Cranbrook, BC – Calgary Hitmen remain undefeated as they beat the Kootenay ICE 2-1 in WHL action on Friday Night.
Calgary got the only of the goal of the first period on the powerplay as Chase Schaber scored on a slap shot from the top of the circle and went through the goalies’ legs.
Calgary added a goal in the second period as Joel Broda was left alone in front of the ICE net and scored on a one-timer on a feed from Brandon Kozun. Kozun entered the weekend leading the WHL in scoring.
The ICE spoiled Michael Snider’s bid for his 1st career shutout as defensman Petr Senkerik scored his 1st career goal on a power-play with a long shot from the blue line that went in high on the glove side.
It was the last shot on goal for the ICE who pulled their goalie with 1:32 left.
It was the first of eight meetings between the clubs, last year the Hitmen won the season series 5-3 with 2 games going into overtime.
Calgary is ranked #1 in the CHL rankings.
The ICE will play 6 road games in the next 10 days starting Saturday in Medicine Hat.
Calgary will host Moose Jaw on Sunday and it’s the Hitmen’s 15th Birthday Party Celebration as they will wear a special theme jersey.
ICE are without Christian Magnus (Broken Finger 4-6 weeks) and Drew Czerwonka (Leg Laceration 4-6 weeks). Cason Machacek (Fly day-to-day) and Hayden Rintoul (Flu day-to-day) were also scratched.
Hitmen have one injured player in goalie Martin Jones (Ankle 1-2 weeks). Other scratches were Eric Bonsor, Cody Gross, Jaynen Rissling, Jesse Hilton and MacKenzie Royer.
Game Summary
Calgary 5-0-0-0 Kootenay 2-3-0-0
1st Period
1. Calgary, Schaber 2 (Fisenko, Foucault) 9:20 pp
Penalties – Aschim Calg (fighting) Pearce Ktn (fighting) 5:36, Ismond Ktn (cross checking) 7:44.
2nd Period
2. Calgary, Broda 2 (Kozun, Fiddler) 8:13
Penalties – Foucault Calg (holding) :44, Stone Calg (cross ccheck) Fiddler Calg (roughing) Sylvester Ktn (roughing) 11:19, Wilson Calg (slashing) 14:17.
3rd Period
3. Kootenay, Senkerik 1 (McNabb, King) 16:42 pp
Penalties – Aschim Calg (tripping) 16:00.
Shots on goal by
Calgary - 18 - 4 – 11 = 33
Kootenay – 11 – 22 - 7 = 40
Goal (shots-saves) – Calgary: Michael Snider (W 2-0-0-0) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (L 2-2-0-0)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Calgary: 1/1 Kootenay: 1/4
Referee – Pat Smith
Linesmen – Steve Cochrane, Ian Shaver
Attendance – 2,696