WHL Winnipeg Ice

ICE Fall to Blades for the First Time this Season

October 26, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release


The Winnipeg ICE had their season-high win three-game win streak stopped with an 8-3 loss to the Blades in Saskatoon Friday night, a loss preventing the ICE from pulling even with the Blades on points with three games in hand.

Winnipeg had taken two in-a-row from Saskatoon going into the matchup, but the Blades would not be swept in the unique three-game set that started with two games between the teams in the Manitoba capital.

The ICE fell behind at 12:07 of the first period on the first of three on the night for Saskatoon captain Chase Wouters who beat Winnipeg starter Jesse Makaj to give his team the lead.

Before the opening period was up the visitors struck twice, first Connor McClennnon with his fourth of the season and then newcomer Jackson Leppard on the power play with his second in two games since joining the ICE from Prince George in a trade last weekend.

"I saw a competitive first period," said head coach James Patrick post-game. "I liked the way we responded. I liked the way we came out, and then I just saw us obviously get beat 5-0 in the second period. I just thought they were super hungry, super intense and we couldn't match it."

Rookie Jayden Wiens scored the eventual game-winner and four other teammates lit the lamp in a decisive middle period that put Saskatoon ahead 6-2 after forty minutes.

Brad Ginnell, with his team-leading fifth goal of the season, notched Winnipeg's only other tally as the ICE were outscored 2-1 in the final period.

Jesse Makaj was replaced after stopping 14 of 20 shots in two periods of work. Gage Alexander made seven saves on nine third period shots from the hosts.

Each team scored twice on the power play as the ICE lost to the Blades for the first time in four games between the teams this season.

Winnipeg opens a four-game homestand Wednesday, October 30th when they host the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a 7:30 p.m. start at the ICE Cave (Wayne Fleming Arena).

ICE 3 Saskatoon 8

Below is a run down of the scoresheet:

First Period

Score Team Time Goal Assist(s)

0-1 Saskatoon 12:07 Wouters Walford, Crnkovic

1-1 Winnipeg 14:21 McClennon Harsch, Lambos

2-1 Winnipeg 19:47 Leppard Zloty, Ladyman

Second Period

Score Team Time Goal Assist(s)

2-2 Saskatoon 8:05 Florchuk

2-3 Saskatoon 9:15 Huber Dach, Kaddoura

2-4 Saskatoon 9:50 Wiens Kucerik, Kaddoura

2-5 Saskatoon 12:55 Zabransky Kucerik

2-6 Saskatoon 19:42 Robins

Third Period

Score Team Time Goal Assist(s)

2-7 Saskatoon 6:49 Wouters Kneen, Robins

2-8 Saskatoon 11:32 Wouters Dach, Kaddoura

3-8 Winnipeg 18:58 Ginnell McClennon

Special Teams

Team PP PK

Winnipeg 2/5 4/6

Saskatoon 2/6 3/5

Shots on Goal

Team 1st 2nd 3rd Total

Winnipeg 7 9 7 23

Saskatoon 10 10 9 29

Check out the Winnipeg Ice Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2019


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