Edmonton, Alb – The Edmonton Oil Kings have taken a 2-0 lead in the series with a 4-3 win over the Kootenay ICE in WHL playoff action on Sunday night.
The ICE opened the scoring early in the first period as Drew Czerwonka deflected a low shot by Max Reinhart that went over the goalies’ blocker.
The Oil Kings had a very long 5-on-3 powerplay and scored on the following one-man advantage with Michael St. Croix tying the game 1-1.
The ICE took a 2-1 lead just as a powerplay ended with Max Reinhart sending a pass from the blueline to the far crease for Jesse Ismond to redirect into the net.
In the second period the Oil Kings tied the game 2-2 on a powerplay goal by Tyler Maxwell. ICE goalie Nathan Lieuwen was interfered with earlier on the play and lost his stick and balance.
After serving a penalty Joey Leach joined the ICE on the rush for a 3-on-1 break and scored with a shot high on the stick side. Spencer Wand earned his 1st career playoff assist on the goal.
In the third period the Oil Kings scored 2 goals in a span of 1:43 with Curtis Lazar on a 3-on-2 and Keegan Lowe with a slap shot from the blueline.
Game 3 is Wednesday in Cranbrook.
The ICE All-Time record in the playoffs when they lose the 1st 2 games of series 5 times 2-3 and when they lose the 1st 2 games on the road 3 times 0-3.
ICE Scratches – Jeff Hubic, Luke Paulsen, Jon Martin.
Game Summary
Edmonton leads series 2-0.
1st Period
1, Kootenay, Czerwonka 1 (M.Reinhart), 1:00.
2, Edmonton, St. Croix 2 (Foster, Maxwell), 8:46 (PP).
3, Kootenay, Ismond 1 (M.Reinhart, Pearce), 16:47.
Penalties-Antilla Ktn (cross checking), 6:42; Reinhart Ktn (checking from behind), 7:10; Sautner Edm (interference), 14:47.
2nd Period
4, Edmonton, Maxwell 1 (St. Croix, Lazar), 2:37 (PP).
5, Kootenay, Leach 1 (Benoit, Wand), 12:49. Penalties-Montgomery Ktn (tripping), 1:16; Ismond Ktn (interference, roughing), 6:24; Lowe Edm (roughing), 6:24; St. Croix Edm (tripping), 9:46; Czerwonka Ktn (slashing), 10:40; Leach Ktn (roughing), 10:40; Reinhart Edm (roughing), 10:40.
3rd Period
6, Edmonton, Lazar 2 (Pelss), 15:05.
7, Edmonton, Lowe 1 (Legault, Pysyk), 16:48.
Penalties-Montgomery Ktn (checking from behind), 4:13; Peddle Edm (slashing), 7:12; Reinhart Ktn (slashing), 12:46; Legault Edm (elbowing), 19:30; Czerwonka Ktn (roughing), 19:44; Reinhart Edm (roughing), 19:44.
Shots on Goal-Kootenay 8-4-13-25. Edmonton 20-13-12-45.
Power Play Opportunities-Kootenay 0 / 4; Edmonton 2 / 7.
Goalies-Kootenay, Lieuwen 0-2-0-0 (45 shots-41 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 2-0-0-0 (25 shots-22 saves).
A-8,463
Referees-Curtis Howe (27), Reagan Vetter (79).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Cory Lundquist (128).