Cranbrook, BC – The Kootenay ICE have reached the 40-win mark with a 4-1 win over the Prince Albert Raiders in WHL action on Friday night.
ICE opened the scoring on the powerplay as Cody Eakin’s wrist shot was deflected through the goalies’ legs by Matt Fraser. Fraser leads the club with 12 power-play goals.
Early in the 2nd period the ICE took a 2-0 lead on a 2-on-2 break as Eric Benoit came down the left wing and wristed a shot that went of the goalies’ elbow and trickled into the net.
Late in the period Steele Boomer won a face-off in the Raiders zone, Brendan Hurley’s shot was stopped by Boomer, who was laying on the ice, swept it around the goalie for the goal.
In the 3rd period the Raisers scored on a power-play as Justin Maylan pounced on a rebound and scored with a spin-around forehand shot.
Raiders pulled their goalie and Brauden McNabb scored into an empty net from deep in his own zone as his clearing attempt went off the glass, over the Raiders heads and slide into the empty net.
ICE lead the season series 3-0 and have outscored the Raiders by a combined score of 15-2.
McNabb had 1 goal and 1 assist and Cody Eakin had 2 assists.
Kevin King (14 games) and Max Reinhart (8 games) had their point streaks stopped.
The ICE have reached 40 wins in 6 of the last 7 seasons.
Defenseman Joey Leach returned after missing 16 games to an ankle injury.
ICE will host Kamloops on Saturday.
ICE Scratches – Luke Paulsen (2nd game shoulder 4-6 weeks), Brock Montgomery (3rd game pelvis/hip 1-2 weeks).
Game Summary
Prince Albert 25-32-2-3 Kootenay 40-18-1-3
1st Period
1. Kootenay, Fraser 29 (Eakin, McNabb) 16:17 pp
Penalties – Lieuwen Ktn (delay of game; served by Czerwonka) 4:02, Maylan PA (hooking) 11:01, Herle PA (tripping) 15:36.
2nd Period
2. Kootenay, Benoit 4 (Pearce, Leach) 3:06
3. Kootenay, Boomer 10 (Hurley) 16:29
Penalties – Hurlery Ktn (goalie interference) 6:10, Deck PA (tripping) 14:05.
3rd Period
4. Prince Albert, Maylan 14 (Deck, Bettauer) 17:25 pp
5. Kootenay, McNabb 19 (en) 19:04 en
Penalties – Ismond Ktn (interference) 1:21, Rowley PA (holding) 8:24, McNabb Ktn (tripping) 15:35.
Shots on goal by
Prince Albert – 6 - 12 – 13 = 31
Kootenay – 16 – 12 – 11 = 39
Goal (shots-saves) – Prince Albert: Eric Williams (L 15-14-1-1) (38-35) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W 29-13-1-2) (31-30)
Power plays (goals-chances) – Prince Albert: 1/4 Kootenay: 1/4
Referees – Reagan Vetter, Dan Cowley
Linesmen – Sean Donnelly, Cory Lundquist
Attendance – 2,427