ICE and Raiders Battle for Top Spot in the East
December 30, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
The top two teams in the east division will go head to head tonight and three of the next four games for the ICE. The teams are only separated by one point in the standings for the eastern division crown.
The ICE will look to build off of a two game sweep of the Wheat Kings over the weekend which improved their record to 8-2-0-0 over the last ten games. The Raiders are coming off a weekend in which they lost both games to the Saskatoon Blades dropping their record over the past ten games to 4-6-0-0.
The Raiders have gotten the better of the ICE in both meetings this season coming in Prince Albert. The Raiders won the first contest in late September in overtime. In the second meeting the Raiders won 3-1 in the comforts of their own arena but the ICE look to get one back tonight.
WINNIPEG ICE
PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS
Record:
21-13-1-0
20-11-3-1
Last 10 Games:
8-2-0-0
4-6-0-0
Power Play:
32/158 (20.3%)
24/115 (20.9%)
Penalty Kill:
85/116 (72.4%)
104/129 (80.6%)
GF-GA:
123-128
124-93
Ranking:
2nd East Division | 5th Eastern Conf.
1st East Division | 4th Eastern Conf.
LAST GAME - 3-2 WIN OVER BRANDON: The ICE were back home after a quick trip to Brandon to host the Wheat Kings for the second half of a home-and-home series. The ICE won 4-0 against the Wheaties on Friday night, where Liam Hughes registered his first career WHL shutout.
It was a busy first period with both teams finding the back of the net, as Brandon led 2-1 after goals from Jonny Hooker and Chad Nychuk. Jackson Leppard had the lone goal for the ICE in the period. The period was a chippy one with 40 penalty minutes going both ways in the period. The Wheat Kings were the only team to capitalize on the man advantage as Hooker's 7th of the year came after James Form was called for hooking.
The bad blood continued in the second period as 16 more penalty minutes were dished out between the two teams. Neither team was able to capitalize on the power play during the second period, as the shots were 20-17 in favor of the ICE. Brandon took their 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
Just 36 seconds into the third period, the ICE tied the game while shorthanded as Carson Lambos finished a pass from Connor McClennon on an odd man rush. Just 3 minutes later the ICE would take the lead as Owen Pederson scored his 10th goal of the season for the 3-2 lead. The ICE would hold on to that lead to sweep the home-and-home series with the Wheat Kings.
ICE 2019-20 Club Leaders:
Goals: Connor McClennon (16)
Assists: Isaac Johnson, Connor McClennon (20)
Points: Connor McClennon (36)
PIMS: Jackson Leppard (50)
Plus/ Minus: Carson Lambos (+9)
Wins: Jesse Makaj (9)
RAIDERS 2019-20 Club Leaders:
Goals: Aliaksei Protas (20)
Assists: Aliaksei Protas (27)
Points: Aliaksei Protas (47)
PIMS: Jeremy Masella (47)
Plus/ Minus: Aliaksei Protas (+27)
Wins: Boston Bilous (15)
VS PRINCE ALBERT THIS SEASON: The Winnipeg ICE are 0-1-1-0 against the Raiders this season.
NEXT UP: Below are the next three games for the Winnipeg ICE:
Wednesday, January 1st - Winnipeg @ Saskatoon
Saturday, January 4th - Winnipeg vs Prince Albert
Sunday, January 5th - Winnipeg vs Prince Albert
The ICE and the Raiders will meet for back to back games at the ICE Cave (Wayne Fleming Arena, U of M) on Saturday, January 4th at 7:30PM and Sunday, January 5th at 6:00PM.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2019
- Pats Bested by Wheat Kings, 4-1 - Regina Pats
- Pats' Paddock Named WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week - WHL
- Blazers' Centazzo Named WHL On the Run Player of the Week - WHL
- Centazzo Named WHL on the Run Player of the Week - Kamloops Blazers
- Winning Wednesdays: New Years Day - Saskatoon Blades
- Nolan Foote notches goal as Canada downs Germany at World Juniors - Kelowna Rockets
- Reflecting on a Decade - Moose Jaw Warriors
- ICE and Raiders Battle for Top Spot in the East - Winnipeg Ice
- Preview: Broncos Return Home Hoping for Rebound against Hurricanes - Swift Current Broncos
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Monday, December 30 vs. Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Play Final Game of 2019 Monday in Brandon - Regina Pats
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