Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forwards Eric Benoit and Max Reinhart each had 2 goals in a 4-1 win over the Portland Wnterhawks in WHL action on Saturday night.
There was no scoring in the 1st period even tough the ICE had 2 5-on-3 powerplays, one that lasted 55 seconds and the other 47 seconds.
In the second period the ICE (11-3-0-2) created a 2-on-1 near the net and Adam Rossignol fed a wide open Eric Benoit who scored his 4th of the year.
Portland (8-7-1-1) tied the game 1-1 on the powerplay with a slap shot from the point from Tyler Wotherspoon who beat the screened with a high shot.
The ICE regained the one-goal lead on a 2-on-1 shorthanded break as Drew Czerwonka threw a pass to the low slot that Max Reinhart reached for and redirected behind the goalie.
Early in the third period the ICE took a 3-1 lead as from behind the net Max Reinhart fed Eric Benoit in the low slot and his one-timer went through the goalies legs.
Portland had 3 powerplays in the final half of the third period including a minute long 5-on-3.
The ICE put the game away with an empty net goal from Max Reinhart after Joe Antilla hit the post.
With the assist Antilla has a 3-game point streak.
Luke Paulsen left the game in the 1st period with an injury and didn't return.
Jagger Dirk missed most of the 2nd period with a broken skate.
Joe Antilla played defense most of the evening.
This was the only meeting of the year between the clubs and was a rematch of last years’ WHL Finals.
The ICE will host the Everett Silvertips on Friday.
ICE Scratches – Wand, Cable, Hurley.
Game Summary
Portland 8-7-1-1 Kootenay 11-3-0-2
1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Ismond Ktn (hooking), 11:13; Petan Por (tripping), 12:44; Ross Por (interference, roughing), 13:50; Ismond Ktn (roughing), 13:50; Leach Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 13:50; served by Por (illegal substitution), 16:37; Rattie Por (cross checking), 17:50.
2nd Period
1, Kootenay, Benoit 4 (Rossignol, Neibrandt), 6:33.
2, Portland, Wotherspoon 1 (Petan, Peters), 8:28 (PP).
3, Kootenay, Reinhart 7 (Czerwonka), 17:58 (SH).
Penalties-Ross Por (interference), 1:36; Antilla Ktn (boarding), 7:28; Trott Por (roughing), 8:47; Descheneau Ktn (roughing), 8:47; Pouliot Por (hooking), 10:24; Reinhart Ktn (embellishment), 10:24; Trott Por (roughing), 16:36; Descheneau Ktn (high sticking), 16:36; Simpson Ktn (roughing), 16:36; Ross Por (slashing), 17:02; Leach Ktn (cross checking), 17:02.
3rd Period
4, Kootenay, Benoit 5 (Reinhart, Dirk), 1:39.
5, Kootenay, Reinhart 8 (Antilla), 19:20 (EN).
Penalties-Leier Por (roughing), 10:09; Morrow Por (major-fighting), 10:09; Ktn (major-fighting), 10:09; Ismond Ktn (roughing, roughing), 10:09; Rutkowski Por (delay of game), 14:23; Reinhart Ktn (slashing), 15:25; Ismond Ktn (slashing), 15:59.
Shots on Goal-Portland 5-10-0-15. Kootenay 10-10-2-22.
Power Play Opportunities-Portland 1 / 6; Kootenay 0 / 6.
Goalies-Portland, Carruth 7-7-1-0 (21 shots-18 saves). Kootenay, Lieuwen 99-2-0-2 (15 shots-14 saves).
A-2,751
Referees-Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Aidan Henderson (78), Ian Shaver (74).