Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forwards Brock Montgomery and Sam Reinhart each had hat-tricks in a 7-5 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers in WHL action on Friday night.
In relief ICE goalie Wyatt Hoflin earned his 1st career win.
The only other time 2 ICE players had 3 goals in the same game was January 26/01 with Marek Svatos and Tyler Beechey having hat-tricks in a 10-7 win over Kyle Kettles and the Medicine Hat Tigers.
The ICE (17-24-1-0) scored on their first shot on goal on an odd-man rush with Sam Reinhart scoring with a wrist shot on the blocker side.
On the powerplay the ICE made it 2-0 with Luke Philp finding a loose puck near the crease and he lifted it into the net.
1:16 later Sam Reinhart scored his 2nd of the game as he cruised through the low slot and deked out the goalie.
The Tigers (19-21-2-1) scored late in the period as Logan McVeigh’s attempted pass from the corner went off an ICE skate and into the net.
Early in the second period the Tigers scored on a 3-on-1 with Boston Leir scoring with a wrist shot high on the stick side.
22 seconds later the Tigers tied the game as the ICE goalie got caught behind the net and Elgin Pearce was alone in front of the net for an easy goal.
Less than 3 minutes later Elgin Pearce banged in his 2nd of the period.
The ICE changed goalies with Wyatt Hoflin replacing Mackenzie Skapski.
The ICE tied the game 4-4 on the powerplay with a deflection by Brock Montgomery off a point shot from Joey Leach.
Late in the period the ICE scored on a 2-on-1 break with Levi Cable feeding Brock Montgomery for a one-time shot and his 2nd of the period.
In the third period the Tigers tied the game 5-5 on the powerplay as Curtis Valk’s attempted pass went off an ICE skate into the net.
Late in the period Brock Montgomery completed his 2nd career hat-trick as he went to the net and fired in a wrist shot.
Sam Reinhart completed his 2nd career hat-trick with an empty net goal.
The ICE have won 7 games in a row.
Joey Leach (7 games), Sam Reinhart (5 games) and Jaedon Descheneau (5 games) all extended their point streaks.
Earlier in the day the ICE named Joey Leach the 17th Captain in Franchise history, the Assistants are Brock Montgomery, Sam Reinhart and Jagger Dirk.
This was the 1st game in Cranbrook for Medicine Hat this season and only 7 regulars from last years’ line-up are still with the team.
Newly added ICE defenseman Landon Peel will join the club next week.
The ICE will visit Spokane on Saturday.
ICE Scratches – None.
Game Summary
Medicine Hat 19-21-2-1 Kootenay 17-24-1-0
1st Period-
1, Kootenay, Reinhart 17 (Descheneau, Skapski), 1:21.
2, Kootenay, Philp 12 (Vetterl, Prochazka), 13:23 (PP).
3, Kootenay, Reinhart 18 (Descheneau, Leach), 14:48.
4, Medicine Hat, McVeigh 11 (Leier, Cox), 17:12.
Penalties-Staples M.h (hooking), 3:48; Sanford M.h (interference), 12:01; Leach Ktn (roughing), 15:05.
2nd Period-
5, Medicine Hat, Leier 8 1:15.
6, Medicine Hat, Pearce 17 (Leier, Doty), 1:37.
7, Medicine Hat, Pearce 18 (Lewington, Cox), 4:03.
8, Kootenay, Montgomery 16 (Dirk, Leach), 7:55 (PP).
9, Kootenay, Montgomery 17 (Cable, Faith), 18:07.
Penalties-Montgomery Ktn (cross checking), 5:27; Lewington M.h (interference), 7:25; Dirk Ktn (roughing), 12:21.
3rd Period-
10, Medicine Hat, Valk 24 (Pearce, Bredo), 12:54 (PP).
11, Kootenay, Montgomery 18 (Descheneau, Faith), 16:42 (PP).
12, Kootenay, Reinhart 19 (Philp, Cable), 19:35.
Penalties-Valk M.h (cross checking), 2:29; Descheneau Ktn (slashing), 9:57; Martin Ktn (inter. on goaltender), 12:26; Lewington M.h (hooking), 15:12.
Shots on Goal-Medicine Hat 7-17-15-39. Kootenay 11-13-15-39.
Power Play Opportunities-Medicine Hat 1 / 5; Kootenay 3 / 5.
Goalies-Medicine Hat, Lanigan 14-9-1-1 (39 shots-32 saves). Kootenay, Skapski 16-16-0-0 (12 shots-8 saves); Hoflin 1-8-1-0 (27 shots-26 saves).
A-2,450
Referees-Cole Hamm (51), Colin Stefanyk (14).
Linesmen-Michael Boisvert (111), Jim Maniago (85).