, BRAD AVON OLD FARMS HIGH-CT
LV SILENGO, JEFFERY SOUTH KENT HIGH-CT

1 PASQUALE, EDWARD SAGINAW OHL
2 STAJCER, SCOTT OWEN SOUND OHL
3 LEE, MICHAEL FARGO USHL
4 ROY, OLIVIER CAPE BRETON QMJHL
5 BERUBE, JEAN-FRANCOIS MONTREAL QMJHL
6 KUEMPER, DARCY RED DEER WHL
7 MORRIS, CAB HOTCHKISS SCHOOL HIGH-CT
8 HACKETT, MATTHEW PLYMOUTH OHL
9 VAZZANO, ALEX THE GUNNERY HIGH-CT
10 ZADOR, MICHAEL OSHAWA OHL
11 MAXWELL, BRANDON USA U-18 USDP
12 LIEUWEN, NATHAN KOOTENAY WHL
13 DI SALVO, PETER BARRIE OHL
14 BOUCHER, JEAN-SEBASTIEN VAL D'OR QMJHL
15 GROENHEYDE, JON KAMLOOPS WHL
16 PERUGINI, CHRIS OTTAWA OHL
17 CONDON, MICHAEL BELMONT HILL HIGH-MA
18 JANUS, JAROSLAV ERIE OHL
19 ST-LAURENT, KAREL SAINT JOHN QMJHL
20 MURRAY, ADAM USA U-18 USDP
21 STANFORD, STEVEN PRINCE ALBERT WHL
22 VALIQUETTE, ALAIN SUDBURY OHL
23 GINN, MATTHEW LINDSAY OJHL
24 KETLO, DAMIEN REGINA WHL
25 RACINE, STEVEN TAFT SCHOOL HIGH-CT
26 TEGLIA, JEFF OMAHA USHL
27 KOMM, BRANDEN NORTHFIELD-MT.HERMON HIGH-MA
28 TUCKER, JAMIE VANCOUVER WHL
29 HOWE, JOSEPH WATERLOO USHL
30 FOOTE, BRANDON GUELPH OHL
Limited Viewing
LV KNAPP, CONNOR MIAMI U. CCHA
LV QUATTROCCHI, JOSEPH SMITHS FALLS CJHL

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Kootenay 3 Calgary 1

Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE goalie Nathan Lieuwen made 35 saves in a 3-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen in WHL action on Saturday night.

ICE opened the scoring as Jesse Ismond found a loose puck near the net and flipped it in.
Calgary tied it 1-1 on breakaway as Ian Schultz scored on a high backhand.
With the clubs skating 4-on-4 Andrew Bailey scored on a 2-on-1 after receiving a pass from Matt Fraser.
Ismond scored his 2nd of the game on a power-play as he redirected as pass in the crease from Max Reinhart.

The ICE had only 14 skaters in the line-up and 7 of them were rookies.
Earlier in the day the ICE traded defenseman John Negrin and forward Michael Stickland to Swift Current for 17-year-old defenseman James Martin, 16-year-old forward Christian Magnus and 2nd & 4th round picks in the 2010 Bantam Draft.

The ICE will host Calgary again on Thursday.

Game Summary
Calgary 35-6-1-1 Kootenay 20-18-2-4

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties – Karpov Calg (hooking) 4:30, Stone Calg (hooking) 8:22, Broda Calg (roughing) 11:11, Sonne Calg (roughing) Vancourt Ktn (interference) Barteaux Ktn (roughing) 13:45, Sonne Calg (check from behind) 19:38.
2nd Period
1. Kootenay, Ismond 6 (Cassivi, McNabb) 3:05
2. Calgary, Schultz 13 (Stone) 9:49
3. Kootenay, Bailey 17 (Fraser, Barteaux) 10:09
4. Kootenay, Ismond 7 (2) Reinhart, Stephens) 13:08
Penalties – McMillan Calg (goalie interference) Rintoul Ktn (hooking) 9:49, Bench Calg (served by Burgart) 12:06.
3rd Period
No Scoring
Missed penalty shot – Fraser Ktn, 7:05
Penalties – McNabb Ktn (delay of game) 5:55, Reinhart Ktn (hooking) 12:58.
Shots on goal by
Calgary - 9 – 8 - 2 = 19
Kootenay – 5 – 12 – 19 = 36
Goal (shots-saves) – Calgary: Michael Snider (L 7-1-0-0) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W 13-11-0-2)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Calgary: 0/3 Kootenay: 1/5
Referee – Devin Klein
Linesmen – Cody Rude, Brad Yoshida
Attendance – 3,034

Negrin & Stickland Stats

John Negrin played 210 games for the ICE which is 4th all-time amung defensemen. 10 career goals (9th all-time), 89 assists (4th all-time) & 99 points (5th all-time).
Michael Stickland 175 GP 39-52-91.

Magnus & Martin

Here is some info on the newest ICE players.

James Martin - 17 years old, from Winnipeg, 6’2” 190 lbs, Defense / Left, this year 31 GP 0-4-4 14pm, last year Manitoba Midget Winnipeg 36 GP 9-22-31 72pm.

Christian Magnus - 16 years old, from Saskatoon, 5’11” 168 lbs, Right Wing / Right, this year 31 GP 2-3-5 6pm, last year 5 GP 0-0-0 0pm & Sask AAA Midget Saskatoon 57 GP 14-21-35 31pm, 2 years ago Sask AA Bantam Saskatoon 25 GP 32-21-53 28pm, selected by Swift Current in the 2007 Bantam Draft 1st round 9th overall, played with Crew Czerwonka on Team West at the Under-17 6 GP 0-0-0 0pm.

ICE Trade Negrin & Stickland

ICE have traded John Negrin and Michael Stickland to Swift Current for 16 year old forward Christian Magnus, 17 year old defenseman James Martin and the Broncos 2nd and 4th round bantam picks in 2010.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Vancouver 4 Kootenay 1

Cranbrook, BC – Vancouver Giant forward Evander Kane had 2 goals and 1 assist in 4-1 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL action on Friday night.

Vancouver opened the scoring with the club’s skating 4-on-4 as newly acquired defenseman Nick Ross fired a wrist shot that beat the goalie who was screened by 2 Giants players.
On a power-play the Giants made it 2-0 as Evander Kane stuffed in his 23rd goal of the season.
Kane scored his 2nd of the game on a 3-on-2 break.
ICE scored on a 3rd period as John Negrin fired a slap shot from the point that beat the screened goalie.
Vancouver ended the scoring as James Henry’s attempted pass hit an ICE leg and deflected through the goalies’ legs.

Disappointing news for ICE forward Dustin Sylvester, who on Friday night had another surgery on his broken ankle. The ICE doctors didn’t feel the work done in Lethbridge 2 weeks ago was completed successfully. This probably means he will not return to the line-up this season.
Newly acquired forward Ryan Fox has arrived in Cranbrook but will not play this weekend because of a knee injury. He’ll make his ICE debut next week.

Saturday the ICE host Calgary.

Game Summary
Vancouver 33-3-0-3 Kootenay 19-18-2-4

1st Period
1. Vancouver, Ross 5 (Kane, Pierro-Zabotel) 17:39
Penalties – Bouma Van McNabb Ktn (roughing) 16:25.
2nd Period
2. Vancouver, Kane 23 (Pierro-Zabotel, Regener) 14:01 pp
Penalties – Antilla Ktn (tripping) 9:56, Stickland Ktn (interference) 13:13, Rodgers Van (hooking) 15:08, Bouma Van (interference) 17:40.
3rd Period
3. Vancouver, Kane 24 (2) (Pierro-Zabotel, Nunn) 8:53
4. Kootenay, Negrin 5 (King, Fraser) 15:00 pp
5. Vancouver, Henry 8 (Gallagher, Manning) 18:47
Penalties – Kennedy Van Machacek Ktn (fighting) 10:34, Nunn Van (hooking) 11:23, Kudrna Van (interference) 14:20.
Shots on goal by
Vancouver – 15 – 10 – 7 = 32
Kootenay - 5 - 7 - 7 = 10
Goal (shots-saves) – Vancouver: Tyson Sexsmith (W 22-3-0-2) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L 12-11-0-2)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Vancouver: 1/2 Kootenay: 1/4
Referees – Derek Zalaski, Ryan Bonnett
Linesmen – Chris Carlson, Michael Roberts
Attendance – 3,086

Vancouver @ Kootenay

The ICE and Giants will meet for the 1st and only time this season tonight at the Rec-Plex. Overall the ICE lead the lifetime series 15-5 including a win in Vancouver last season.
The ICE have lost 4 games in a row while the Giants have 6 losses all year and only 3 in regulation.
Much like Calgary the Giants have an amazing collection of defensemen and it got stronger with the addition on Nick Ross. (Will John Negrin and Ross continue their tradition of fighting each other on their 1st shifts?) Jon Blum is having dental surgery and will not play while Gold Medal winning Evander Kane is expected to suit-up.
ICE are without Dustin Sylvester (3 months), Steele Boomer (indefinite) and Dominik Pacovsky (day-to-day) but will welcome back Max Reinhart and Drew Czerwonka from the Under-17's.
After the game the ICE have 2 consecutive match-ups against Calgary and need some points to stay in a playoff spot. Currently they're in 6th and are in a battle with 4 other teams for the final 3 spots. All are within 2 points of each other.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

ICE Add Fox



Kris Foucault had a great training camp with the ICE as he scored a bucket full of goals. In the preseason and regular season he really stayed away from the contact and the ICE sent him to Canmore of the AJHL where he has 41 points in 32 games.
Fox was drafted by the Hitmen in the 7th round of the 2005 Bantam Draft. He has 2 career goals and 12 career points. Potential could be there, as a 16-year-old he played in the Sask AAA Midget League with Prince Albert and had solid numbers 43 GP 25-29-54 48pm. He currently has a knee injury is out another week.

Cranbrook, BC -- Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the club has acquired forward Ryan Fox from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for Kris Foucault.
“With the injuries to Dustin Sylvester and Steele Boomer we are short forwards so the addition of Ryan gives us a forward we need while allowing Kris to play in his hometown of Calgary. We feel this is a great opportunity for both us and Calgary,” added Chynoweth.
Ryan Fox
April 26, 1990 * Hometown: Creighton, SK
Right Wing * Shoots: Right * 6’0”, 185 lbs.
YEAR TEAM GP G A TP PIM
2006-07 Calgary Hitmen 2 0 0 0 0
2007-08 Calgary Hitmen 46 1 7 8 16
2008-09 Calgary Hitmen 22 1 3 4 18

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

ICE Prospect

Brendan O'Donnell put up some impressive numbers during December for the Winnipeg Wild and has been selected the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League's Offensive Player of the Month, an award sponsored by the Western Hockey League. O'Donnell, a second year player and assistant captain, helped lead his team to a 7-1 record by scoring 11 goals and adding 11 assists in eight games. He also posted a +/- rating of +23. O'Donnell is counted on to play in all situations for the Wild and is a leader both on and off the ice. The 5-foot-11, 175 lb., forward is a draft pick of the WHL's Kootenay ICE and also plays as an affiliate with the Winnipeg South Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Monday, January 5, 2009

ICE Backyard Contest



ICE / HOME DEPOT BACKYARD RINK CONTEST: From now until January 26 you will have the chance to enter and win a game of shinny with some of the KOOTENAY ICE players and HOME DEPOT staff…To enter you can bring your photo to HOME DEPOT, drop it off at Guest Services during a KOOTENAY ICE home game or email the ICE a photo of your backyard rink along with your phone number…Full contest details are available at www.kootenayice.net under the ‘”In the Community” page.

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week’s action with a 19-17-2-4 record (11-6-1-2 at home, 8-11-1-2 on the road, 4-2-4 in overtime) and are in sixth place in the EASTERN CONFERENCE and in tenth place in the WHL..The ICE will play their next five games at home including two this weekend against VANCOUVER (January 9) and CALGARY (January 10).

SUN-RYPE NIGHT: When the ICE hosts the VANCOUVER GIANTS on Friday, January 9 it will be SUN-RYPE Night…Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win SUN-RYPE product.

MAPLE LEAF NIGHT: When KOOTENAY hosts the CALGARY HITMEN on Saturday, January 10 it will be MAPLE LEAF NIGHT…Fans at the game will have a chance to take part in the hot dog shootout, win an autographed ICE jersey or coupons for MAPLE LEAF PRIME CHICKEN.

ICE / HOME DEPOT BACKYARD RINK CONTEST: From now until January 26 you will have the chance to enter and win a game of shinny with some of the KOOTENAY ICE players and HOME DEPOT staff…To enter you can bring your photo to HOME DEPOT, drop it off at Guest Services during a KOOTENAY ICE home game or email the ICE a photo of your backyard rink along with your phone number…Full contest details are available at www.kootenayice.net under the ‘”In the Community” page.

UNUSED SEASON TICKETS: Season Ticket Holders who have unused season tickets can exchange them for any regular season game at a cost of $3.00 per ticket…The unused tickets must have the ticket stub attached in order to be eligible…Tickets can be exchanged any time at the KOOTENAY ICE Office and Kootenay Collectibles.

SUPER SIX FLEX PACKS: The sale of SUPER SIX FLEX PAKS continues…You get six game certificates to use at your convenience – total flexibility…SUPER SIX FLEX PAKS are available in Adult, Senior, Student and Youth packages.

DID YOU KNOW: The ICE are 7-3-0-1 on games played on Fridays and are 5-4-2-2 on games played on Saturdays…ANDREW BAILEY, who needs to record four more points to reach 200 WHL points, is tied seventh in the League in power play goals with eight…JOHN NEGRIN (4-26-30), who needs to record two more points to reach 100 WHL points, is tenth in the WHL in defencemen scoring…MICHAEL STICKLAND needs to record nine more points to reach 100 WHL career points…MATT FRASER played in his 100 game with the ICE on January 2 in EDMONTON…MAX REINHART and TEAM PACIFIC won a silver medal at the 2009 WORLD UNDER 17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE in PORT ALBERNI, BC while DREW CZERWONKA and TEAM WEST finished in fourth place…BRAYDEN MCNABB and NATHAN LIEUWEN have been selected to play in the 2009 HOME HARDWARE CHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME on January 14 in OSHAWA, ON.

INJURIES / TRANSACTION: STEELE BOOMER will be out of the KOOTENAY line up indefinitely with a concussion…DUSTIN SYLVESTER will be out of the ICE line up ten to 12 weeks with an ankle injury… DOMINIK PACOVSKY will be out of the KOOTENAY line up five to seven days with a rib injury…The ICE have traded THOMAS HEEMSKERK to the EVERETT SILVERTIPS in exchange for a third round pick in the 2010 WHL BANTAM DRAFT.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 42 games of the 2007-2008 season the ICE were 25-14-3-0, after 43 games 25-15-3-0 and 44 games 26-15-3-0.

UPCOMING WEEK:
Tuesday January 6 Practice 4:00 – 5:45 pm Cranbrook Rec Plex
Wednesday January 7 Practice 4:00 – 5:45 pm Cranbrook Rec Plex
Thursday January 8 Practice 4:00 – 5:45 pm Cranbrook Rec Plex
Friday January 9 ICE vs. Vancouver 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Saturday January 10 ICE vs. Calgary 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)

WEEK IN REVIEW:
Wednesday, December 31 – Kootenay 2 vs Brandon 3 – Record 19-15-2-3 – Attendance: 3,203
Goals:
1 – Stephens (13) from Rintoul and McNabb
2 – Bailey (16) from Stephens and Stickland
Goalies: Todd Mathews (7 Saves, 3 GA), Nathan Lieuwen (17 Saves, 0 GA)

Friday, January 2 – Kootenay 1 @ Edmonton 4 – Record 19-16-2-4 – Attendance: 5,149
Goal:
1 – Fraser (8) from Barteaux and Negrin
Goalies: Nathan Lieuwen (16 Saves, 4 GA), Todd Mathews (3 Saves, 0 GA)

Saturday, January 3 – Kootenay 0 @ Calgary 2 – Record 19-17-2-4 – Attendance: 7,469
Goalie: Nathan Lieuwen (25 Saves, 2 GA)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

U-17 Wrap-Up

Max Reinhart and Team Pacific took Silver after losing to Ontario in the Gold Medal game. Drew Czerwonka and Team West finished in 4th after losing to USA in the Bronze Medal game. Reinhart had 2 goals and 1 assist in 6 games and Czerwonka had 2 assists in 6 games.

Calgary 2 Kootenay 0

For the 4th time this season the ICE were shutout as Martin Jones backstopped the Hitmen to a 2-0. The insurance goal was into an empty net.
For the 1st time this season the ICE used a 1-4 forecheck and that took Calgary's mobile defense out of the game. After Calgary had a 1-0 lead they also play the system known as the trap.
ICE had 20 shots on goal in the 2nd period but with 5 of their top 9 forwards not in the line-up the goals have been hard to come by lately.
A 5-game homestand starts Friday against Vancouver.
Saturday is the trade deadline.
I don't expect the ICE to trade any of their future to help for this year but do need 2 forwards with injuries to Dustin Sylvester and Steele Boomer. Plus with the club losing 3 defensmen to graduation (Negrin, Barteaux & Frere) they also have some holes to fill for next year. But if needed they could be filled with trades in the off season.

U-17 Day 6

Drew Czerwonka had 2 assists for Team West in a 7-4 loss to Ontario in the Semi-Finals. Max Reinhart scored the tying goal late in the 3rd period to force overtime as Team Pacific beat the USA 6-5 in the other Semi-Final.
West plays USA for the Bronze.
Pacific meets Ontario for the Gold.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Kootenay @ Calgary

The ICE are in Calgary to play the Hitmen at the Saddledome. Hitmen leads the season series 3-1.
Steele Boomer suffered a head injury in Edmonton and the ICE are now missing 5 of their top 9 forwards.
The ICE will have 9 17-year olds, 1 16-year-old and 1 15-year-old against the Hitmen who are 21-1-0-1 in their last 23 games.

Friday, January 2, 2009

U-17 Day 5

Max Reinhart and Team Pacific lost 6-3 to Ontario while Drew Czerwonka and Team West lost 7-0 to USA.
Saturday it's the Semi-Finals as West plays Ontario and Pacific meets USA.

Edmonton 4 Kootenay 1

The ICE have lost 3 games ina row with a 4-1 loss in Edmonton. Matt Fraser had their only goal. Saturday they visit the Calgary Hitmen who are 21-1-0-1 in their last 23 games.
The ICE have now had 13 rookies play for them this year after Simon Skrudland played in his 1st game.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

U-17 Day 4

Friday is the final day of round robin play at the Under-17 tournamnet in Port Alberni. ICE forward Max Reinhart and Team Pacific are a perfect 3-0 as is Drew Czerwonka and Team West. Today West plays USA and Pacific meets Ontario.

Kootenay @ Edmonton

The Kootenay ICE will open the New Year Friday in Edmonton. Forward Dominik Pacovsky suffered a bruised lung on Wednesday and will miss both weekend games. The club has called up to 2 list players to help them have a complete roster. Edmonton native Jordan Bauer and Calgary native Simon Skrudland will play in both games. Bauer started the year with the ICE while Skrudland will be making his WHL debut. Both played in the Mac's Tournament in Calgary.
After losing the 1st 2 meetings the ICE shutout the Oil Kings in the last meeting.