Mid-Season Review: ICE Like Start, Ready for More
Published on December 19, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
The Winnipeg ICE have a lot to be thankful for as they settle in for a hard-earned holiday break.
One game shy of midway through their first season in Manitoba the club has a growing, and passionate, fanbase and sits in a playoff spot just five points back of first-place in the East Division.
A lot has happened in a short time with a talented, determined, group of players gelling under the guidance of coaches James Patrick, Jon Klemm and Josh Green.
There were a lot of unknowns when training camp rolled around, and the ICE have been able to come together in a very positive way.
NEW FACES, IMPROVING CORE
From import forwards Michal Teply and Nino Kinder moving to Canada and fitting in seamlessly, to 20-year olds Reese Harsh and Isaac Johnson coming to town and taking on major roles, it has been impressive to watch a youthful team add new faces and take a step forward following the developmental campaign of a season ago.
And speaking of that youthful core, there are too many players emerging to credit everyone but Connor McClennon, Owen Pederson, and Ben Zloty earning their way onto NHL Central Scouting's 'Players to Watch" list ahead of the 2020 NHL draft, and Winnipeg's own Carson Lambos proving himself as a top-pairing defenseman at just 16-years old are clear examples of that improvement from within.
It's the kind of progress that has head coach James Patrick pleased with what he's witnessed so far.
"No question, yeah definitely, (when I) look back at training camp I didn't know what our team was going to be like. I didn't know what a lot of our newer players were going to be like, and how they were going to fit in," said Patrick as the players got ready to head home for the holidays. "And then, which younger players would be here. So, those things worked themselves out, and I guess by the end the talent does emerge and you find out what you have. But, I like where we are right now, and we've played some real good hockey, and it is going to be a battle this second half that's why, you know, every point is going to be so valuable. But no definitely from the start of the year, if you'd have asked me that- I'd be happy with his."
FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS
It took the ICE a little while to get things going at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena, but when they did it was a huge boost to their climb up the standings.
After dropping three straight to start life on the University of Manitoba campus, Winnipeg beat Saskatoon October 19th for its first-ever home victory. The next day the ICE completed a sweep of the Blades.
Eventually, Winnipeg would win 11 of 13 on home ice leading into the break, including a stunning 8 in-a-row at one point, to compliment their solid work away from home.
There were numerous big moments in the first-half including coming back from 5-1 down in the first period in Swift Current to beat the Broncos 6-5 in a shootout, and Connor McClennon thrilling a packed house with his first WHL hat-trick in a win over their arch-rivals from Brandon.
Along the way new additions like 19-year old centre Jackson Leppard, added in trade from Prince George, and free-agent goalie Liam Hughes have bolstered the cause and let's not forget the return of captain Peyton Krebs after a gruelling five-month rehab from achilles surgery.
All Krebs has done in 11 games this season is notch 13 points, including 8 on the power play. The Vegas Golden Knights' prospect is ICE focussed and geared up for what's to come.
"As a group we've been improving throughout the whole season, from when I was away to now I think we're a whole other team," said Peyton prior to some valuable recovery time at the family home in Okotoks, AB. "It's exciting to watch, for sure, and coming after Christmas break here to get that final push to make the playoffs is going to be really exciting. So, I'm looking forward to it."
LOTS OF WORK AHEAD
While the positives are many, and there's plenty of optimism surrounding the club, there's also too much leadership in place to let the group get ahead of itself.
The second half of the season is when the quality of play ramps up even more, the schedule-maker has the ICE facing a demanding February loaded with away games making January's home-heavy schedule extremely important.
Factor in critical divisional games and lots of action against an impressive Central Division and Winnipeg needs to be ready to go starting with a home-and-home against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
A rivalry already something to behold, and another of the big stories of the first-half of the season.
It'll be the ICE in Brandon December 27th and then home to the Wheaties December 28th, what a way to come out of the break!
"Every game we've played against them has been close, physical/intense battles, you want to go out and play in these games," said Patrick. "You have to be physically and mentally engaged and it's going to be like that every game (against Brandon). I mean obviously we're fighting for real important points. We're fighting for position in the division, and then you know being so close - two hours away - we have to play them ten times, there is some dislike already that's been brewing from game one."
With one memorable half-season behind them, it's hard to imagine what the second half will bring but it's safe to say you won't want to miss it!
Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2019
- Two Hitmen Prospects to Play in Mac's AAA Midget World Invivational Hockey Tournament - Calgary Hitmen
- Blades Sign Ben Saunderson to Standard Player Agreement - Saskatoon Blades
- WHL Now Inviting Applications for 2020 WHL U.S. Development Combines - WHL
- Mid-Season Review: ICE Like Start, Ready for More - Winnipeg Ice
- Americans Finish Season's First Half with 4-3 Loss in Everett - Tri-City Americans
- Giants Head into Holiday Break After a Road Win in Kelowna - Vancouver Giants
- Connor McDonald has 3 assists in Rockets loss to Giants - Kelowna Rockets
- Three Power Play Goals Lift Silvertips - Everett Silvertips
- Royals Upended by Chiefs - Victoria Royals
- Chiefs Enter Holiday Break with 3-1 Win at Victoria - Spokane Chiefs
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.
