WHL Winnipeg Ice

Preview - Game 1 WHL Eastern Conference Championship Series

May 19, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release


Friday, May 20, 2022 Edmonton Oil Kings @ Winnipeg ICE 7:00 at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena

ICE CHIPS

The Winnipeg ICE host the Edmonton Oil Kings in Game 1 of the WHL's Eastern Conference Championship Series tonight at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena.

Last Friday, Matthew Savoie scored twice to lead the ICE to a 6-3 win over Moose Jaw to eliminate the Warriors 4 games to 1. Mikey Milne led Winnipeg with nine points (four goals & five assists) in those five games against Moose Jaw.

This is the first trip to the Eastern Conference Championship series since the ICE relocated from Cranbrook, B.C.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1: Friday, May 20, 7:00 at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena

Game 2: Saturday, May 21, 7:00 at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena

Game 3: Monday, May 23, 8:00 at Rogers Place

Game 4: Wednesday, May 25, 8:00 at Rogers Place

* Game 5: Friday, May 27, 8:00 at Rogers Place

* Game 6: Sunday, May 29, 5:00 at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena

* Game 7: Tuesday, May 31, 7:00 at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena

* if necessary (All times Central)

Entering the 2022 WHL Playoffs, the ICE had two players with WHL postseason experience on their roster. Jack Finley played 15 games during the 2019 playoffs with the Spokane Chiefs registering one goal and seven assists for eight points. Jarod Newell played one game with the Tri City Americans, also in 2019.

WHO'S HOT IN THE POST SEASON

Zach Benson is on a four game point streak (3-5-8)

Matthew Savoie is on a two game goal scoring streak (3) and two game point streak (3-1-4)

Mikey Milne is on a two game goal scoring streak (2) and two game point streak (2-3-5)

Cole Muir is on a two game goal scoring streak (2)

Conor Geekie is on a two game point streak (1-1-2)

Chase Wheatcroft is on a two game point streak (0-2-2)

Six members of the Winnipeg ICE were named by the Western Hockey League as All Stars and East Division nominees for the league's annual awards.

WHL East Division First All-Star Team

Goaltender - Daniel Hauser (Chestermere, Alta.) - Winnipeg ICE

Defenceman - Carson Lambos (Winnipeg, Man.) - Winnipeg ICE

Defenceman - Denton Mateychuk (Dominion City, Man.) - Moose Jaw Warriors

Forward - Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C.) - Regina Pats

Forward - Kyle Crnkovic (Chestermere, Alta.) - Saskatoon Blades

Forward - Matthew Savoie (St. Albert, Alta.) - Winnipeg ICE

Nominees for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy presented by Real Canadian Superstore, awarded annually to the WHL Goaltender of the Year:

B.C. Division - Dylan Garand (Victoria, B.C.) - Kamloops Blazers

Central Division - Sebastian Cossa (Fort McMurray, Alta.) - Edmonton Oil Kings

East Division - Daniel Hauser (Chestermere, Alta.) - Winnipeg ICE

U.S. Division - Taylor Gauthier (Calgary, Alta.) - Portland Winterhawks

Nominees for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy presented by Westland Insurance, awarded annually to the WHL Humanitarian of the Year:

B.C. Division - Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, B.C.) - Kamloops Blazers

Central Division - Luke Prokop (Edmonton, Alta.) - Edmonton Oil Kings

East Division - Conor Geekie (Strathclair, Man.) - Winnipeg ICE

U.S. Division - Graham Sward (Abbotsford, B.C.) - Spokane Chiefs

Nominees for the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the WHL's Coach of the Year:

B.C. Division - Kris Mallette - Kelowna Rockets

Central Division - Steve Konowalchuk - Red Deer Rebels

East Division - James Patrick - Winnipeg ICE

U.S. Division - Dennis Williams - Everett Silvertips

Nominees for the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the WHL's Executive of the Year:

B.C. Division - Bruce Hamilton - Kelowna Rockets

Central Division - Brent Sutter - Red Deer Rebels

East Division - Matt Cockell - Winnipeg ICE

U.S. Division - Bil La Forge - Seattle Thunderbirds

Individually, the ICE had numerous players finish in the WHL regular season's Top 10:

Daniel Hauser - 1st in shutouts with 8, 1st in goal against average at 2.00, tied for 1st in wins with 34, 3rd in save percentage at .914

Gage Alexander - 5th in goals against average at 2.40, tied for 8th in save percentage at .911

Ben Zloty - tied for 6th in assists with 56, 3rd in assists by a defenceman with 56, tied for 5th in points by a defenceman with 64, 6th in plus/minus by a defenceman at +38, tied for 7th in power play assists by a defenceman with 27, tied for 3rd in first goals scored by a defenceman with 3, 4th in points per game by a defenceman with 1.03

Carson Lambos - 5th in plus/minus by a defenceman at +42

Nolan Orzeck - 1st in plus/minus at +62

Zach Benson - tied for 3rd in first goals scored with 8, 6th in rookie points with 63, 9th in rookie goals with 25, tied for 10th in rookie game winning goals with 4, 1st in rookie first goals scored with 8, 8th in rookie assists with 38, 3rd in rookie plus/minus at +40, tied for 10th in rookie game winning goals with 4, 5th in rookie points per game at 1.09

Skyler Bruce - appeared in all 68 games

Cole Muir - appeared in all 68 games

Maximilian Streule - 10th in rookie plus/minus at +27

Jakin Smallwood - appeared in all 68 games

Mikey Milne - appeared in all 68 games, 10th in goals with 38, 2nd in plus/minus at +56

Conor Geekie - tied for 5th in plus/minus at +46

Matthew Savoie - 9th in WHL points with 90, tied for 8th in assists with 55, 1st in plus/minus at +54, 1st in rookie points with 90, 2nd in rookie goals with 35, 2nd in rookie power play goals with 12, tied for 10th in rookie game winning goals with 4, 2nd in rookie assists with 55, 3rd in rookie power play assists with 22, 1st in rookie plus/minus at +54, 1st in rookie points per game at 1.38

Connor McClennon - tied for 6th in goals with 43, tied for 7th in power play goals with 13, tied for 3rd in first goals scored with 8

Daniel Hauser, Gage Alexander and Dawson Cowan combined for 12 shutouts this season. The WHL record for most shutouts in a season belongs to the 2003-04 Kelowna Rockets when Kelly Guard and Derek Yeomans combined for 14.

Through the month of March, Hauser became just the fifth goaltender in the past 10 WHL seasons to record 11 or more wins in a calendar month. Only Andrey Makarov of Saskatoon, who won 15 games in February 2013 and Portland's Adin Hill, who won 12 games in January 2015, had more wins than Hauser in a month. Hauser's 11 wins equaled Seattle's Landon Bow in March 2018 and Jordan Cooke of Kelowna in January 2013.

A 5-0 victory March 19th in Brandon clinched the East Division Championship for the ICE earning 91 points through 57 games. Winnipeg set a new season high for minutes not allowing a goal against. From March 11th in Brandon to March 18th at home against the Wheat Kings, the ICE were not scored on in 241 minutes and 23 seconds of play. On home ice, Winnipeg did not allow a goal against in 325 minutes and 17 seconds dating back to March 2nd versus Lethbridge.

ICE VS OIL KINGS - Regular Season

Winnipeg had a 1-3 record versus Edmonton this season. (Oct 29 @ Edm 3-1 L / Dec 8 @ Wpg 3-2 L / Dec 11 @ Wpg 5-2 W / Feb 21 @ Edm 6-3 L).

Matthew Savoie (three goals & one assist), Conor Geekie (one goal and three assists) and Connor McClennon (one goal and three assists) each had four points in those four games against Edmonton.

WHO ENDED THE REGULAR SEASON ON A ROLL

Daniel Hauser was on a personal four game winning streak

Mikey Milne was on a three game goal scoring streak (3) and four game point streak (3-6-9)

Connor McClennon was on a four game point streak (3-2-5)

Jack Finley was on a four game point streak (2-2-4)

Matthew Savoie was on a three game point streak (3-3-6)

Zach Benson was on a two game goal scoring streak (2) and three game point streak (2-1-3)

Tanner Brown was on a two game point streak (1-2-3)

Jakin Smallwood was on a two game point streak (1-2-3)

Owen Pederson was on a two game point streak (1-1-2)

Carson Lambos was on a two game point streak (0-2-2)

Kia CHL TOP 10 RANKINGS - Year In Review

1. Winnipeg ICE - Wrapping up 2021-22 with a franchise record of 111 points, the ICE reigned supreme for much of the season, standing atop the circuit 13 times including a 12-week run in which the club went unseated. Bringing a dynamic offensive attack, the ICE saw four players score at least 70 points led by Matthew Savoie, a projected first-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft who headlined all WHL freshmen with an astounding 90 points.

2. Edmonton Oil Kings

3. Hamilton Bulldogs

4. Everett Silvertips

5. Charlottetown Islanders

6. London Knights

7. Quebec Remparts

8. Kamloops Blazers

9. Portland Winterhawks

10. Kingston Frontenacs

HAUSER SETS CANADIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE GOALTENDING RECORD

Goaltender Daniel Hauser set a new CHL record for games started in a career without a regulation loss.

Dating back to his WHL debut March 15, 2021 versus the Swift Current Broncos, Hauser went 20-0-2 before suffering his first regulation loss January 22, 2022 in Saskatoon.

Scott Olson of the Brandon Wheat Kings previously held the WHL record at 15-0-3 through the 1977-79 seasons. The Ontario Hockey League record is currently held by Alex Nedeljkovic who won 11 consecutive games to open the 2012-13 season with the Plymouth Whalers. In 1973, Maurice Barrette of the Quebec Remparts won his opening 19 games, a mark that still stands in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

KUBOTA CHL / NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME

ICE forwards Conor Geekie and Matthew Savoie participated in the Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game in Kitchener, Ontario. The contest featured the top 40 eligible players in the WHL, OHL and QMJHL for the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal.

WHL HISTORY

With their 11th win of the season October 27th in Calgary, Winnipeg won the most consecutive games to open a WHL season since 2006 eclipsing the previous mark of 10 games set by the 2014-15 Kelowna Rockets and 2006-07 Vancouver Giants.

A 3-1 loss in Edmonton October 29th saw the ICE fall one game short of tying for the longest winning streak in WHL history to start a season. The 1988-89 Swift Current Broncos hold the record of 12 straight wins before losing in Saskatoon October 30, 1988.

WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

ICE defensemen Carson Lambos represented Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer.

It marked the second straight World Junior Hockey Championship where a member of the Winnipeg ICE played for Team Canada. Forward Peyton Krebs had eight points (three goals and five assists) in seven games last year.

Defenseman Maximilian Streule represented Team Switzerland.

OH CANADA

ICE forward Zach Benson took part in the Capital City Challenge November 26th to December 1st in Ottawa winning a Gold medal. In the Gold Medal game, Benson scored the tying goal for Team Black with 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation time to force overtime. They beat Team Red 5-4. Benson led all players in the event with seven goals and 12 points.

ICE NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE MONTH

November - Matthew Savoie 10GP 7-15-22

ICE NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

May 9 - Owen Pederson 2GP 1-4-5

Nov 15 - Matthew Savoie 3GP 2-6-8

Oct 4 - Owen Pederson 2GP 3-3-6

ICE NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

March - Daniel Hauser 11GP 11-0, 1.58, .923, 4so

ICE NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Nov 15 - Gage Alexander 2GP 2-0, 1.00, .961

Nov 1 - Daniel Hauser 2GP 2-0, 1.00, .966, 1so

ROSTER

The ICE roster includes 14 forwards, 9 defenseman and 3 goaltenders.

- 14 players who skated for the ICE return from last season (Alexander, Benson, Boucher, Bruce, Geekie, Hauser, Lambos, McClennon, Milne, Muir, Orzeck, Pederson, Smallwood, Zloty).

- 14 players were selected by the ICE in the WHL Prospects Draft (Alexander, Benson, Boucher, Bruce, Geekie, Hauser, Lambos, McClennon, Milne, Orzeck, Pederson, Savoie, Woo, Zloty).

- 16 players are eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft led by Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie, who were selected first and second overall respectively by the ICE in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft (Boucher, Brown, Bruce, Friesen, Geekie, Hauser, Milne, Newell, Pederson, Savoie, Streule, Swan, Wheatcroft, Zloty).

TRANSACTIONS

APRIL 2022

12 - recalled goaltender Dawson Cowan from the Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)

12 - reassigned goaltender Noah Stenvig to the Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL)

MARCH 2022

25 - recalled goaltender Noah Stenvig from the Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL)

24 - reassigned goaltender Dawson Cowan to the Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)

21 - reassigned forward Ty Fraser to the Lethbridge Hurricanes U18 AAA (AEHL)

17 - recalled defenseman Jonas Woo from the Winnipeg Bruins (MU18HL)

8 - recalled goaltender Dawson Cowan from the Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)

8 - recalled forward Ty Fraser from the Lethbridge Hurricanes U18 AAA (AEHL)

4 - recalled forward Sequoia Swan from the Winnipeg Freeze (MJHL)

JANUARY 2022

28 - reassigned goaltender Noah Stenvig from the Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL)

21 - recalled goaltender Noah Stenvig from the Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL)

20 - signed defenseman Kyle Marsden to a WHL Standard Players Agreement

17 - acquired defenseman Tanner Brown from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a first round pick in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft

17 - acquired forward Chase Wheatcroft and a fifth round pick in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for forward Brayden Edwards, a fourth round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and a second round pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft

10 - acquired defenseman Jarod Newell from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for a ninth round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

7 - reassigned forward Sequoia Swan to the Winnipeg Freeze (MJHL)

4 - reassigned defenseman Ashton Cumby to the Lloydminster Bobcats U18 AAA (AEHL)

4 - reassigned goaltender Noah Stenvig to the Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL)

4 - reassigned defenseman Jonas Woo to the Winnipeg Bruins (MU18HL)

DECEMBER 2021

29 - recalled defenseman Ashton Cumby from the Lloydminster Bobcats U18 AAA (AEHL)

27 - recalled goaltender Noah Stenvig from Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL)

27 - signed forwards Miles Cooper, Hayden Moore and goaltender Noah Stenvig to WHL Standard Player Agreements

27 - recalled defenseman Jonas Woo from the Winnipeg Bruins (MU18HL)

20 - reassigned defenseman Josh Mettimano to The RINK Hockey Academy (CSSHL)

20 - reassigned defenseman Jonas Woo to the Winnipeg Bruins (MU18HL) 15 - acquired forward Alessandro Segafredo from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for defenseman Martin Bohm and a sixth round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft

15 - recalled defenseman Jonas Woo from the Winnipeg Bruins (MU18HL)

10 - signed defenseman Jonas Woo to a WHL Standard Players Agreement

6 - acquired forward Jack Finley and a seventh round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects

Draft from the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for forwards Chase Bertholet, James Form and a second round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

4 - recalled defenseman Josh Mettimano from The RINK Hockey Academy (CSSHL)

4 - reassigned defenseman Brandt Young to the Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)

3 - recalled defenseman Brandt Young from the Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)

2 - signed defenseman Josh Mettimano to a WHL Standard Players Agreement

1 - recalled defenseman Omen Harmacy from the Winnipeg Thrashers (MU18HL)

1 - reassigned forward Ty Fraser to the Lethbridge Hurricanes U18 AAA (AEHL)

1 - reassigned forward Aiden Oiring to the Southern Alberta Hockey Academy (CSSHL)

NOVEMBER 2021

25 - reassigned defenseman Omen Harmacy to the Winnipeg Thrashers (MU18HL)

24 - recalled defenseman Omen Harmacy from the Winnipeg Thrashers (MU18HL)

20 - recalled forward Ty Fraser from the Lethbridge Hurricanes U18 AAA (AEHL)

13 - recalled forward Aiden Oiring from the Southern Alberta Hockey Academy (CSSHL)

8 - reassigned defenseman Omen Harmacy to the Winnipeg Thrashers (MU18HL)

7 - recalled defenseman Omen Harmacy from the Winnipeg Thrashers (MU18HL)

OCTOBER 2021

23 - acquired a conditional seventh round pick in the 2023 Prospects Draft from the Victoria Royals in exchange for defenseman Anson McMaster

19 - assigned defenseman Brandt Young to Portage Terriers (MJHL)

7 - assigned goaltender Dawson Cowan to Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)

1 - acquired an eighth round pick in 2022 Prospects Draft from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for forward Rhys Raeside

SEPTEMBER 2021

27 - acquired a conditional ninth round pick in 2021 Prospects Draft from the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for forward Hayden Pakkala

23 - released defenseman Mike Ladyman

ICE ON AIR

The Winnipeg ICE have teamed up with Bell Media (103.1 FM Virgin Radio, CFRW 1290 AM, 99.9 Bounce FM and CTV) to share the excitement this WHL season.

All regular season and playoff games, presented by Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate, can be heard on CFRW 1290 AM and viewed online at www.winnipegICE.ca, WHL Live on CHL TV with Brian Munz and Kevin Olzsewski.

Check out the Winnipeg Ice Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from May 19, 2022


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