Kelowna, BC – The Kootenay ICE scored 3 powerplay goals and got shutout goaltending from Nathan Lieuwen in a 4-0 win over the Kelowna Rockets in WHL action on Friday night.
For the 5th game in a row on the road trip the ICE scored the 1st goal of the game, with the clubs skating 4-on-4, as Drew Czerwonka fed Sam Reinhart on a partial breakaway and scored with a wrist shot that squeezed through the goalies’ legs.
Sam Reinhart extended his point streak to 5 games.
Late in the second period the ICE scored on a power-play with Max Reinhart feeding Drew Czerwonka near the crease with a redirection behind the goalie.
Max Reinhart extended his point streak to 6 games which is the longest by an ICE player this season.
Czerwonka leads the club with 4 PPG.
Early in the third period the ICE connected on the powerplay as Max Reinhart’s point shot was blocked before it reached the net and Brock Montgomery backhanded the puck through the goalies’ legs.
With 8:53 left in the 3rd period a piece of the plexi-glass was shattered by a shot from Mitchell Chapman.
On another powerplay Brock Montgomery redirected a Jesse Ismond pass for his 2nd of the period.
Sam Reinhart had 14 points in the 15 periods of the road trip.
Joe Antilla extended his point streak to 5 games.
Nathan Liweun earned his 2nd shutout of the year and 8th of his career.
The ICE outscored the BC team 26-9 and trailed only once in the 5 games for 6:03 in the 2nd period in Prince George.
The ICE are alone in 1st place in the East Conference.
The ICE have a tied a Franchise Record with 6 straight road wins.
The ICE drafted Spencer Wand with the 4th round pick they acquired from Kelowna for Kris Lazaruk.
On October 5th/08 Drew Czerwonka scored his 1st career goal vs Kelowna against Lazaruk with Max Reinhart earning his 1st career point with an assist on the goal.
Former ICE netminder Dan Blackburn (2000 WHL Playoff MVP) will play in net for the NY Rangers in the Alumni Game at this years’ NHL Winter Classic.
The ICE will start a 4-game Saskatchewan trip in Saskatoon on Wednesday.
ICE Scratches – Paulsen, Martin, Benoit.
Game Summary
Kelowna 9-12-2-1 Kootenay 18-5-1-2
1st Period
1, Kootenay, S.Reinhart 8 (Czerwonka, Neibrandt), 13:22.
Penalties-Hurley Ktn (major-fighting), 2:37; Chapman Kel (major-fighting), 2:37; Ismond Ktn (high sticking), 6:50; Leach Ktn (kneeing), 12:19; Rigby Kel (roughing), 12:19.
2nd Period
2, Kootenay, Czerwonka 8 (M.Reinhart, S.Reinhart), 19:51 (PP).
Penalties-Wand Ktn (major-fighting), 1:55; Goulbourne Kel (major-fighting), 1:55; Czerwonka Ktn (checking to the head), 4:56; Bulmer Kel (interference), 12:07; Ismond Ktn (roughing), 17:24; Heffley Kel (roughing), 17:24; Sissons Kel (embellishment), 18:29.
3rd Period
3, Kootenay, Montgomery 6 (M.Reinhart, Antilla), 4:22 (PP).
4, Kootenay, Montgomery 7 (Ismond, M.Reinhart), 15:23 (PP).
Penalties-Baillie Kel (slashing), 3:24; Reinhart Ktn (tripping), 4:46; Sissons Kel (slashing), 13:49.
Shots on Goal-Kootenay 5-6-12-23. Kelowna 10-14-11-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Kootenay 3 / 4; Kelowna 0 / 3.
Goalies-Kootenay, Lieuwen 13-4-1-2 (35 shots-35 saves). Kelowna, Brown 8-11-0-0 (23 shots-19 saves).
A-6,121
Referees-Adam Griffiths (36), Devin Klein (9).
Linesmen-Mike Langin (67), Alex Teichroeb (120).