Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Farewell

Big decisions in life don't come easy and after much reflection I have decided to take a leap of faith in my career and this will be my last posting as the Voice of the ICE as I will not be returning next season.

Being a play-by-play announcer has always been my number one career goal and have enjoyed the past 16 years more than I thought possible.
The combination of the radio station and hockey is the best in WHL and have been extremely fortunate to be in this situation.
From day one The Drive/B-104 (Jim Pattison Broadcast Group) gave me total freedom to create a broadcast from the ground up and always gave me the equipment and tools to have a top quality broadcast.
The ICE have been 100% professional in dealing with me from a media stand point and never ever gave us a muzzle or filter in our coverage of the team.

Obviously I have been extremely fortunate to cover 3 WHL Championship teams and a Memorial Cup winning team. Whenever I am asked for my favorite all-time moment or game I have at least a dozen to choose from and can never narrow it down to just one. It has been an amazing, remarkable and unforgettable time.

I won't waste your time in thanking everyone on social media as I prefer to do that in person.

But to you the fans, thanx for listening.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Team Sask U-16 Summer Camp Roster

Lance Alm Rockhaven Goalie
Jake Davidson Osler Goalie
Riley Kohonick White City Goalie
Dean McNabb Davidson Goalie
Nathan Moore Regina Goalie
Jordan Schmuland White City Goalie

Kaleb Bulych Yorkton Defense
Devan Harrison Dysart Defense
Conner Hayward Naicam Defense
Alex Kannok Regina Defense
Layne Matechuk Colonsay Defense
Reid Perepeluk Yorkton Defense
Tyler Pryhitka Melville Defense
Layne Schroeder Saskatoon Defense
Jevon Schwean Moosomin Defense
Tauran Simonar-Hayes Saskatoon Defense
Matthew Smith Saskatoon Defense
Keanan Sperling Theodore Defense

Matt Allardyce Saskatoon Forward
Jordan Bairos Saskatoon Forward
Rin Beny Melville Forward
Kaden Boser Saskatoon Forward
Carson Denomie Regina Forward
Austen Flaman Emerald Park Forward
Carson Focht Regina Forward
Cole Fonstad Estevan Forward
Brodie Girod Corman Park Forward
Brett Kemp Yorkton Forward
Zack Kosteniuk White City Forward
Tyler Lees Regina Forward
Eli Lieffers Saskatoon Forward ICE 2015 4th round Draft pick
Colum McGauley Wilcox Forward
Carson Miller Yorkton Forward
Connor Mylymok Wilcox Forward
Owen Ozar Prince Albert Forward
Jacob Piller Balgonie Forward
Connor Pyne White City Forward
Randen Schmidt Regina Forward
Lukas Sillinger Regina Forward
Kaeden Taphorn Yorkton Forward
Keenan Taphorn Yorkton Forward ICE 2015 2nd round Bantam pick
Jake Tremblay Pense Forward

Thursday, May 7, 2015

ICE Bantam Draft

http://www.kootenayice.net/article/ice-select-ten-players-at-2015-whl-bantam-draft
Calgary, AB – Garnet Kazuik, Director of Scouting for the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club today announced the Club has selected ten players in the 26th annual Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. The 2015 WHL Bantam Draft was for players born in the year 2000 and playing in the four Western Provinces and selected regions of the United States. Each of the players selected today are at least one year away from playing regularly in the WHL.

"In drafting six forwards and four defensemen, we believe have selected a good variety of players that will complement our existing roster and prospect pool. Our scouting staff looks forward to welcoming them to Training Camp in August and watching them develop within the ICE organization,” commented Kazuik.


Round Two – 34th Overall – KEENAN TAPHORN
Birthdate: January 2, 2000
Hometown: Yorkton, SK
Position: Right Wing
Height: 6'
Weight: 157 lbs.
14-15 Team: Yorkton Terriers - SBAAHL

Round Three – 56th Overall – LOEDEN SCHAUFLER
Birthdate: April 26, 2000
Hometown: Dewinton, AB
Position: Defense
Height: 5'11.5"
Weight: 170 lbs.
14-15 Team: Notre Dame Hounds - SSMHL

Round Four – 78th Overall – ELI LIEFFERS
Birthdate: March 25, 2000
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Position: Centre
Height: 5'11.5"
Weight: 145 lbs.
14-15 Team: Saskatoon Maniacs - SBAAHL

Round Six – 122nd Overall – BENJAMIN SANDERSON
Birthdate: July 4, 2000
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Position: Left Wing
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 155 lbs.
14-15 Team: Calgary Flames - AMBHL

Round Six – 123rd Overall – BOBBY RUSSELL
Birthdate: March 22, 2000
Hometown: Langley, BC
Position: Defense
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 155 lbs.
14-15 Team: Delta Bantam Prep - CSSHL

Round Seven – 144th Overall – MICHAEL KING
Birthdate: February 16, 2000
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Position: Centre
Height: 5'10.5"
Weight: 147 lbs.
14-15 Team: Winnipeg Sharks - WBAAAHL

Round Eight – 166th Overall – LUKE PENNER
Birthdate: April 3, 2000
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Position: Defense
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 160 lbs.
14-15 Team: Saskatoon Generals - SBAAHL

Round Nine – 188th Overall – MICHAEL ARAKI-YOUNG
Birthdate: January 23, 2000
Hometown: Richmond, BC
Position: Centre
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 145 lbs.
14-15 Team: Richmond Blues - PCBHL

Round Ten – 210th Overall – LUCAS GAUDET
Birthdate: April 17, 2000
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
Position: Defense
Height: 6'
Weight: 165 lbs.
14-15 Team: Pursuit of Excellence Bantam Prep - CSSHL

Round Eleven – 232nd Overall – AUSTIN WONG
Birthdate: August 25, 2000
Hometown: Cochrane, AB
Position: Forward
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 135 lbs.
14-15 Team: Airdrie Xtreme - AMBHL

Thursday, April 23, 2015

2015 Bantam Draft

ICE do not have their 1st round pick, traded to Kamloops in the Tim Bozon trade. The pick now belongs to Saskatoon.
5th round pick was also traded to Kamloops in the Bozon trade.
12th round pick belongs to Lethbridge in the Lenny Hackman trade,
ICE have the Victoria Royals 5th round pick from the Jayden Sittler trade.

ICE Prospects Update

Declan Hobbs
16-year-old goalie
3rd round pick in 2013 Bantam Draft
Sask AAA Midget Saskatoon 29 GP 16-13-0 3.56 .904% 1 SO
Playoffs 5 GP 2-3 4.30 .901%
Kootenay ICE 2 GP 0-0-1-0 3.98 .875%

Jakob Walter
15-year-old goalie
2nd round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
BC Midget Valley West 24 GP 7-9-4 3.92
Playoffs 1 GP 0-1 6.00

Dallas Hines
16–year-old defenseman
5th round pick in 2013 Bantam Draft
Alberta AAA Midget Lloydminster

Sam Huston
15-year-old defenseman
9th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
Manitoba AAA Midget Brandon 43 GP 4-18-22 14pm
Playoffs 14 GP 3-2-5 4pm

Matt Krawiec
16-year-old defenseman
6th round pick in 2013 Bantam Draft
Alberta AAA Midget Leduc

Griffin Mendel
15-year-old defenseman
1st round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
BC Midget Okanagan 41 GP 7-24-31 2pm
BCHL Penticton 2 GP 0-0-0 0pm
Canada Winter Games injured did not play

Mark O’Shaughnessy
17-year-old defenseman
KIJHL Kamloops 39 GP 7-32-39 12pm
Playoffs 21 GP 2-10-12 26pm

Reece Soukoroff
16-year-old defenseman
Alberta AAA Midget Calgary

Jordan Steenbergen
18-year-old defenseman
3rd round pick in 2011 Bantam Draft
AJHL Olds 36 GP 2-4-6 98pm
Playoffs 3 GP 0-1-1 31pm
Kootenay ICE 12 GP 0-0-0 25pm

Andy Stevens
16-year-old defenseman
5th round in 2013 Bantam Draft
VIJHL Campbell River 40 GP 2-15-17 4pm
BCHL Powell River 3 GP 0-1-1 0pm
Playoffs 4 GP 0-1-1 0pm

Jason Wenzel
16-year-old defenseman
Alberta AAA Midget Calgary

Austin Wieler
15-year-old forward
7th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
Sask AAA Midget Saskatoon 33 GP 0-2-2 6pm
Playoffs 5 GP 0-0-0 0pm

Shane Allan
17-year-old forward
7th round pick in 2012 Bantam Draft
Alberta AAA Midget Calgary

Linden Babcock
15-year-old forward
5th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
Alberta Minor Midget Calgary 37 GP 22-47-69 48pm
Playoffs 5 GP3-3-6 0pm

Connor Barley
16-year-old forward
7th round pick in 2013 Bantam Draft
Manitoba AAA Midget Winnipeg 43 GP 19-19-38 42pm
Playoffs 8 GP 1-0-1 4pm

Liam Evenson
15-year-old forward
BC Elite 15s Burnaby 44 GP 21-17-38 49pm

Thomas Goldade
15-year-old forward
11th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
CSSHL Pursuit Of Excellence 21 GP 4-5-9 4pm
Playoffs 3 GP 0-0-0 0pm

Robert Johnson
16-year-old forward
5th round pick in 2013 Bantam Draft
BCHL Trail 30 GP 0-11-11 20pm
Committed to Air Force

Jared Legien
16-year-old forward
1st round pick on 2013 Bantam Draft
Sask AAA Midget Moose Jaw 29 GP 10-9-19 18pm
Playoffs 3 GP 2-0-2 2pm
Kootenay ICE 13 GP 0-1-1 4pm

Austin Nault
15-year-old forward
9th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
NAPHL Omaha 11 GP 0-1-1 2pm

Eric Olson
15-year-old forward
Alberta Minor Midget Calgary 36 GP 16-17-33 52pm
Playoffs 5 GP 8-1-9 4pm

Max Patterson
15-year-old forward
4th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
BC Midget Okanagan 52 GP 16-16-32 26pm
KIJHL Kamloops 4 GP 2-3-5 0pm
Playoffs 7 GP 3-5-8 0pm

Harris Pearce
15-year-old forward
BC Midget Vancouver 39 GP 10-9-19 30pm
Playoffs 6 GP 1-2-3 0pm

Noah Philp
16-year-old forward
AJHL Canmore 31 GP 1-2-3 8pm

Logan Schatz
17-year-old forward
9th round pick in 2012 Bantam Draft
SJHL Humboldt 41 GP 5-14-19 18pm
Playoffs 3 GP 0-0-0 2pm

Evan Thomas
15-year-old forward
10th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
Sask AAA Midget Saskatoon 40 GP 4-6-10 10pm

Brett Trentham
15-year-old forward
8th round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft
Alberta Minor Midget AC 36 GP 21-31-52 14pm

Drew Warkentine
16-year-old forward
5th round pick in 2013 Bantam Draft
Sask AAA Midget Tisdale 44 GP 36-30-66 56pm
Playoffs 8 GP 6-5-11 6pm

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

ICE and McGill Part Ways

Cranbrook, BC -- Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club, today announced the Club and Head Coach Ryan McGill have mutually agreed to part ways when McGill's contract expires on June 30, 2015. McGill, who just completed his third year as bench boss was also the Head Coach of the Edmonton / Kootenay ICE from 1997-2002.

“Ryan is a good coach and we are thankful for all the contributions he has made to our Club. However, at this time, we feel we need a fresh face and voice moving forward to lead our team. We wish Ryan the very best as he moves on in his coaching career,” continued Chynoweth.

In eight seasons behind the bench Ryan McGill had a career regular season coaching record of 280-222-53, including back-to-back 100 point seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-2001), two conference titles, two WHL Championships (2000 and 2002) and one Memorial Cup Championship (2002). He was also named the WHL Coach of the Year in 2012-2013 and Western Conference Coach of the Year in 2001-2002. In his seven post-season appearances Ryan posted a 53-33 career playoff record.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE finished the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN with a 3-4 record (1-2 at home, 2-2 on the road, 1-2 in overtime)...KOOTENAY finished the 2014-15 regular season with a 37-31-1-3 record (21-13-1-1 at home, 16-18-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts) and in fourth place in the CENTRAL DIVISION and seventh place in the new playoff wildcard standings...The ICE clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...KOOTENAY completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 96-77 (51-33 at home, 45-44 on the road, 25-14 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 32 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-14 career record...SAM REINHART (36), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (29) and LUKE PHILP (28) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 35 points (13-22-35)...DESCHENEAU is second with 31 points (15-16-31)...KOOTENAY faced CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-3 career playoff series record).

DID YOU KNOW: LUKE PHILP has been named the BOSTON PIZZA TOP PLAYOFF PERFORMER for 2015 after recording 12 points (5-7-12) in seven games...PHILP is ranked 172nd among NORTH AMERICAN SKATERS in the NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING FINAL RANKINGS for the 2015 Draft... TIM BOZON was re-assigned to the HAMILTON BULLDOGS of the AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE April 8...SAM REINHART was re-assigned to the ROCHESTER AMERICANS of the AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE April 8...RINAT VALIEV was re-assigned to the TORONTO MARLIES of the AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE April 8...VALIEV matched a club record for most goals in a game by a defenseman (two) March 31 against CALGARY, sharing the mark with MATT WALKER (March 31, 2000) and JAGGER DIRK (March 24, 2014)...JAEDON DESCHENEAU registered at least one point in all seven playoff games for the ICE...CALE FLEURY recorded his first career playoff point (assists) April 6 against the HITMEN...LENNY HACKMAN recorded his first career playoff point (assist) April 1 versus CALGARY...TIM BOZON amassed a career high five points in one game March 31 against the HITMEN (2-3-5)...KOOTENAY set a new franchise record for most goals in a playoff game between both teams (15) March 31 versus the HITMEN...The previous record of 13 was first set March 29, 2003 at KAMLOOPS (ICE 6 at BLAZERS 7) before being matched March 24, 2014 against CALGARY (ICE 6 vs. HITMEN 7 OT).


WEEK IN REVIEW:
Tuesday, March 31 – Kootenay 7 vs. Calgary 8 (OT) – Record 1-2 – Attendance: 2,126
Goals:
1 - Reinhart (2) from Bozon and Murray
2 - Bozon (1) from Vetterl and Alfaro
3 - Reinhart (3) from Cable and Bozon
4 - Bozon (2) from Reinhart
5 - Valiev (1) from King and Bozon
6 - Alfaro (1) from Philp and Descheneau
7 - Valiev (2) from Philp and Descheneau
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (30 Saves, 8 GA)

Wednesday, April 1 – Kootenay 2 vs. Calgary 7 – Record 1-3 – Attendance: 2,147
Goals:
1 - Descheneau (3) from Reinhart and Hackman
2 - King (2) from Valiev and Philp
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (33 Saves, 6 GA)

Friday, April 3 – Kootenay 5 at Calgary 4 (OT) – Record 2-3 – Attendance: 9,121
Goals:
1 - Valiev (3) from Philp and Reinhart (PP)
2 - Cable (1) from Philp and Bozon
3 - Philp (3) from Descheneau and Murray (SH)
4 - Reinhart (4) from Bozon and Philp (PP)
5 - Philp (4) from Cable and Alfaro
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (24 Saves, 4 GA)

Saturday, April 4 – Kootenay 4 vs. Calgary 2 – Record 3-3 – Attendance: 2,645
Goals:
1 - Bozon (3) from Cable and King (PP)
2 - Descheneau (4) unassisted
3 - Philp (5) from Bozon
4 - Reinhart (5) from Descheneau (PP, EN)
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (25 Saves, 2 GA)

Monday, April 6 – Kootenay 2 at Calgary 6 – Record 3-4 – Attendance: 7,191
Goals:
1 - Reinhart (6) from Fleury
2 - Descheneau (5) unassisted
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (29 Saves, 6 GA)

Bozon,Valiev Reinhart To AHL

Montreal has re-assigned forward Tim Bozon to Hamilton.
Rinat Valiev has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies.
Sam Reinhart has been assigned to Rochester.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Calgary 6 Kootenay 2 Game 7

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/ice-fall-to-hitmen-in-game-seven
Three first-period goals paced the Calgary Hitmen to a 6-2 victory over the Kootenay ICE Monday at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The ICE got goals from Sam Reinhart and Jaedon Descheneau, but saw their season come to a close in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final.

Calgary fired 10 shots at the Kootenay goal in the first period, taking the lead at 1:12 through Connor Rankin. The twenty year-old scored a hat-trick in the opening frame, with one of his three goals coming on the power-play.

Chase Lang helped the Hitmen to a 4-0 lead 4:44 into period two before the ICE found the scoresheet later in the frame. Reinhart deflected home a Cale Fleury point shot at 14:36 for his sixth goal of the playoffs.

Calgary restored their four-goal advantage at 3:31 of the third period through Radel Fazleev. His goal was cancelled out by Descheneau 24 seconds later before Hitmen captain Kenton Helgesen rounded out the scoring with 4:48 to play.

Kootenay goaltender Wyatt Hoflin made 29 saves Monday, while Calgary netminder Mck Shields turned aside 11 shots.

The Hitmen will move on to face the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final.

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 3-3 record (1-2 at home, 2-1 on the road, 1-2 in overtime) after six games of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 96-76 (51-33 at home, 45-43 on the road, 25-14 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (35), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (28) and LUKE PHILP (27) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 34 points (12-22-34)...DESCHENEAU is second with 30 points (14-16-30)...KOOTENAY is facing CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...PHILP, who recorded a career high five points (2-3-5) April 3 at CALGARY, sits second in WHL playoff scoring with 12 points (5-7-12)…JAEDON DESCHENEAU (4-5-9) and TIM BOZON (3-6-9) are tied for fourth among WHL top playoff scorers with nine points...LENNY HACKMAN recorded his first career playoff point (assist) April 1 versus the HITMEN...ZAK ZBOROSKY and TANNER LISHCHYNSKY both recorded their first career playoff points (both assists) March 27 against CALGARY…TIM BOZON recorded a career high five points in one game March 31 versus the HITMEN (2-3-5)...RINAT VALIEV matched a club record for most goals in a game by a defenseman (two) March 31 against CALGARY...VALIEV shares the mark with MATT WALKER (March 31, 2000) and JAGGER DIRK (March 24, 2014)...KOOTENAY set a new franchise record for most goals in a playoff game between both teams (15) March 31 versus the HITMEN...The previous record of 13 was first set March 29, 2003 at KAMLOOPS (ICE 6 at BLAZERS 7) before being matched March 24, 2014 against CALGARY (ICE 6 vs. HITMEN 7 OT).

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game Six of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 4-2 against the CALGARY HITMEN.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Kootenay 4 Calgary 2 Game 6

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/ice-force-seventh-game

Wyatt Hoflin made 25 saves, and Luke Philp scored his second game-winning goal in as many nights as the Kootenay ICE defeated the Calgary Hitmen 4-2 Saturday at Western Financial Place.

Kootenay forced a seventh and deciding game in their Eastern Conference Quarter-Final after rallying from a 3-1 series deficit.

The ICE opened the scoring on a first-period power-play as Tim Bozon slapped a shot past Calgary netminder Brendan Burke at the 13:40 mark. Kootenay took a 1-0 lead into the intermission despite being outshot 9-6.

The Hitmen responded in period two. Leading scorer Adam Tambellini tucked home his fifth goal of the playoffs at 11:19 to even the score at 1-1.

The ICE reclaimed the lead minutes later on an individual effort from Jaedon Descheneau, who created a turnover in the neutral zone before barreling in on goal and outwaiting an outstretched Calgary netminder Mack Shields.

The two sides continued to trade chances through to the late stages of period three when, off an odd-man rush, Philp cruised towards the Hitmen goal and snapped a shot off the crossbar and in to give the hosts a 3-1 lead.

Tambellini narrowed the gap to one goal with a short-handed deflection tally with 1:25 to play, but Kootenay added an insurance marker thanks to captain Sam Reinhart, who chipped home an empty-net marker in the dying seconds of the third period.

The ICE finished 2-3 on the power-play, while Calgary was 0-3.

Shields made 12 saves in relief of Brendan Burke in the Hitmen goal. The Calgary starter left the game in the second period after stopping 13 of 14 shots.

UP NEXT: the ICE and Hitmen will play Game Seven at Scotiabank Saddledome Monday, April 6th. Game time is 7:00 pm.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 2-3 record (0-2 at home, 2-1 on the road, 1-2 in overtime) after five games of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 95-76 (50-33 at home, 45-43 on the road, 25-14 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (34), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (27) and LUKE PHILP (26) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 33 points (11-22-33)...DESCHENEAU is second with 28 points (13-15-28)...KOOTENAY is facing CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...PHILP, who recorded a career high five points (2-3-5) April 3 at CALGARY, is tied with ADAM TAMBELLINI of the HITMEN for the WHL playoff scoring lead with 11 points (4-7-11)...LENNY HACKMAN recorded his first career playoff point (assist) April 1 versus the HITMEN...ZAK ZBOROSKY and TANNER LISHCHYNSKY both recorded their first career playoff points (both assists) March 27 against CALGARY…TIM BOZON recorded a career high five points in one game March 31 versus the HITMEN (2-3-5)...RINAT VALIEV matched a club record for most goals in a game by a defenseman (two) March 31 against CALGARY...VALIEV shares the mark with MATT WALKER (March 31, 2000) and JAGGER DIRK (March 24, 2014)...KOOTENAY set a new franchise record for most goals in a playoff game between both teams (15) March 31 versus the HITMEN...The previous record of 13 was first set March 29, 2003 at KAMLOOPS (ICE 6 at BLAZERS 7) before being matched March 24, 2014 against CALGARY (ICE 6 vs. HITMEN 7 OT).

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game Five of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 3-2 and after Game Six were 4-2 against the CALGARY HITMEN.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

TONIGHT’S OFFICIALS: The Referees for tonight’s game are REAGAN VETTER and JEFF INGRAM...The Linesmen are SEAN DONNELLY and JARED MACKEY.

Kootenay 5 Calgary 4 OT Game 5

Luke Philp recorded, a career-high five points, including the overtime winner as the Kootenay ICE staved off elimination with a 5-4 victory over the Calgary Hitmen Friday at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The ICE rallied from a two-goal deficit to force a sixth game in their Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Saturday in Cranbrook.

Calgary opened the scoring just before the mid-point of period one when import forward Radel Fazleev outwaited ICE goaltender Wyatt Hoflin, tucking the puck in from the edge of the right crease for his first goal of the playoffs.

Kootenay answered back before the period was out on a power-play marker by Rinat Valiev, as the ICE capitalized on the first two-man advantage awarded to either team in the series.

Fazleev restored the Hitmen lead at 2-1 just 40 seconds into the second period, but his goal was cancelled out just over a minute later as a hard pass from Philp caromed off Cable's skate past Calgary netminder Brendan Burke.

Tallies from Jordy Stallard and Kenton Helgesen gave the Hitmen a 4-2 lead in the late stages of the period, but Kootenay again used special teams to their advantage.

Philp converted on a short-handed breakaway at 17:48 to cut the deficit to 4-3, then set up captain Sam Reinhart on an ICE power-play to tie the game at 4-4 nine seconds before the intermission.

Calgary outshot Kootenay 9-7 in period three with neither side able to gain an advantage before the end of regulation time.

In overtime, the Hitmen enjoyed the best chance early when leading scorer Adam Tambellini was set up on an odd-man rush three minutes in, but Hoflin stretched out with his glove hand to make a sprawling stop.

Philp found his game-winner minutes later firing a shot that caromed off Burke and a Calgary defenseman in front, giving the ICE their first playoff overtime victory since 2013, and first playoff extra-time win against the Hitmen since the year 2000.

Hoflin made 24 saves to collect the victory in goal for Kootenay, while Burke made 31 stops for Calgary.

UP NEXT: Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final is set for Saturday night at Western Financial Place. Game time is 7:00 pm. Single game tickets will be on sale at the Western Financial Place Box Office at 9:00 am Saturday.

Friday, April 3, 2015

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 1-3 record (0-2 at home, 1-1 on the road, 0-2 in overtime) after four games of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 94-76 (50-33 at home, 44-43 on the road, 24-14 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (33), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (26) and LUKE PHILP (25) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 31 points (10-21-31)...DESCHENEAU is second with 27 points (13-14-27)...KOOTENAY is facing CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...LENNY HACKMAN recorded his first career playoff point (assist) April 1 versus CALGARY...ZAK ZBOROSKY and TANNER LISHCHYNSKY both recorded their first career playoff points (both assists) March 27 against the HITMEN…TIM BOZON recorded a career high five points in one game March 31 versus the HITMEN (2-3-5)...RINAT VALIEV matched a club record for most goals in a game by a defenseman (two) March 31 against CALGARY...VALIEV shares the mark with MATT WALKER (March 31, 2000) and JAGGER DIRK (March 24, 2014)...KOOTENAY set a new franchise record for most goals in a playoff game between both teams (15) March 31 versus the HITMEN...The previous record of 13 was first set March 29, 2003 at KAMLOOPS (ICE 6 at BLAZERS 7) before being matched March 24, 2014 against CALGARY (ICE 6 vs. HITMEN 7 OT).

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game Four of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 2-2, after Game Five were 3-2, and after Game Six were 4-2 against the CALGARY HITMEN.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Calgary 7 Kootenay 2 Game 4

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/ice-fall-to-hitmen-in-game-four

Connor Rankin scored a hat-trick, while Adam Tambellini finished with four points as the Calgary Hitmen upended the Kootenay ICE 7-2 Wednesday at Western Financial Place.

The loss puts Kootenay down three games to one in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarter-Final, with Game Five set for Calgary on Friday night.

Rankin and defenseman Travis Sanheim put the Hitmen ahead 2-0 10:10 into the game with similar rebound goals, but the ICE found the scoresheet with three and a half minutes remaining in the opening frame when Jaedon Descheneau slapped a slot past Calgary netminder Brendan Burke from the right-wing circle.

The Hitmen extended their lead in period two, firing 16 shots at Kootenay goaltender Wyatt Hoflin. A re-directed shot from Rankin put the visitors ahead 3-1 just shy of the four-minute mark before Kenton Helgesen wrapped a puck around the net following a turnover 1:28 later.

Rankin completed his hat-trick at 12:56 with a snap shot from the left circle.

The ICE cut their deficit to 5-2 before the midpoint of period three when Tyler King blasted a slapshot through traffic and past Burke.

Calgary sealed their third win of the series with a pair of goals inside the final four minutes. Tambellini slotted home an empty-net marker before Helgesen added a seventh Hitmen goal 35 seconds laters after a turnover the Kootenay zone.

Burke made 28 saves to record the victory for Calgary, while Hoflin stopped 33 shots for the ICE.

UP NEXT: Game Five is set for Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Game time is 7:00 pm.

ICE Media Game Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 1-2 record (0-1 at home, 1-1 on the road, 0-2 in overtime) after two games of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 94-75 (50-32 at home, 44-43 on the road, 24-14 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (32), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (25) and LUKE PHILP (24) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 30 points (10-20-30)...DESCHENEAU is second with 25 points (12-13-25)...KOOTENAY is facing CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL: Game Five of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL will take place at CALGARY on Friday, April 3.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...ZAK ZBOROSKY and TANNER LISHCHYNSKY both recorded their first career playoff points (both assists) March 27 at CALGARY…JAEDON DESCHENEAU scored his fifth career playoff game-winning goal March 27 versus the HITMEN…Four of the five career playoff game-winning goals scored by DESCHENEAU have come against CALGARY...TIM BOZON matched a franchise record by recording six points in one playoff game March 31 versus the HITMEN (2-4-6)...BOZON shares the record with DESCHENEAU, who put up six points March 24, 2014 against CALGARY (1-5-6)...KOOTENAY set a new franchise record for most goals in a playoff game between both teams (15) March 31 versus the HITMEN...The previous record of 13 was first set March 29, 2003 at KAMLOOPS (ICE 6 at BLAZERS 7) before being matched March 24, 2014 against CALGARY (ICE 6 vs. HITMEN 7 OT).

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game Three of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 1-2, after Game Four were 2-2, and after Game Five were 3-2 against the CALGARY HITMEN.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

TONIGHT’S OFFICIALS: The Referees for tonight’s game are NATHAN WIELER and MIKE CAMPBELL...The Linesmen are JEREMI DEL CAMPO and TREVOR SHIVELY.

Calgary 8 Kootenay 7 OT Game 3

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/hitmen-claim-ot-win-in-wild-game-three

Adam Tambellini scored 1:12 into overtime to lift the Calgary Hitmen past the Kootenay ICE 8-7 in a wild Game Three Tuesday at Western Financial Place.

ICE forward Tim Bozon matched a franchise record for points in a playoff game with six points, while Rinat Valiev forced extra time with a goal four seconds from the end of the third period.

Kootenay opened the scoring 2:13 into the first period when Sam Reinhart rifled a shot over the shoulder of Calgary netminder Mack Shields from the left circle. His goal was cancelled out less than three minutes later by Chase Lang after the Hitmen winger pounced on a rebound in front of the ICE net, lifting a backhand shot over the pad of Kootenay goaltender Wyatt Hoflin.

Bozon and Calgary import Pavel Karnaukhov traded goals before the game was eleven minutes old before Tambellini rounded out a busy first period with a power-play marker at 17:18.

Lang added a second goal to give the Hitmen a 4-3 lead 7:44 into period two, banking a shot in off a leg from an acute angle to Hoflin's right.

The ICE narrowed the gap to 4-3 through Reinhart 1:14 later, but the visitors would reclaim a two-goal advantage with seven minutes left in the middle stanza when defenseman Travis Sanheim outwaited Hoflin after breezing into the Kootenay zone shortly after an ICE power-play.

Kootenay levelled the score at 5-5 before the end of period two on goals from Bozon and Valiev, then took the lead 2:12 into the third period when Matt Alfaro banked a shot off the pad of Calgary replacement netminder Brendan Burke from the goalline.

The see-saw affair continued thanks to two goals from the Hitmen courtesy Tambellini and forward Taylor Sanheim, the latter of which put the visitors ahead 7-6 with 6:41 to play.

The ICE again found an equalizer, forcing overtime on a one-timer from Valiev with four seconds left in regulation time. The Russian blueliner accepted a pass at the right circle from Luke Philp, slapping the puck past a screened Burke for his second goal of the game.

Tambellini, for the second consecutive game, ended the contest in overtime, slipping a shot from the right wing through traffic and past Hoflin 72 seconds into extra time, giving Calgary a 2-1 series lead.

Bozon led all scorers with six points (two goals, four assists), becoming the second ICE player to record six points in one game. Jaedon Descheneau accomplished the feat March 24, 2014 against the Hitmen.

Travis Sanheim led the Hitmen with a goal and four assists.

UP NEXT: Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final goes Wednesday, April 1st at Western Financial Place. Game time is 7:00 pm.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 1-1 record (0-0 at home, 1-1 on the road, 0-1 in overtime) after two games of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 94-74 (50-31 at home, 44-43 on the road, 24-13 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (31), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (24) and LUKE PHILP (23) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 27 points (8-19-27)...DESCHENEAU is second with 24 points (12-12-24)...KOOTENAY is facing CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL: Game Four of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL versus CALGARY will be played in CRANBROOK on Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 pm...Single-game tickets are on sale at the KOOTENAY ICE OFFICE or by phone at 250-417-0322...Game Five will take place at CALGARY on Friday, April 3.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...ZAK ZBOROSKY and TANNER LISHCHYNSKY both recorded their first career playoff points (both assists) March 27 at CALGARY…JAEDON DESCHENEAU scored his fifth career playoff game-winning goal March 27 versus the HITMEN…Four of the five career playoff game-winning goals scored by DESCHENEAU have come against CALGARY.

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game Two of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 1-1, after Game Three were 1-2, and after Game Four were 2-2 against the CALGARY HITMEN.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

TONIGHT’S OFFICIALS: The Referees for tonight’s game are FRASER LAWRENCE and DEREK ZALASKI...The Linesmen are MIKE ROBERTS and SCOTT SHARUN.

Monday, March 30, 2015

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week's action with a 1-1 record (0-0 at home, 1-1 on the road, 0-1 in overtime) after two games of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN...KOOTENAY finished the 2014-15 regular season with a 37-31-1-3 record (21-13-1-1 at home, 16-18-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts) and in fourth place in the CENTRAL DIVISION and seventh place in the new playoff wildcard standings...The ICE clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...KOOTENAY completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY has a career playoff record of 94-74 (50-31 at home, 44-43 on the road, 24-13 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (31), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (24) and LUKE PHILP (23) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 27 points (8-19-27)...DESCHENEAU is second with 24 points (12-12-24)...KOOTENAY is facing CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL: Games Three (March 31 at 7:00 pm) and Four (April 1 at 7:00 pm) of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL versus CALGARY will be played in...Single game tickets are on sale at the KOOTENAY ICE OFFICE or by phone at 250-417-0322...Game Five will be played on the road April 3 at 7:00 pm.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...ZAK ZBOROSKY and TANNER LISHCHYNSKY both recorded their first career playoff points (both assists) March 27 at CALGARY…JAEDON DESCHENEAU scored his fifth career playoff game-winning goal March 27 versus the HITMEN…Four of the five career playoff game-winning goals scored by DESCHENEAU have come against CALGARY.

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game Two of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 1-1, after Game Three were 1-2 and after Game Four were 2-2 versus the CALGARY HITMEN.

UPCOMING WEEK:
Tuesday, March 31 ICE vs. Calgary 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Wednesday, April 1 ICE vs. Calgary 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Thursday, April 2 to be determined
Friday, April 3 ICE at Calgary 7:00 pm (SHAW TV, 102.9 FM – The Drive)
Saturday, April 4 ICE vs. Calgary** 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
** - if necessary


WEEK IN REVIEW:
Friday, March 27 – Kootenay 4 at Calgary 3 – Record 1-0 – Attendance: 8,256
Goals:
1 - Philp (1) from Descheneau and Cable
2 - King (1) from Philp and Zborosky (PP)
3 - Philp (2) from Alfaro and Vetterl
4 - Descheneau (1) from Vetterl and Lishchynsky (SH)
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (29 Saves, 3 GA)

Sunday, March 29 – Kootenay 2 at Calgary 3 (OT) – Record 1-1 – Attendance: 8,560
Goals:
1 - Reinhart (1) from Valiev and Martin (PP)
2 - Descheneau (2) from Martin and Lishchynsky
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (30 Saves, 3 GA)

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Calgary 3 Kootenay 2 OT Game 2

From Chris Wahl ...
Adam Tambellini's goal 16:36 into overtime completed a 3-2 comeback victory for the Calgary Hitmen over the Kootenay ICE Sunday at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The best of seven Eastern Conference Quarter-Final series is now tied at a game apiece with Games Three and Four set for Cranbrook Tuesday and Wednesday.

The game remained scoreless until the nine-minute mark of the second period, when on a Calgary power-play Hitmen forward Pavel Karnaukhov capitalized on a rebound in front of ICE netminder Wyatt Hoflin.

Kootenay would take the lead before the intermission on a pair of late goals, however. Captain Sam Reinhart re-directed a Rinat Valiev point shot home for his first goal of the playoffs at 17:51 before Jaedon Descheneau gave the ICE a 2-1 advantage with 24 seconds remaining in the frame with a sharp snap shot.

The Hitmen equalized on another power-play opportunity with 9:29 left in regulation time with Karnaukhov tallying his second goal of the game to force overtime.

Both sides enjoyed chances in overtime, as Kootenay fired 11 shots at Calgary goaltender Mack Shields. Tambellini scored the decisive goal on the Hitmen's sixth shot of extra time, snapping a puck past Hoflin from the faceoff circle.

Hoflin made 30 saves Sunday, including 12 in the third period as Calgary pressed for a regulation-time winner.

Shields, who came on in relief of Brendan Burke at the start of the third period, stopped all 19 shots he faced. Burke made 18 saves before being replaced.

The Hitmen went 2-2 on the power-play, while the ICE were 1-2.

Jon Martin had two assists for Kootenay.

UP NEXT: the series shifts to Western Financial Place for Games Three and Four Tuesday and Wednesday. Both games start at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at the Kootenay ICE office inside Western Financial Place or via phone at (250) 417-0322.

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 1-0 record (0-0 at home, 1-0 on the road, 0-0 in overtime) after one game of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL against the CALGARY HITMEN...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year...KOOTENAY is facing the CALGARY HITMEN in the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 94-73 (50-31 at home, 44-42 on the road, 24-12 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (30), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (23) and LUKE PHILP (22) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 26 points (7-19-26)...DESCHENEAU is second with 23 points (11-12-23)...KOOTENAY is facing CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL: Games Three and Four of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL versus CALGARY will be played in CRANBROOK on Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1...Both home games will start at 7:00 pm...Single-game tickets are now on sale at the KOOTENAY ICE OFFICE or by phone at 250-417-0322.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...ZAK ZBOROSKY and TANNER LISHCHYNSKY both recorded their first career playoff points (both assists) March 27 at CALGARY…JAEDON DESCHENEAU scored his fifth career playoff game-winning goal March 27 versus the HITMEN…Four of the five career playoff game-winning goals scored by DESCHENEAU have come against CALGARY.

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game One of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 1-0, and after Game Two were 1-1 against the CALGARY HITMEN.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

Friday, March 27, 2015

Kootenay 4 Calgary 3 Game 1

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/ice-defeat-hitmen-in-playoff-opener
Luke Philp scored twice, and Jaedon Descheneau's short-handed marker midway through the third period proved decisive as the Kootenay ICE defeated the Calgary Hitmen 4-3 Friday at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Philp led all scorers with three points as the ICE claimed a 1-0 series lead in their Eastern Conference Quarter-Final.

Kootenay opened the scoring 7:14 into the game when, after a turnover in the neutral zone, Philp put home Descheneau's rebound in front of Calgary netminder Brendan Burke.

Defenseman Tyler King extended the ICE lead seven minutes later with a hard point shot on a Kootenay power-play.

The Hitmen found the scoreboard before the first period expired on a man-advantage of their own through rookie blueliner Jake Bean. Calgary then tied the game 2-2 at the 4:23 mark of period two when Kenton Helgesen finished a rush by linemate Radel Fazleev, back-handing a shot past ICE goaltender Wyatt Hoflin.

Philp restored the Kootenay lead late in period two, converting on a one-timer after being set up from behind the Hitmen goal by Matt Alfaro.

Calgary outshot the ICE 11-5 in the third period, but Kootenay extended its lead to 4-2 at 9:57 on a short-handed odd-man rush. Forward Austin Vetterl fed Descheneau, who one-timed his first goal of the playoffs past Burke.

Connor Rankin cut the ICE lead to 4-3 with 6:53 to play, but Hoflin turned aside every shot he faced thereafter to preserve the Kootenay victory.

Hoflin made 29 saves Friday, while Burke stopped 27 shots.

Kootenay went 1-3 on the power-play, while Calgary was 1-4.

Descheneau's goal was his fifth career playoff game-winning goal, and fourth against the Hitmen.

Vetterl chipped in with two assists for the ICE.

UP NEXT: the ICE and Hitmen play Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Sunday in Calgary. Game time is 4:00 pm. Games Three and Four will take place at Western Financial Place Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1.

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE finished the 2014-15 regular season with a 37-31-1-3 record (21-13-1-1 at home, 16-18-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts) and in fourth place in the CENTRAL DIVISION and seventh place in the new playoff wildcard standings...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year...KOOTENAY will face the CALGARY HITMEN in the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY holds a career playoff record of 93-73 (50-31 at home, 43-42 on the road, 24-12 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (29), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (22) and LUKE PHILP (21) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 26 points (7-19-26)...DESCHENEAU is second with 21 points (10-11-21)...KOOTENAY will face CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL: Game Two (March 29 at 4:00 pm) of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL versus CALGARY will be played on the road...Games Three and Four will played in CRANBROOK on Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1...Both home games will start at 7:00 pm...Single-game tickets are now on sale at the KOOTENAY ICE OFFICE or by phone at 250-417-0322.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...WYATT HOFLIN was named the VAUGHN HOCKEY WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH for March on March 23...HOFLIN, who set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender in one season with 67, led all WHL netminders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...RINAT VALIEV and SAM REINHART were both named to the WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM March 25...REINHART appeared in his 250th career regular season game March 22 at CALGARY...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL regular season scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...TYLER KING made his 100th regular season appearance in a KOOTENAY uniform March 22 against the HITMEN.

ONE YEAR AGO: After Game One of the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL the ICE were 1-0 against the CALGARY HITMEN.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Robison Addresses Kootenay Ice Attendance Issues

http://thedrivefm.ca/robison-addresses-kootenay-ice-attendance-issues/
WHL Commissioner, Ron Robison was recently quoted in a Saskatoon newspaper as saying, “We’re monitoring the Kootenay situation very closely.”

The Ice and The Drive have a new three year broadcast agreement in place however; Kootenay’s attendance is second worst in the league to only Swift Current.

Robison says the average attendance at Kootenay Ice games is a little better than 2,200 a game and that’s very concerning.

“We monitor all of our franchises, particularly those who aren’t meeting expectations as far as attendance and revenues are concerned,” says Robison. “One of the franchises we’re very concerned about is the Kootenay Ice, this has been a trend for several seasons now and attendance is at levels that not only concern us but, concern ownership.”

Robison continues, “When we’re looking at the Kootenay Ice, we’re in an area where, quite frankly, it’s going to require more support locally in order for that franchise to remain. The numbers we’re currently seeing, 2,200 average attendance is not close to what we need to make that franchise work in the future.”

However, contrary to some rumours swirling around the Western Hockey League, Robison says the league isn’t looking to relocate the Ice franchise but, attendance needs to improve in the short term.

“We need to assess it as to whether it’s going to be viable beyond next season, that’s not to say we want to move the franchise or feel at this point that that’s part of the plan,” says Robison. “That’s not the case at all, we want to see this franchise improve, its had a great history of success in the Kootenay market and we want that to continue but, in order for that to happen we need the attendance to improve significantly.”

On a positive note, Kootenay has made the playoffs for 17 consecutive years, have two Eastern Conference second team all-stars in Sam Reinhart and Rinat Valiev and face their number one rival, the Calgary Hitmen in the first round of the WHL playoffs, starting on March 27.

Kootenay has won three Western Hockey League titles (2011, 2002, 2000) and a Memorial Cup championship in 2002.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Reinhart and Valiev East 2nd Team All-Stars

WHL Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Nolan Patrick (Winnipeg, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane, WA), Spokane Chiefs

WHL Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy
Eastern Conference – Tristan Jarry (Delta, BC), Edmonton Oil Kings
Western Conference – Taran Kozun (Nipawin, SK), Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL Defenceman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Ivan Provorov (Yaroslavl, Russia), Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Shea Theodore (Aldergrove, BC), Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy
Eastern Conference – Peter Quenneville (Edmonton, AB), Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Rourke Chartier (Saskatoon, SK), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Nick McBride (Maple Ridge, BC), Prince Albert Raiders
Western Conference – Joe Gatenby (Kelowna, BC), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Coach of the Year, Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – John Paddock, Regina Pats
Western Conference – Dan Lambert, Kelowna Rockets

WHL Executive of the Year, Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Kelly McCrimmon, Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets

WHL Regular Season Champions, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy
Brandon Wheat Kings: 72 GP - 53 W – 11 L – 4 OTL – 4 SL – 114 PTS

WHL Top Scorer (Bob Clarke Trophy) / Plus-Minus Award
Oliver Bjorkstrand (Herning, Denmark), Portland Winterhawks
59 GP – 63 G – 55 A – 118 PTS - +60 – 35 PIM

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Tristan Jarry (Delta, BC), Edmonton Oil Kings
Defenceman – Ivan Provorov (Yaroslavl, Russia), Brandon Wheat Kings
Defenceman – Travis Sanheim (Elkhorn, MB), Calgary Hitmen
Forward – Trevor Cox (Surrey, BC), Medicine Hat Tigers
Forward – Tim McGauley (Wilcox, SK), Brandon Wheat Kings
Forward – Brayden Point (Calgary, AB), Moose Jaw Warriors

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Jordan Papirny (Edmonton, AB), Brandon Wheat Kings
Defenceman – Rinat Valiev (Nizhnekamsk, Russia), Kootenay ICE
Defenceman – Colby Williams (Regina, SK), Regina Pats
Forward – Cole Sanford (Vernon, BC), Medicine Hat Tigers
Forward – Sam Reinhart (Vancouver, BC), Kootenay ICE
Forward – Adam Tambellini (Edmonton, AB), Calgary Hitmen

WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Taran Kozun (Nipawin, SK), Seattle Thunderbirds
Defenceman – Shea Theodore (Aldergrove, BC), Seattle Thunderbirds
Defenceman – Madison Bowey (Winnipeg, MB), Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Oliver Bjorkstrand (Herning, Denmark), Portland Winterhawks
Forward – Cole Ully (Calgary, AB), Kamloops Blazers
Forward – Rourke Chartier (Saskatoon, SK), Kelowna Rockets

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Eric Comrie (Edmonton, AB), Tri-City Americans
Defenceman – Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, BC), Victoria Royals
Defenceman – Josh Morrissey (Calgary, AB), Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Nic Petan (Delta, BC), Portland Winterhawks
Forward – Nick Merkley (Calgary, AB), Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Adam Helewka (Burnaby, BC), Spokane Chiefs

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

ICE On The Drive

Cranbrook, BC -- The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club and The Drive 102.9 FM announced today they have agreed upon a new three-year broadcasting agreement. The new agreement will cover the 2015-16 through 2017-18 WHL seasons.

The agreement will continue with the same format as the past 15 years with all 72 regular season and playoff games being broadcast live. Jeff Hollick will remain as the Play-By-Play Broadcaster of the ICE, a position he has held since the 1999-2000 season. 

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with 102.9 The Drive. Over the past 15 years, the live radio broadcasts on The Drive have enabled our fans to stay connected with the team at home and on the road. We look forward to building on this long-standing relationship with our local radio partner," said ICE General Manager Jeff Chynoweth.

“102.9 The Drive and B-104 are thrilled with the announcement of a continued partnership with the Kootenay ICE. We continue to see the ICE as a cornerstone of the community and are proud to partner with them on and off the ice," said Jason Caven, General Sales Manager of CHDR-FM The Drive.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Hoflin Goalie Of The Month

CALGARY, AB – The Western Hockey League announced today that Wyatt Hoflin of the Kootenay ICE has been named the VAUGHN WHL Goaltender of the Month for March 2015.

A 20-year-old from Spruce Grove, AB, Hoflin posted a record of 4-3-0-1 over eight appearances in March. He recorded a league-best 1.74 goals against average and a .939 save percentage over the span. In six of the games he started, Hoflin held the opposition to two goals or fewer.

Hoflin’s play helped lift the ICE into the first Wild Card position in the 2015 WHL Playoffs. The 6’1”, 178 lb netminder earned two first star honours, one second star selection as well as an additional third star selection in March.

Hoflin is in his third WHL campaign with the Kootenay ICE and has posted a 47-44-1-4 record with three shutouts in 110 career regular season contests.

These accomplishments make Wyatt Hoflin a deserving choice as the VAUGHN WHL Goaltender of the Month for March.

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE finished the 2014-15 regular season with a 37-31-1-3 record (21-13-1-1 at home, 16-18-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts) and in fourth place in the CENTRAL DIVISION and seventh place in the new playoff wildcard standings...KOOTENAY clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE completed the regular season with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight year...KOOTENAY will face the CALGARY HITMEN in the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL beginning March 27.

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE: KOOTENAY has a career playoff record of 91-73 (48-31 at home, 43-42 on the road, 24-12 in overtime)...The ICE have played in 31 playoff series in franchise history and hold an 18-13 career record...SAM REINHART (29), JAEDON DESCHENEAU (22) and LUKE PHILP (21) lead KOOTENAY in career playoff games played...REINHART leads the ICE in career playoff scoring with 26 points (7-19-26)...DESCHENEAU is second with 21 points (10-11-21)...KOOTENAY will face CALGARY in the post-season for the fifth time in franchise history (2-2 career playoff series record)...The last playoff meeting between the ICE and HITMEN was the 2014 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL won by KOOTENAY in six games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL: Games One (March 27 at 7:00 pm) and Two (March 29 at 4:00 pm) of the EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL versus CALGARY will be played on the road...Games Three and Four will played in CRANBROOK on Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1...Both home games will start at 7:00 pm...Single-game tickets are now on sale at the KOOTENAY ICE OFFICE or by phone at 250-417-0322.

DID YOU KNOW: KOOTENAY posted a 3-4-0-0 record versus CALGARY during the 2014-15 regular season (2-2-0-0 at home, 1-2-0-0 on the road, 1-0 in overtime)...LUKE PHILP led the ICE in scoring versus the HITMEN during the regular season with 11 points (6-5-11)...LEVI CABLE (6-2-8) and TIM BOZON (2-6-8) were second with eight points...Goaltender WYATT HOFLIN set a franchise record for games played by a goaltender with 67...The previous record of 65 games played was set by MACKENZIE SKAPSKI during the 2012-13 season...HOFLIN led all WHL goaltenders in minutes played during the regular season with 3,848, finishing second in the League in wins (36) and saves (1,837)...LUKE PHILP finished 15th in WHL scoring with a career-high 82 points (30-52-82)...ZAK ZBOROSKY put up a career high three points March 18 at LETHBRIDGE (2-1-3)...SAM REINHART appeared in his 250th career game March 22 against the HITMEN...TYLER KING made his 100th appearance in a KOOTENAY uniform March 22 at CALGARY.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 72 games of the 2013-14 season the ICE were 39-28-2-3.

UPCOMING WEEK:
Tuesday, March 24 Practice 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Western Financial Place
Wednesday, March 25 Practice 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Western Financial Place
Thursday, March 26 Practice 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Western Financial Place
Friday, March 27 ICE at Calgary 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Sunday, March 29 ICE at Calgary 4:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)

WEEK IN REVIEW:
Wednesday, March 18 – Kootenay 6 at Lethbridge 3 – Record 37-29-1-3 – Attendance: 3,085
Goals:
1 - Zborosky (17) from Descheneau and Alfaro
2 - Descheneau (33) from Reinhart and Philp (PP)
3 - Chynoweth (5) from Zborosky and Reinhart
4 - Zborosky (18) from King and Hoflin
5 - Descheneau (34) from Martin and Hackman
6 - Bozon (34) from Reinhart and King
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (18 Saves, 3 GA)

Friday, March 20 – Kootenay 1 vs. Calgary 2 – Record 37-30-1-3 – Attendance: 2,598
Goals:
1 - Bozon (35) from Reinhart and Philp
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (29 Saves, 2 GA)

Sunday, March 22 – Kootenay 2 at Calgary 3 – Record 37-31-1-3 – Attendance: 14,139
Goals:
1 - Cable (28) from Bozon and Reinhart
2 - Reinhart (19) unassisted
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (25 Saves, 3 GA)

Playoff Match-ups

Calgary vs Kootenay
History – 2014 1st round Kootenay 4-2, 2007 1st round Calgary 4-3, 2000 East Final Kootenay 4-1, 99 1st round Calgary 4-3.
Season – Calgary 4-2-1-0, Kootenay 3-4-0-0.
October 4 in Calgary – Hitmen 6-4
October 24 in Kootenay – Hitmen 9-2
November 14 in Kootenay – ICE 7-6 OT
December 27 in Kootenay – ICE 6-2
December 28 in Calgary – ICE 4-3
Mar 20 in Kootenay – Hitmen 2-1
Mar 22 in Calgary – Hitmen 3-2

Medicine Hat vs Red Deer
History – 2011 2nd round Medicine Hat 4-1, 2007 1st round Medicine Hat 4-3, 2005 Medicine Hat 4-3, 2004 East Final Medicine Hat 4-2, 2003 2nd round Red Deer 4-3.
Season – Medicine Hat 4-2-0-0, Red Deer 2-3-1-0.
October 10 in Red Deer – Tigers 5-1
October 28 in Red Deer – Rebels 4-2
November 18 In Medicine Hat – Tigers 4-2
November 21 in Red Deer – Rebels 4-2
November 28 in Medicine Hat – Tigers 4-3 OT
March 3 in Medicine Hat – Tihers 4-0

Brandon vs Edmonton
History – 2014 2nd round Edmonton 4-1, 2012 2nd round Edmonton 4-0.
Season – Brandon 3-1-0-0, Edmonton 1-2-1-0.
October 13 in Edmonton – Oil Kings 5-2
November 21 in Brandon – Wheat Kings 7-4
November 22 in Brandon – Wheat Kings 5-4 OT
January 13 in Edmonton – Wheat Kings 2-1

Regina vs Swift Current
History - 20081st round Swift Current 4-2, 2007 1st round Regina 4-2, 1993 East Final Swift Current 4-0, 1990 1st round Regina 3-1, 1988 1st round Swift Current 3-1, 1974 East Final Regina 4-2.
Season – Regina 3-5-0-0, Swift Current 5-2-0-1
October 24 in Swift Current – Broncos 3-1
October 25 in Regina – Broncos 2-1
November 1 in Regina – Pats 2-1 SO
December 10 in Swift Current – Broncos 6-4
December 27 in Swift Current – Broncos 5-3
December 28 in Regina – Pats 6-1
February 13 in Regina – Broncos 5-0
March 11 in Swift Current – Pats 4-1

Kelowna vs Tri City
History – 2014 1st round Kelowna 4-1, 2010 2nd round Tri City 4-1, 2009 2nd round Kelowna 4-2, 2004 2nd round Kelowna 4-2, 1996 1st round Tri City 4-2.
Season – Kelowna 3-1-0-0, Tri City 1-3-0-0.
October 18 in Tri City – Americans 5-2
October 22 in Kelowna – Rockets 4-0
November 26 in Tri City – Rockets 4-1
January 14 in Kelowna – Rockets 7-1

Victoria vs Prince George
History - 1st meeting.
Season – Victoria 5-3-0-0, Prince George 3-3-1-1.
November 7 in Prince George – Cougars 3-2
November 8 in Prince George – Royals 6-2
December 27 in Victoria – Cougars 4-3
December 28 in Victoria – Royals 4-0
January 9 in Victoria – Royals 3-2 OT
January 10 in Victoria – Royals 3-2
March 6 in Prince George – Cougars 4-3
Mar 7 in Prince George – Royals 4-3 SO

Everett vs Spokane
History – 2008 1st round Spokane 4-0, 2007 1st round Everett 4-0, 2004 1st round Everett 4-0.
Season – Everett 4-3-0-0, Spokane 3-3-1-0.
October 18 in Spokane – Silvertips 3-2 OT
October 22 in Everett – Chiefs 5-4
November 8 in Everett – Chiefs 6-4
December 3 in Everett – Silvertips 4-2
January 16 in Everett – Silvertips 6-3
February 3 in Spokane – Silvertips 3-2
February 25 in Spokane – Chiefs 3-1
March 22 in Spokane -

Portland vs Seattle
History – 2006 1st round Portland 4-3, 2002 1st round Seattle 4-3, 1998 1st round Portland 4-1, 1995 round robin.
Season – Portland 5-5-0-2, Seattle – 7-4-1-0.
September 19 in Portland – Thunderbirds 4-1
October 3 in Portland – Thunderbirds 4-3 SO
October 11 in Portland – Thunderbirds 3-2 SO
December 13 in Seattle – Winterhawks 2-1
December 27 in Seattle – Thunderbirds 4-3
December 31 in Portland – Thunderbirds 2-1
January 4 in Portland – Winterhawks 4-0
January 24 in Seattle – Winterhawks 4-3 OT
February 6 in Seattle – Thunderbirds 6-3
February 28 in Seattle – Winterhawks 5-2
March 6 in Portland – Winterhawks 7-1
Mar 21 in Seattle – Thunderbirds 6-3

Monthly Records

Kootenay – 8 4-3-0-1 9
Calgary - 9 6-3-0-0 12
Edmonton - 10 6-3-0-1 13
Lethbridge - 10 1-9-0-0 2
Medicine Hat - 9 6-2-1-0 13
Red Deer - 10 6-3-1-0 13

Brandon - 9 7-1-0-1 15
Moose Jaw - 10 6-4-0-0 12
Prince Albert - 11 7-3-0-1 15
Regina - 10 4-4-0-2 10
Saskatoon - 10 1-9-0-0 2
Swift Current - 10 4-6-0-0 8

Kamloops - 9 4-4-1-0 9
Kelowna - 9 5-2-2-0 12
Prince George - 9 5-3-1-0 11
Vancouver - 10 1-8-1-0 3
Victoria - 10 6-4-0-0 12

Everett - 9 6-1-0-2 14
Portland - 10 6-3-0-1 13
Seattle - 10 7-2-0-1 15
Spokane - 11 4-7-0-0 8
Tri City - 9 4-5-0-0 8

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Playoff Schedule Kootenay vs Calgary

Fri Mar 27 Kootenay @ Calgary 7pm
Sun Mar 29 Kootenay @ Calgary 4pm
Tue Mar 31 Calgary @ Kootenay 7pm
Wed Apr 1 Calgary @ Kootenay 7pm
Fri Apr 3 Kootenay @ Calgary 7pm
Sat April 4 Calgary @ Kootenay 7pm
Mon Apr 6 Kootenay @ Calgary 7pm

Calgary 3 Kootenay 2

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/hitmen-clip-ice-sunday
Travis Sanheim's tie-breaking goal 4:17 from the end of the third period helped the Calgary Hitmen past the Kootenay ICE 3-2 Sunday in Calgary.

The ICE, buoyed by a two-point effort from captain Sam Reinhart Sunday, will now face the Hitmen in the Eastern Conference quarter-final for the second consecutive season.

Kootenay opened the scoring early in the second period after winger Levi Cable found a rebound in front of the Calgary net and deposited his 28th goal of the season.

The Hitmen tied the game on a rebound of their own at 12:41 of the middle frame courtesy of Kenton Helgesen, as Calgary capitalized on the fourth of four consecutive man-advantage opportunities.

Hitmen forward Jordy Stallard, who scored the winner in a 2-1 Calgary win in Cranbrook Friday, gave the hosts the lead 1:43 into the third period Sunday off an odd-man rush. His goal was cancelled out minutes later by Reinhart, before Sanheim gave the Hitmen the lead for good at 15:43 of the final frame.

Calgary goaltender Brendan Burke made 23 saves for the victory, while ICE netminder Wyatt Hoflin stopped 25 shots.

UP NEXT: the ICE and Hitmen will meet in the first round of the WHL playoffs, which are set to begin Friday, March 27 at Scotiabank Saddledome.

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 37-30-1-3 record (21-13-1-1 at home, 16-17-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts)... KOOTENAY has clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE will also finish with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight season.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

DID YOU KNOW: Forward JAEDON DESCHENEAU leads the ICE in road scoring with 39 points (16-23-39)...Forward LUKE PHILP is second with 37 points (16-21-37)...KOOTENAY holds a 65-61-13-4 lifetime record versus CALGARY (41-29-4-1 at home, 24-32-9-3 on the road, 5-9-8 in overtime)...The ICE hold a 3-3-0-0 record in the season series versus the HITMEN...Goaltender WYATT HOFLIN broke an 18 year-old franchise record with his 1,725th save of the season March 13 versus MEDICINE HAT...The previous record of 1,724 saves was set by TIM WINTERS during the inaugural 1996-97 campaign in EDMONTON...HOFLIN, who also recorded a franchise record 35th victory this season March 14 at RED DEER (33 saves), surpassed MACKENZIE SKAPSKI (2012-13) for the franchise record in games played in one season (66) March 20 versus CALGARY...Forward ZAK ZBOROSKY put up a career high three points March 18 at LETHBRIDGE (2-1-3)...LUKE PHILP recorded his 200th career point (goal) March 10 versus the HURRICANES...PHILP is the 14th player in franchise history to amass 200 points with the club...JAEDON DESCHENEAU reached the 30-goal mark for the third consecutive season March 10 against LETHBRIDGE...DESCHENEAU is the fourth player in franchise history to put up three consecutive 30-goal campaigns (JARRET STOLL from 1999-2000 - 2001-02, NIGEL DAWES from 2002-03 - 2004-05, RYAN RUSSELL from 2004-05 - 2006-07)...Forward AUSTIN VETTERL made his 200th career appearance in an ICE uniform March 14 against the REBELS...Forward SAM REINHART is two assists short of 200 career helpers...REINHART is also one appearance shy of 250 career games played...Defenseman TYLER KING is one game away from 100 appearances in a KOOTENAY uniform.

STREAK: TIM BOZON has scored in each of his last three games (3-0-3).

INJURY: Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the ICE lineup three to five months with an upper body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 71 games of the 2013-14 season the ICE were 39-27-2-3 and after 72 games 39-28-2-3.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Calgary 2 Kootenay 1

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/hitmen-edge-ice-friday
Second period goals from Loch Morrison and Jordy Stallard helped the Calgary Hitmen edge the Kootenay ICE 2-1 Friday at Western Financial Place.

Tim Bozon scored the lone Kootenay goal as the Hitmen drew first blood in the first of two weekend meetings between the two clubs.

The ICE, who prior to the game held their annual awards ceremony, enjoyed a strong first period. Kootenay outshot Calgary 13-5 in the opening frame but could not solve Hitmen netminder Brendan Burke.

Calgary opened the scoring 9:19 into the second period when, after a commotion in front of ICE goaltender Wyatt Hoflin, a point shot from Morrison found the back of the net.

Stallard scored his goal with 5:03 remaining in the middle frame as the Hitmen outshot Kootenay 19-4 in the period.

The ICE earned four of the game's five power-play opportunities, capitalizing on a two-man advantage at 14:36 of the third period when Bozon tapped home a hard cross-ice pass from linemate Sam Reinhart for his team-leading 35th goal of the season.

Burke, though, stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced in period three as Calgary snapped Kootenay's three-game winning streak in the season series.

Hoflin made 28 saves for the ICE in goal, and broke a team record Friday for most games played by a goaltender in a season (66). The previous mark was set by Mackenzie Skapski during the 2012-13 season.

UP NEXT: the two sides will meet again to wind down the regular season Sunday afternoon in Calgary. Game time is 2:00 pm.

Friday, March 20, 2015

ICE Year-End Awards

Cranbrook, BC – The Kootenay ICE handed out their 17th annual team awards prior to the start of the game against the Calgary Hitmen this evening. Nine different players were recognized for their achievements. The individual winners are listed below:

Rod Hunter Ltd. Players Award Luke Philp

Apollo Ristorante Most Valuable Player Luke Philp

Ron's Collision / Dixon's Service Centre Top Defenseman Rinat Valiev

Alpine Toyota Rookie of the Year Cale Fleury

Skyway Distributors Most Improved Player Matt Alfaro

BDO Canada LLP Most Underrated Player Wyatt Hoflin

EKC Community Relations Award Zak Zborosky

Rocky Mountain Diesel Scholastic Player of the Year Cale Fleury

Fan Club Player of the Year Luke Philp

Haddad Financial Services 3 Stars Wyatt Hoflin
Tim Bozon
Luke Philp

Steeples Construction Player of the Month for March Austin Vetterl

EKC Community Player of the Month for March Keelan Williams

The Boston Pizza Top Playoff Performer will be announced at the conclusion of the
2015 WHL Playoffs.

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 37-29-1-3 record (21-12-1-1 at home, 16-17-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts)... KOOTENAY has clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE will also finish with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight season...Following tonight's contest KOOTENAY will conclude the regular season at CALGARY March 22.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

DID YOU KNOW: Forward LUKE PHILP leads the ICE in home scoring with 44 points (14-30-44)...Forward JAEDON DESCHENEAU is second with 42 points (18-24-42)...KOOTENAY holds a 65-60-13-4 lifetime record versus CALGARY (41-28-4-1 at home, 24-32-9-3 on the road, 5-9-8 in overtime)...Tonight marks the sixth of seven meetings between the ICE and HITMEN with KOOTENAY holding a 3-2-0-0 record in the season series...Goaltender WYATT HOFLIN broke an 18 year-old ICE franchise record with his 1,725th save of the season March 13 versus MEDICINE HAT...The previous record of 1,724 saves was set by TIM WINTERS during the inaugural 1996-97 campaign in EDMONTON...HOFLIN, who also recorded a franchise record 35th victory this season March 14 at RED DEER (33 saves), is tied with MACKENZIE SKAPSKI (2012-13) for the franchise record in games played in one season (65)...Forward ZAK ZBOROSKY put up a career high three points March 18 at LETHBRIDGE (2-1-3)...LUKE PHILP recorded his 200th career point (goal) March 10 versus the HURRICANES...PHILP is the 14th player in franchise history to amass 200 points with the club...JAEDON DESCHENEAU reached the 30-goal mark for the third consecutive season March 10 against LETHBRIDGE...DESCHENEAU is the fourth player in franchise history to put up three consecutive 30-goal campaigns (JARRET STOLL from 1999-2000 - 2001-02, NIGEL DAWES from 2002-03 - 2004-05, RYAN RUSSELL from 2004-05 - 2006-07)...Forward AUSTIN VETTERL made his 200th career appearance in an ICE uniform March 14 against the REBELS...Forward SAM REINHART is three assists short of 200 career helpers...REINHART is also two appearances shy of 250 career games played...Defenseman TYLER KING is two games away from 100 appearances in a KOOTENAY uniform.

STREAK: TYLER KING (0-6-6) and MATT ALFARO (3-1-4) have recorded points in each of their last three games.

INJURY: Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the ICE lineup three to five months with an upper body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 70 games of the 2013-14 season the ICE were 39-27-2-2, after 71 games 39-27-2-3 and after 72 games 39-28-2-3.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

TONIGHT’S OFFICIALS: The Referees for tonight’s game are CHRIS CRICH and CHRIS SCHLENKER...The Linesmen are MIKE ROBERTS and SCOTT SHARUN.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Kootenay 6 Lethbridge 3

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/ice-confirm-divisional-playoff-matchup
Two-goal efforts from Zak Zborosky and Jaedon Descheneau helped the Kootenay ICE to a 6-3 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes at Enmax Centre Wednesday.

The ICE clinched the first wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference with the win, and will face either Calgary or Medicine Hat in the Eastern Conference quarter-final following their final two regular-season games.

After Lethbridge took an early 1-0 lead on captain Jamal Watson's 25th goal of the season, Kootenay levelled the score thanks to Zborosky. The ICE outshot the Hurricanes 12-4 in the first period.

The middle frame was more pronounced in Kootenay's favour. Descheneau tucked home a power-play goal 7:37 into period two before Ryan Chynoweth rifled a snapshot past Lethbridge netminder Jayden Sittler 1:20 later.

Zborosky and Descheneau added markers later in the period to give the ICE a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes.

The Hurricanes pushed back in the first half of the third period, cutting the lead to 5-3 in the first six-and-a-half minutes on goals from Russian import Pavel Skumatov and defenseman Brady Reagan.

Kootenay found insurance with 8:14 to play, however, when Tim Bozon snapped a hard shot past Sittler from the left wing. The goal helped Bozon keep pace with Descheneau for the team goal-scoring lead; the pair are tied with 34 tallies apiece.

ICE goaltender Wyatt Hoflin tied a franchise record Wednesday with his 65th game played this season. The Spruce Grove, Alberta product made 18 saves as Kootenay won for the sixth time in seven tries against Lethbridge this season.

Sittler stopped 21 shots for the Hurricanes.

UP NEXT: the ICE will wrap up the 2014-15 regular season with a home and home series versus the Calgary Hitmen beginning Friday at Western Financial Place. The team will hold its annual awards ceremony on-ice at 7:00 with the game to follow.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Remaining Schedules

After March 18th

Kootenay 2
Home 1 – Calgary
Road 1 – Calgary

Calgary 2
Home 1 – Kootenay
Road 1 – Kootenay

Edmonton 2
Home 1 – Red Deer
Road 1 – Red Deer

Medicine Hat 2
Home 1 – Saskatoon
Road 1 – Saskatoon

Red Deer 2
Home 1 – Edmonton
Road 1 – Edmonton

ICE Media Notes

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter tonight's action with a 36-29-1-3 record (21-12-1-1 at home, 15-17-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts)... KOOTENAY has clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE will also finish with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight season...Following tonight's contest KOOTENAY will conclude the regular season with a home and home series versus CALGARY beginning March 20 in CRANBROOK.

ROSTER BREAKDOWN: KOOTENAY is currently carrying 24 players (two goaltenders, nine defensemen and 13 forwards)...The ICE roster is made up of three 1994-born players, 11 1995-born players, three 1996-born players, five 1997-born players, and two 1998-born players...KOOTENAY has seven first-year players on its roster.

DID YOU KNOW: Forwards LUKE PHILP (16-20-36) and JAEDON DESCHENEAU (14-22-36) lead the ICE in road scoring with 36 points...KOOTENAY holds a 72-42-13-4 lifetime record versus LETHBRIDGE (43-16-6-2 at home, 29-26-7-2 on the road, 8-12-6 in overtime)...Tonight marks the seventh and final meeting between the ICE and HURRICANES with KOOTENAY holding a 5-1-0-0 record in the season series...Goaltender WYATT HOFLIN broke an 18 year-old ICE franchise record with his 1,725th save of the season March 13 versus MEDICINE HAT...The previous record of 1,724 saves was set by TIM WINTERS during the inaugural 1996-97 campaign in EDMONTON...HOFLIN also recorded a franchise record 35th victory this season March 14 at RED DEER (33 saves)...The previous record of 34 wins had been shared by DAN BLACKBURN (1999-2000), JEFF GLASS (2004-05) and MACKENZIE SKAPSKI (2012-13)...LUKE PHILP recorded his 200th career point (goal) March 10 versus LETHBRIDGE...PHILP is the 14th player in franchise history to amass 200 points with the club...JAEDON DESCHENEAU reached the 30-goal mark for the third consecutive season March 10 against the HURRICANES...DESCHENEAU is the fourth player in franchise history to put up three consecutive 30-goal campaigns (JARRET STOLL from 1999-2000 - 2001-02, NIGEL DAWES from 2002-03 - 2004-05, RYAN RUSSELL from 2004-05 - 2006-07)...AUSTIN VETTERL made his 200th career appearance in a KOOTENAY uniform March 14 against the REBELS...SAM REINHART is three appearances shy of 250 career games played...TIM BOZON has 11 goals in 12 career games versus LETHBRIDGE...The ICE hold the second-best road penalty kill in the WHL at 84.2 percent.

STREAK: AUSTIN VETTERL has recorded points in each of his last three games (3-5-8).

INJURY: Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the ICE lineup three to five months with an upper body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 69 games of the 2013-14 season the ICE were 39-26-2-2, after 70 games 39-27-2-2, after 71 games 39-27-2-3 and after 72 games 39-28-2-3.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: SAM REINHART - Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TIM BOZON - Montreal Canadiens (3rd Round, 2012 NHL Draft), RINAT VALIEV - Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd Round, 2014 NHL Draft), JAEDON DESCHENEAU - St. Louis Blues (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft), TANNER FAITH – Minnesota Wild (5th Round, 2014 NHL Draft).

Monday, March 16, 2015

ICE Weekly Report

ICE CHIPS: The KOOTENAY ICE enter this week's action with a 36-29-1-3 record (21-12-1-1 at home, 15-17-0-2 on the road, 6-1 in overtime, 3-3 in shootouts) and in fourth place in the CENTRAL DIVISION and seventh place in the new playoff wildcard standings...KOOTENAY has clinched a playoff berth for the 17th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the WHL...The ICE will also finish with a .500 or better record for a WHL record 16th straight season...KOOTENAY will play its final three regular season games this week beginning with a matchup at LETHBRIDGE March 18.

PLAYOFF PACKAGES AVAILABLE: 2015 playoff packages are now available for purchase at the KOOTENAY ICE OFFICE...Six-game ticket packages are $120.00 for Adults, $96.00 for Seniors, $84.00 for Students, and $66.00 for Youth…For more information on playoff packages, phone 250-417-0322.

AWARDS NIGHT: The KOOTENAY ICE will present team awards for the 2014-15 season March 20...Join us for a special ceremony prior to the game against the CALGARY HITMEN as we celebrate the accomplishments of our players this season.

DID YOU KNOW: Goaltender WYATT HOFLIN broke an 18 year-old ICE franchise record with his 1,725th save of the season March 13 versus MEDICINE HAT...The previous record of 1,724 saves was set by TIM WINTERS during the inaugural 1996-97 campaign in EDMONTON...HOFLIN also recorded a franchise record 35th victory this season March 14 at RED DEER (33 saves)...The previous record of 34 wins had been shared by DAN BLACKBURN (1999-2000), JEFF GLASS (2004-05) and MACKENZIE SKAPSKI (2012-13)...LUKE PHILP recorded his 200th career point (goal) March 10 versus LETHBRIDGE...PHILP is the 14th player in franchise history to amass 200 points with the club...JAEDON DESCHENEAU reached the 30-goal mark for the third consecutive season March 10 against the HURRICANES...DESCHENEAU is the fourth player in franchise history to put up three consecutive 30-goal campaigns (JARRET STOLL from 1999-2000 - 2001-02, NIGEL DAWES from 2002-03 - 2004-05, RYAN RUSSELL from 2004-05 - 2006-07)...AUSTIN VETTERL made his 200th career appearance in a KOOTENAY uniform March 14 against the REBELS...SAM REINHART is three appearances shy of 250 career games played.

STREAK: AUSTIN VETTERL has recorded points in each of his last three games (3-5-8).

INJURY: Defenseman TANNER FAITH will be out of the ICE lineup three to five months with an upper body injury.

ONE YEAR AGO: After 69 games of the 2013-14 season the ICE were 39-26-2-2, after 70 games 39-27-2-2, after 71 games 39-27-2-3 and after 72 games 39-28-2-3.

UPCOMING WEEK:
Tuesday March 17 Practice 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Western Financial Place
Wednesday March 18 ICE at Lethbridge 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Thursday March 19 Practice 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Western Financial Place
Friday March 20 ICE vs. Calgary 7:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)
Saturday March 21 Practice 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Western Financial Place
Sunday March 22 ICE at Calgary 2:00 pm (102.9 FM – The Drive)

WEEK IN REVIEW:
Tuesday, March 10 – Kootenay 4 vs. Lethbridge 1 – Record 34-29-1-3 – Attendance: 2,000
Goals:
1 - Philp (29) from Valiev and Descheneau
2 - Vetterl (11) from Chynoweth
3 - Descheneau (30) from Philp and Vetterl
4 - Bozon (32) from Valiev (PP / EN)
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (26 Saves, 1 GA)

Friday, March 13 – Kootenay 7 vs. Medicine Hat 1 – Record 35-29-1-3 – Attendance: 2,374
Goals:
1 - Philp (30) from Descheneau and King
2 - Vetterl (12) from King and Zborosky (PP)
3 - Alfaro (11) from Zborosky and Vetterl
4 - Descheneau (31) from King and Philp
5 - Reinhart (18) from Lishchynsky and Cable
6 - Descheneau (32) from Philp and Murray
7 - Alfaro (12) from Vetterl and Fleury
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (32 Saves, 1 GA)

Saturday, March 14 – Kootenay 4 at Red Deer 2 – Record 36-29-1-3 – Attendance: 5,087
Goals:
1 - Loschiavo (6) from Murray and Vetterl
2 - Vetterl (13) from King and Martin
3 - Alfaro (13) from Vetterl and Lishchynsky
4 - Bozon (33) from Valiev and Cable (EN)
Goaltender: Wyatt Hoflin (33 Saves, 2 GA)