Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE Captain Brayden McNabb had 1 goal and 2 assists and Nathan Lieuwen made 20 saves for his 2nd career playoff shutout in a 3-0 win over the Saskatoon Blades, in the 3rd game of the 2nd round of the playoffs, in WHL Playoff action on Tuesday night.
For the 3rd game in a row the ICE scored the 1st goal of the game. On the powerplay the ICE found Brayden McNabb sneaking in from the blueline and his wrist shot was stopped but fell behind the goalie and Jesse Ismond crashed the crease to get the puck into the net.
Early in the 2nd period the ICE took a 2-0 lead on a 3-on-2 rush and Brayden McNabb waited for everyone to go deep into the zone and went to the slot alone against the goalie, faked a shot to get the goalie to go down and eventually scored into an empty net.
Midway through the 3rd period Drew Czerwonka’s long shot was stopped but Joe Antilla pounced on the rebound and scored with a back hand chip shot.
Nathan Lieuwen has tied a Franchsie Record with 2 shutouts in one playoff season. (BJ Boxma 02, Dan Blackburn 00)
Brayden McNabb has a tied a record for most points in one playoff game by a defenseman. It's the 2nd time in this years playoffs that he has registered a 3 point game. (Mike Busto 05, Gerard Dicaire 03, Cole Fischer 01, Scott Roles 99)
Jesse Ismond's goal was his first career playoff goal and 1st playoff game winner.
ICE have won 6 playoff games in a row and the Franchise Record is 7.
(2005 and 2002)
ICE scratches – Brock Montgomery, Adam Rossignol.
Blades scratches – Levi Bews, Tommy Stipancik, Tanner Sohn.
Game Summary
Kootenay leads series 3-0
Game 4 is Wednesday in Cranbrook.
1st Period
1. Kootenay, Ismond 1 (McNabb, Fraser) 18:34 pp
Penalties – King Sask (goalie interference) 2:28, Ismond Ktn (roughing) 5:32, Leach Ktn (cross checking) 15:22, Stransky Sask (interference) 18:18.
2nd Period
2. Kootenay, McNabb 3 1:58
Penalties – Dietz Sask (elbowing) 6:33, Olsen Sask (high sticking) 12:45.
3rd Period
3. Kootenay, Antilla 6 (Czerwonka, McNabb) 12:18
Penalties – Dziurzynski Sask (cross checking) 10:04, Stransky Sask King Ktn (roughing) 13:22, Hurley Ktn (roughing, misconduct) 20:00
Shots on goal by
Saskatoon - 6 - 4 – 12 = 22
Kootenay - 10 – 17 - 9 = 36
Goal (shots-saves) – Saskatoon: Steven Stanford (L 4-5) (36-33) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W 7-2) (22-22)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Saskatoon: 0/3 Kootenay: 1/4
Referees – Matt Kirk, Andy Theissen
Linesmen – Mike Roberts, Scott Sharun
Attendance – 3,065