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WHL Winnipeg Ice

ICE Mid-Season Review

April 5, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release


Only at a time like this could a dozen games actually feel like half a season.

So many storylines, so many plot-twists, and all that 12 games into a 24-game schedule being played out in a Hub in Regina during a global pandemic.

It's something special to be playing at all really, and that's worth bearing in mind as we take a look at the fascinating tale that's unfolding for the Winnipeg ICE here on the prairies.

BIG PICTURE

After dropping their season opener by a goal to their arch-rivals from Brandon, the Winnipeg ICE were inspired not discouraged.

The result wasn't what they wanted against the Wheat Kings, but it was a place to start and a valuable reminder of what it's like to compete fiercely after more than a year away from the game.

Armed with that awareness, the ICE showed they could take on a variety of opponents and find ways to come out on top.

A victory in the second game of the season, their "home opener" against Swift Current, launched Winnipeg on a winning run that lasted five games in total and saw the ICE outscore the other side 24-12.

But as with any season there are ups-and-downs, and Winnipeg's winning run ended with their first consecutive losses, a hard-fought battle versus Brandon and a high-scoring setback against Swift Current.

Since then, the ICE are back on track with wins in three of their last four to improve to 8-4-0-0 at the midway mark.

Quality goaltending, a capable defence corps learning on the job, impressive depth up front, and top-notch special teams are the key storylines to emerge.

NET GAIN

The ICE have adopted a set of values and agreed on a motto to guide them through the Subway East Division Hub experience with "defend the bubble" that motto.

And boy is that fitting because the team has really defended in the bubble, limiting opponents to an impressive 2.66 goals per-game.

All three ICE goalies - Gage Alexander, Daniel Hauser, and Carl Stankowski - have earned wins with Alexander and Hauser combining for seven of the eight victories and the trio recording a combined .905 save percentage.

Hauser leads the group with a 4-0-0-0 mark and was the first star in Saturday's first-half finale, a 5-2 win over Regina.

And just the night before, Alexander earned his first career shutout blanking Prince Albert to give him two victories against the Raiders to go along with one over the impressive Saskatoon Blades.

D-LIGHTFUL

Competitive, adaptable, capable of learning on the fly, and effective come to mind when reviewing the ICE blueline.

Elite 2021 NHL Draft prospect Carson Lambos gave the ICE two solid outings before being sidelined with a medical matter which led to more being asked of the remaining d-men - players already tasked with stepping up after the graduations of Dawson Barteaux (Texas, AHL) and Reece Harsch (U of Manitoba).

Nolan Orzeck, Mike Ladyman, Ben Zloty and Karter Prosofsky have shone in expanded roles with Zloty munching major minutes in the final two games of the first half as Orzeck and Ladyman went out with injuries.

The Calgary-product has recently topped 30 minutes in games and notched eight points in a dozen outings all together.

Meanwhile, Prosofsky did enough to earn a place on the East Division Team of the Week announced earlier today.

Anson McMaster joins newcomers Brandt Young and Owen Boucher to round out a group that is earning kudos for making the best of the opportunity presented by a challenging situation.

FORWARD THINKING

The Winnipeg ICE are blessed by quality depth, and that certainly applies to the team's forward group.

It all starts with a top line of Owen Pederson, Peyton Krebs, and Connor McClennon - a trio that's amassed 18 goals and 50 points combined after dozen starts with Krebs pushing for the WHL scoring lead

Some of that production is at even-strength, and some of it comes from their contributions to a potent powerplay that has 18 tallies already.

But beyond the top line, there are numerous good news stories - too many for this space so some highlights will have to do.

Veteran Jakin Smallwood is off to a torrid start with nine goals already, five on the man-advantage.

And, new-arrivals are making names for themselves.

Conor Geekie, the second-overall pick in the 2019 WHL Draft, and Zach Benson, selected 14th overall last year, have each demonstrated three-zone ability while recording ten points apiece.

SPECIAL TEAM

Even though there are individuals putting up numbers ,and drawing the spotlight, it takes a team to get to 8-4-0-0 and so it should be noted the ICE are getting impactful minutes up and down the lineup from game to game with both experienced players and those learning their way making a difference.

Also, Winnipeg's ability to kill penalties - almost 85% efficient - has been a plus to match the impressive work on the power play.

All of this to say, so far so good for James Patrick's bunch.

In a season like no other, the ICE are putting together a season to remember.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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