Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forward Brock Montgomery’s third period goal was the winner in a hard fought 2-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen in WHL action on Saturday night.
After a scoreless first period the Hitmen (39-24-2-1) opened the scoring on a delayed penalty with Cody Sylvester coming down the left wing and scored with a long wrist shot through the goalies legs.
The ICE (35-22-4-4) tied the game as Jesse Ismond cut to the crease and was stopped and Sam Reinhart put in the rebound.
Early in the third period the ICE made it 2-1 on a 2-on-1 break with Max Reinhart feeding Brock Montgomery who scored and is third ICE player to reach 20 goals.
The ICE magic # to clinch a playoff spot is 3 points. (combination of earning points and Red Deer not earning points)
The crowd was the biggest of the season.
Sam Reinhart was named the ICE Player of the Month for February.
ICE GM Jeff Chynoweth was not at the game after having his appendix removed on Friday night.
The ICE will visit Swift Current on Tuesday.
ICE Scratches – Jeff Hubic, Spencer Wand, Drew Czerwonka (7th game, lower body, 3-5 weeks).
Game Summary
Calgary 39-24-2-1 Kootenay 35-22-4-4
1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Bowman Cal (delay of game), 0:15; Cheek Cal (hooking), 1:13; Rissling Cal (tripping), 10:23; Martin Ktn (holding), 13:57.
2nd Period
1, Calgary, Sylvester 23 (Gogolev), 4:00.
2, Kootenay, S.Reinhart 27 (Ismond), 12:59.
Penalties-Ismond Ktn (roughing), 14:53; served by Ktn (too many men), 18:13.
3rd Period
3, Kootenay, Montgomery 20 (M.Reinhart, Antilla), 2:23.
Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Calgary 7-7-11-25. Kootenay 10-5-8-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 3; Kootenay 0 / 3.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 21-11-2-1 (23 shots-21 saves). Kootenay, Lieuwen 26-16-4-2 (25 shots-24 saves).
A-3,708
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Brett Iverson (24).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Scott Sharun (103).