Pre Game Report Presented by Imperial Steel - ICE vs Blades - April 6, 2021
April 6, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
April 6, 2021, 5:00pm (MB time)
Winnipeg ICE @ Saskatoon Blades
Brandt Centre, Regina SK
50/50 Tickets -> https://bit.ly/38Wpetk
LAST GAME: ICE 5 Pats 2, Saturday, April 3. The ICE completed a back-to-back sweep by downing the Pats a night after they blanked the Raiders. Jakin Smallwood (9) scored the eventual game-winner late in the second period and rookie Daniel Hauser was named first star for a career-high 36 save effort.
SCENE SETTER: The ICE (8-4-0-0) have won two in-a-row heading into tonight's clash with the Blades (9-2-1-0) who have dropped two straight. Winnipeg collected long-weekend wins over Prince Albert and Regina. Saskatoon was upset by Moose Jaw before falling to Brandon. This is the third meeting of the season between the clubs with each team winning a one-goal game.
2021 SEASON SERIES:
Date Opponent Score Record PP PK Goalie Scorers
Mar. 17 @ SAS OTW 2-1 1-0-0-0 1/3 4/4 Alexander 23/24 17, 19
Mar. 31 vSAS L3-2 1-1-0-0 0/3 3/4 Alexander 25/28 34,94
NOTABLE:
Krebs Extends Streak: Peyton Krebs carries an 11-game point streak (6 goals, 15 assists) into tonight's contest. The ICE captain is also on an 9-game assist streak with 14 helpers.
Bruce On The Board: Skylar Bruce opened his WHL goal-scoring account Saturday, April 3rd versus Regina. The goal, combined with an assist versus P.A. the night before, gives the rookie his first point streak.
Mr. Zero: Gage Alexander picked up his first WHL shutout versus Prince Albert Friday, April 2nd stopping all 31 shots sent his way.
No Small Feat: Jakin Smallwood has ten points in his last seven games (5 goals, 5 assists). Smallwood has nine goals in 12 games to start the season.
Scoring Centurion: Forward Owen Pederson has 13 points in his last ten games (6 goals, 7 assists) and played his 100th WHL game versus Swift Current, Monday, March 15th.
Geekie Adds Multi: 2004-born Conor Geekie had a goal and an assist versus Regina Saturday, April 3rd for his third multi-point game in 12 outings this season.
Milne Returns In Style: Mikey Milne scored in his season debut against Prince Albert Friday, April 2nd. Milne, who had been sidelined due to injury, notched 13 goals and 33 points last season.
McClennon Hits A Hundred: Connor McClennon played his 100th Western Hockey League game vs Brandon, Thursday, March 25th. The second overall pick in the 2017 WHL Draft reached a century with 88 points to his credit (39 goals, 49 assists).
Krebs Milestone Man: Krebs hit 150 WHL assists with two helpers against Moose Jaw Sunday, March 28th. Also, Peyton's goal versus Swift Current Friday, March 26th was the 200th point of his WHL career. Krebs' first point was an assist in Lethbridge in his WHL debut on November 16, 2016.
WHL Firsts From The Hub:
March 23 vs Regina, Chase Bertholet scored his first WHL goal.
March 18th @ Moose Jaw, Skyler Bruce and Rhys Raeside each recorded their first WHL point assisting on Cole Muir's insurance goal, while goalie Carl Stankowski notched his first ICE win.
March 15th vs Swift Current, Zach Benson had his first goal, first assist, and first multi-point game. 2004-born Conor Geekie notched his first assist to earn his first point streak (2 games). After scoring 85 QMJHL goals, Anderson MacDonald notched his first Dub goal. And, 2004 born goalie Daniel Hauser collected the win in his first WHL appearance.
Powerplay Consistency: The ICE have scored a powerplay goal in 11 of their 12 games, and counted 18 powerplay goals in 57 advantages (31.6%). Winnipeg was 22.5% effective on the powerplay last season, tops in the East Division scoring 58 PPG in 63 games.
PK Boost: Winnipeg penalty killers were 4-for-6 versus Regina leaving them 39-for-46 on the season (84.4%) with two shorthanded goals.
ICE streak stopped: Winnipeg's season-high five-game win streak ended Thursday, March 25th with a 4-3 loss to Brandon. The ICE out-scored the opposition 24-12 over the five matches with ten special teams goals - 8 PPG and 2 SHG.
Back-to-Back: Tonight marks the start of Winnipeg's fourth back-to-back set in the Hub. Winnipeg is 2-1-0-0 in the second games of those sets so far. The club plays a total of six back-to-backs this season.
Home Kings: 4-2-0-0 at home to start 2021, the ICE went 20-8-1-0 within the East Division in 2019-20 for the best record among the six teams.
Winning Ways: Winnipeg's 38 total wins, and 22 home wins, were also East Division highs a season ago.
WHL Draft Dandies: six of the 26 players on the ICE roster are WHL Draft first round picks (Leppard [PG], Krebs, McClennon, Lambos, Geekie, and Benson).
Puck drops at 5:00PM CDT tonight, catch all the action live on CFRW 1290 AM, iHeartRadio App and winnipegICE.ca. Pre-game show starts at 4:30PM CDT with Mitch Peacock and Kevin Olszewski. Tonights game is also available on WHL Live on CHL TV.
Western Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2021
- ICE Beat Blades in OT for Third Straight Win - Winnipeg Ice
- Krebs, ICE Edge Blades 3-2 in Overtime - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Hub: April 6 - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Add Defenseman Saige Weinstein to Active Roster - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Preview: Americans and Thunderbirds Meet for First Time this Season - Tri-City Americans
- Pre Game Report Presented by Imperial Steel - ICE vs Blades - April 6, 2021 - Winnipeg Ice
- Game Day Hub: Blades and Ice Set to Clash for Third Time - Saskatoon Blades
- Trent Miner's Third Consecutive Shutout Lifts Giants to a 4-0 Win over Kamloops - Vancouver Giants
- Rebels GM/Head Coach Concerned About Health of Son Brandon and Family - Red Deer Rebels
- Rebels Stumble out of Starting Gate, Fall 6-1 to Visiting Oil Kings - Red Deer Rebels
- Tigers Fall to Hitmen in Shootout - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Greig Shorthanded Winner Gives Wheat Kings 3-2 Win over Raiders - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Raiders Drop Close Contest to Wheat Kings - Prince Albert Raiders
- Oliver, Guenther and Luypen Score Two Apiece; Oil Kings Hammer Rebels Again - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hitmen Use Shootout to Put Down Tigers - Calgary Hitmen
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