ICE Travel to Red Deer for Crucial Central Division Match Up
March 2, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kootenay Ice News Release
Cranbrook, B.C. - The Kootenay ICE (25-37-3-0) visit the Red Deer Rebels (23-28-10-3) on Friday.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.
This is a crucial match up for both teams, as the ICE are six points back of the Rebels for the third spot in the Central Division.
ICE PREVIEW
Goals: Alec Baer (26)
Assists: Colton Kroeker (43)
Points: Colton Kroeker (55)
PIMS: Jonathan Smart (61)
Plus/Minus: Michael King, Nolan Orzeck (+2)
Wins: Matt Berlin (14)
The ICE are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday, February 28. The ICE got goals from Alec Baer and Cole Muir while goaltender Duncan McGovern made 22 saves. The ICE were outshot 27-25. They went 1-for-7 on the power play, 3-for-5 on the penalty kill and won 23 of 55 face-offs.
Including Friday's contest, the ICE have seven regular season games left - three at home and four on the road.
The ICE have collected 53 points this season, which is good for fourth in the Central Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference.
The ICE have a road record of 10-21-1-0 and are 1-9-0-0 in the last 10 games.
The ICE have a 13-14-1-0 record against Central Division teams this season and have defeated every team in their division at least once.
UPCOMING MILESTONES:
GOALS
- '99-born forward Brett Davis is four goals away from 50 career WHL goals.
- '97-born forward Colton Kroeker is four goals away from 50 career WHL goals.
ASSISTS
- '99-born forward Brett Davis is one assist away from 50 career WHL assists.
- '97-born forward Colton Veloso is eight assists away from 50 career WHL assists.
- '97-born forward Alec Baer is two assists away from 100 career WHL assists.
POINTS
- '99-born forward Brett Davis is five points away from 100 career WHL points.
- '97-born forward Colton Kroeker is four points away from 150 career WHL points.
- '97-born forward Colton Veloso is five points away from 100 career WHL points.
GAMES
- '97-born forward Colton Kroeker is four games away from reaching 250 career WHL games played.
ICE STREAKS:
- '99-born forward Brett Davis has 37 points in the last 32 games (15G, 22A).
- '97-born forward Colton Veloso has 20 points in the last 22 games (9G, 11A).
- '97-born forward Alec Baer has points in three-straight games (0G, 3A).
REBELS PREVIEW
Rebels 2017-18 Club Leaders:
Goals: Mason McCarty (34)
Assists: Brandon Hagel (34)
Points: Mason McCarty (63)
PIMS: Brandon Cutler, Mason McCarty (76)
Plus/Minus: Colin Paradis (+10)
Wins: Riley Lamb (10)
The Rebels conclude a four-game home stand against the ICE on Friday. The Rebels have been one of the hottest teams in the WHL since January 23, winning 13 of their last 18 games.
The Rebels are coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over the Calgary Hitmen on February 28. Reese Johnson scored the game-winner - his 20th of the season - at the 2:12 mark of the extra frame. The Rebels outshot the Hitmen 38-20. They went 2-for-5 on the power play, 1-for-1 on the penalty kill and won 33 of 67 face-offs.
The Rebels have collected 59 points this season, which is good for third in the Central Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference.
The Rebels have a home record of 11-15-4-2 and are 7-3-0-0 in the last 10 games.
HEAD TO HEAD
This is the fifth meeting of the season between the ICE and the Rebels.
The ICE are 3-1 against the Rebels this season. The last time these two teams played was on November 18, which turned out to be a 3-1 victory for the ICE.
The ICE and Rebels meet two more times before the season is done.
The ICE are 5-7-0-0 in the last 12 games against the Rebels in Red Deer. Overall, both home and away, the ICE are 8-15-1-1 in their last 24 meetings with the Rebels.
 ICE v REBELS COMPARISONS
CATEGORY ICE REBELS
PP 50-279 (17.9%) 45-251 (17.9%)
PK 47-225 (79.1%) 55-249 (77.9%)
GOALS FOR 191 185
GOALS AGAINST 255 218
STREAK L-6 W-2
HOME RECORD 15-16-2-0 11-15-4-2
AWAY RECORD 10-21-1-0 12-13-6-1
Western Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2018
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- Kelowna Rockets Complete King of the Pins Tournament - Kelowna Rockets
- ICE Travel to Red Deer for Crucial Central Division Match Up - Kootenay Ice
- Wheat Kings Facing Tough Weekend Assignment - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, March 2 at Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Blades Host Hurricanes for Friday Fracas - Saskatoon Blades
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