Cranbrook, BC – Kootenay ICE forward Sam Reinhart had 2 goals and 1 assist and Mackenzie Skapski made 19 saves as the Kootenay ICE beat the Regina Pats 4-1 in WHL action on Friday night.
The victory was the 600th regular season win in Franchise history.
Kootenay opened the scoring late in the first period as Eric Benoit was near the crease and banged in a loose puck past the reaching goalies’ pad.
In the second period the ICE had full 2-minute 2-man advantage and with 11 seconds left on the powerplay Brock Montgomery scored on a spin around move with a forehand shot to the top corner.
The ICE added to their lead on a 2-on-1 break with Sam Reinhart putting in a Jakub Prochazka rebound.
Regina scored 1:21 later with Trent Oullette pushing in a loose puck under the goalie.
The ICE scored their 2nd powerplay goal of the game with Sam Reinhart in the middle slot with a wrist shot that beat the goalie high on the glove side.
Jakun Prochazka and Collin Shirley both earned their 1st WHL points and Jordyn Boyd earned his 1st point in an ICE uniform.
The crowd was the smallest for an ICE home opener.
The game featured two of the youngest teams in the WHL as the Pats had 10 rookies and the ICE had 6 rookies dressed for the game.
ICE forward Petr Vesely, from the Czech Republic, played in his 1st WHL Game.
Jordyn Boyd (summer trade with Everett) played his 1st game in an ICE uniform.
Defenseman Tanner Faith played his 1st game of the season for the ICE, two years ago he played four games as a 15-year-old call-up.
Drew Czerwonka and Wyatt Hoflin are the only two ICE players yet to play in a game this regular season.
Pats goalie Teagan Sacher made his 1st WHL start.
Regina’s #1 goalie Matt Hewitt was not available for the game and the Pats’ had an emergency back-up goalie.
Pat’s Head Coach Pat Conacher was not on the bench (personal reasons) and the team was directed by Malcom Cameron and Josh Dixon.
Dryden Hunt (born in Kimberley) and Kade Pilton (played KIJHL w/Fernie 2 years ago) were among the Regina scratches.
Former ICE forward Adam Rossignol played his first game in Cranbrook since being traded to Swift Current last season.
Last season Emil Sylvegard played for QMJHL Drummondville.
Henry Hardason is a native of Sweden but is not an import player as his home is now Phoenix, Arizona.
The ICE will host Lethbridge on Saturday night.
ICE Scratches – Spencer Wand (upper body day-to-day), Matthew Thomas, Kyle O’Connor, Drew Czerwonka (upper body 1-2 weeks), Kyle Krabben.
Game Summary
Regina 1-3-0-0 Kootenay 1-2-0-0
1st Period-
1, Kootenay, Benoit 1 (Boyd) 16:22.
Penalties-Stephenson Reg (tripping), 0:42; Hand Reg (major-fighting, game misconduct), 3:14; Hardarson Reg (boarding, major-fighting), 3:14; Martin Ktn (major-fighting, game misconduct), 3:14; Simpson Ktn (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 3:14; Shirley Ktn (tripping), 13:18.
2nd Period-
2, Kootenay, Montgomery 2 (Reinhart), 15:27 (PP).
Penalties-Leach Ktn (kneeing), 4:21; Christoffer Reg (interference), 6:44; Klimchuk Reg (delay of game), 8:43; Burroughs Reg (high sticking), 13:38; Ouellette Reg (roughing), 13:38; Simpson Ktn (hooking), 15:56.
3rd Period-
3, Kootenay, Reinhart 1 (Prochazka, Montgomery), 15:20.
4, Regina, Ouellette 3 (Rossignol), 16:41.
5, Kootenay, Reinhart 2 (Shirley, Muth), 19:23. (PP)
Penalties-Hamblin Reg (cross checking), 9:17; Stephenson Reg (interference), 18:31; Hardarson Reg (instigator, major-fighting, game misconduct), 19:32; Hubic Ktn (charging), 19:32.
Shots on Goal-Regina 8-4-8-20. Kootenay 4-7-13-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Regina 0 / 3; Kootenay 1 / 9.
Goalies-Regina, Sacher 0-1-0-0 (22 shots-20 saves). Kootenay, Skapski 1-2-0-0 (20 shots-19 saves).
A-2,531
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Chris Carlson (92), Aidan Henderson (78).