Cranbrook, BC – The Kootenay ICE scored 4 3rd period goals in a 4-1 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes in WHL action on Saturday night.
Hurricanes opened the as Zach Boychuk received a behind the net pass from Crater Bancks and scored on a one-timer.
ICE tied it 1-1 while shorthanded and Andrew Bailey was on a 2-on-1 with a wrist shot high on the stick side.
ICE moved ahead 2-1 as Hayden Rintoul scored after receiving a pass from Bailey as went in on a partial breakaway and put it high on glove side.
On a 5-on-3 power-play Ian Barteaux scored on a snapshot high on the stick side.
ICE ended the scoring while shorthanded as Barteaux scored into an empty net
Hurricanes starting goalie Juha Metsola left the game on stretcher after being involved in a collision in the crease. Michael Tajdeh replaced him in the net with 2:58 left in the 1st period.
The start by ICE goalie Nathan Lieuwen was his first since Jan 29th, but was replaced by Todd Mathews to start the 2nd period.
ICE Scratches – Scott Orth, Cason Machacek, Matt Fraser and Dustin Sylvester.
The ICE finish the regular season I 6th place in the standings and will meet #3 Brandon in the 1st round of the playoffs. It’s the 1st time they will have ever met in the post season.
Games 1 & 2 are in Brandon Friday and Saturday.
Games 3 & 4 are in Cranbrook Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th.
Lethbridge finish in 7th place and will meet #2 Saskatoon in the 1st round.
Game Summary
Lethbridge 35-31-3-2 Kootenay 35-29-2-6
1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties – Boomer Ktn (trippng) 8:57, Bailey Ktn (roughing) 20:00.
2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties – Boychuk Leth (interference) 8:09, Yadlowski Leth (holding) 10:40, Bancks Leth (check from behind) 11:29, Ryckman Leth (interference) 16:11, Bancks Leth King Ktn (roughing) 16:54, Barteaux Ktn (interference) 18:08.
3rd Period
1. Lethbridge, Boychuk 28 (Bancks) :22
2. Kootenay, Bailey 28 (McNabb) 3:47 sh
3. Kootenay, Rintoul 8 (Bailey, Reinhart) 12:04
4. Kootenay, Barteaux 9 (King, Bailey) 16:07 pp
5. Kootenay, Barteaux (2) 10 (McNabb) 17:55 sh en
Penalties – Frere Ktn (holding) :33, Martin Ktn (roughing) 2:22, Versteeg Leth (holding) 14:39, King Leth (tripping) 15:30,
Shots on goal by
Lethbridge - 5 – 4 - 9 = 18
Kootenay - 14 – 9 – 13 = 36
Goal (shots-saves) – Lethbridge: Juha Metsola (11-11), Michael Tadjdeh (L 10-9-0-0) (17:02 1st period) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen 5-5), Todd Mathews (W 17-18-0-3)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Lethbridge: 0/6 Kootenay: 1/6
Referees – Derek Herman, Graham Skilliter
Linesmen – Steve Cochrane, Jim Maniago
Attendance – 3,833