Cranbrook, BC – Brandon Wheat King defenseman Eric Roy scored with 3 seconds left in the game in a 4-3 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL action on Tuesday night.
The ICE (31-18-4-4) opened the scoring as Tanner Muth’s point shot was deflected by Brock Montgomery.
Less than a minute later the ICE made it 2-0 as Jon Martin on the rush deked a Wheat defenseman to get free in the slot and backhanded a shot by the goalie.
The Wheat Kings (29-26-1-2) scored 9-seconds into the second period as Michael Ferland’s slap shot beat the goalie on the glove side.
The goal ended Nathan Lieuwen’s shutout streak at 121:38 which is the 2nd longest in his career.
With the teams skating 4-on-4 the Wheat Kings tied the game 2-2 as the ICE misplayed the puck near the net and Eric Roy fed Mark Stone who had an open net.
Stone now leads the WHL scoring race.
The Wheat Kings made it 3-2 on the powerplay as Brenden Walker picked up his 3rd assist of the period with a saucer pass to the slot to Michael Ferland who scored on a one-time slap shot.
The ICE scored a powerplay goal with 2:21 left in the third period as Jesse Ismond skated through the slot and deked the goalie for an open net shot into the net.
The Wheat Kings scored the winner with 3 seconds left in the game as Eric Roy stepped into the slot with a wrist shot that beat the goal high on the stick side.
The ICE have 11 losses against the bottom 5 teams in the competitive East Conference.
The loss prevented the ICE from their first 3-game winning streak since November. Since then they have won 2 games in a row 4 times.
The ICE will host Spokane on Friday.
The ICE have 15 games left in the regular season with 7 at home and 8 on the road, the Wheat Kings have 14 games left 10 at home and 4 on the road.
ICE Scratches – Jeff Hubic, Spencer Wand.
Game Summary
Brandon 29-26-1-2 Kootenay 31-18-4-4
1st Period
1, Kootenay, Montgomery 18 (Muth, Cable), 12:02.
2, Kootenay, Martin 5 (Simpson), 12:56.
Penalties-Ciarelli Bdn (roughing), 16:41.
2nd Period
3, Brandon, Ferland 32 (Walker, Pulock), 0:09.
4, Brandon, Stone 37 (Walker, Roy), 7:33.
5, Brandon, Ferland 33 (Walker, Stone), 16:08 (PP).
Penalties-Descheneau Ktn (hooking), 6:03; Pulock Bdn (tripping), 6:31; Hunter Bdn (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 8:43; Montgomery Ktn (charging, major-fighting), 8:43; Dirk Ktn (interference), 15:31; Ciarelli Bdn (checking from behind), 16:35; Ismond Ktn (inter. on goaltender), 17:08.
3rd Period
6, Kootenay, Ismond 15 (S.Reinhart, M.Reinhart), 17:39 (PP).
7, Brandon, Roy 8 19:57.
Penalties-Walker Bdn (delay of game), 16:49.
Shots on Goal-Brandon 10-8-12-30. Kootenay 14-7-13-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Brandon 1 / 3; Kootenay 1 / 4.
Goalies-Brandon, Anderson 14-17-1-1 (34 shots-31 saves). Kootenay, Lieuwen 24-13-4-2 (30 shots-26 saves).
A-2,447
Referees-Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Chris Carlson (92), Cory Lundquist (128).