Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forwards Matt Fraser and Max Reinhart each scored twice in a 5-2 win over the Saskatoon Blades, to win the 2nd round series 4-0, in WHL Playoff action on Wednesday night.
For the 1st time in the series the Blades got a lead by scoring the 1st goal of the game. The Blades forecheck created a 2-on-1 break deep in the zone and Brent Benson fed Josh Nicholls at the top of the crease who scored with a redirection.
Early in the 2nd period the ICE tied the game on the powerplay as Max Reinhart had the puck at the left circle and scored with a wrist shot the went off the goalies shoulder and rolled into the net.
The ICE forcecheck won the puck in the Blades zone as Jesse Ismond fed Cody Eakin in the slot and his shot went of the cross bar and Matt Fraser was at the goaline to put the puck into the net.
Early in the 3rd period the ICE took a 3-1 led as Brayden McNabb’s point shot was stopped and Max Reinhart was near the net for the rebound and scored with a backhand chip shot.
The ICE created a turnover at centre ice that sent them on a 2-on-1 break and Joe Antilla fed Matt Fraser who scored with a wrist shot that beat the goalie on the short side.
Blades scored late in the period as Matej Stransky fed Darian Dziurzynski who had an open net near the crease.
Blades had a powerplay with 1:32 left and pulled their goalie for a 2-man skater advantage. Cody Eakin generated a breakaway at the blueline and skated it deep and scored into the empty net.
Blades powerplay went 0–16 in the series.
Blades held a lead for 5:01 in the entire series.
The line combination of Matt Fraser-Max Renhart-Joe Antilla combined for 18 points in the series.
The ICE outscored Saskatoon 15-5 in the 4 game series.
It’s the 5th time the ICE have swept a series. (Everett 05, Seattle 02, Moose Jaw 01, Red Deer 00)
It’s their 15 career playoff series win and only the 5th time they clinched at home.
In the 2002 Memorial Cup run the ICE clinched 3 series on home ice.
(05 Kamloops, 02 Red Deer, 02 Kelowna, 02 Prince George)
ICE have tied a Franchise Record with a playoff 7-game winning streak.
(Mar 30-Apr 12/05, Apr 2-20/02)
ICE will meet the winner of the Red Deer-Medicine Hat series in the Eastern Conference Finals.
ICE scratches – Brock Montgomery, Adam Rossignol.
Blades scratches – Levi Bews, Tommy Stipancik, Tanner Sohn.
Game Summary
Kootenay wins series 4-0
1st Period
1. Saskatoon, Nicholls 4 (Benson, Hamilton) 16:00
Penalties – King Ktn (delay of game) 3:21, McNabb Ktn (roughing) 11:35, Zahn Sask (interference) Siemens Sask (unsportsmanlike) Ismond Ktn (unsportsmanlike) 19:45.
2nd Period
2. Kootenay, Reinhart 6 (McNabb, Fraser) 1:01 pp
3. Kootenay, Fraser 9 (Eakin, Ismond) 7:43
Penalties – King Ktn (goalie interference) 3:38, Dziurzynski Sask (elbowing) 5:25.
3rd Period
4. Kootenay, Reinhart (2) 7 (McNabb) 1:06
5. Kootenay, Fraser (2) 10 (Antilla, Pearce) 8:15
6. Saskatoon, Dziurzysnki 3 (Stransky, Benson) 18:14
7. Kootenay, Eakin 3 (McNabb, Leach) 18:37 en sh
Penalties – Dietz Sask (tripping) 13:50, Martin Ktn (hooking) 18:28.
Shots on goal by
Saskatoon – 15 - 9 – 11 = 35
Kootenay - 14 – 15 – 14 = 43
Goal (shots-saves) – Saskatoon: Steven Stanford (L 4-6) (42-38) Kootenay: Nathan Lieuwen (W 8-2) (35-33)
Power plays (goals-chances) - Saskatoon: 0/4 Kootenay: 1/4
Referees – Pat Smith, Derek Zalaski
Linesmen – Chris Carlson, Jeff Jobson
Attendance – 3,021