Young Additions Shine Bright
March 16, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Winnipeg Ice News Release
The Winnipeg ICE picked up their first win of the season Monday night at the Brandt Centre edging the Swift Current Broncos 6-4.
And while veterans like Jakin Smallwood, Peyton Krebs, Connor McClennon, and Mike Ladyman put up two points apiece some young additions also played a part in getting the team to 1-and-1.
2019 first rounder Conor Geekie earned his first Western Hockey League assist, giving him points in two straight, and 2019 first rounder Zach Benson chipped in with a goal and a helper.
Not to be outdone, 2004-born goalie Daniel Hauser picked up the win in his WHL debut.
All signs the group is coming together early in this 24-game season.
COOL CUSTOMER
Hauser found out Sunday he'd be getting the net against the Broncos Monday, and the advanced notice allowed him to lean on his tried-and-true routines to get ready.
That said, there was no way to deny his enthusiasm for the chance to play.
"(I was) super excited, I think I really owe it to the coaches and management for putting confidence in me and giving me such a great opportunity"
It's an opportunity Hauser brought on thanks to an impressive camp with the ICE in the build up to opening night.
"Coming into practices here with the guys I just tried to do my best to learn all I could and show a great work ethic," said the product of Chestermere, AB after practice Tuesday. "Like James (head coach James Patrick) said, everything is earned and I kept that in mind and just tried to play my game and things worked out."
Calm and cool in the net, Hauser finished with 14 saves, including several big stops at key times.
After the final horn he got a nice keepsake too, the game puck courtesy of fellow netminder Gage Alexander - a fellow Albertan.
ZACH ATTACK
While Hauser impressed with his netminding, Zach Benson turned heads with his work on the third-line.
Promoted after a solid debut against Brandon, Benson made a nice play to earn a helper on the goal that put the ICE up 3-1.
Then, he dazzled with a terrific top-shelf finish for his first-ever tally to make it 4-1.
Two points for the team, and two points for the youngest player on the ice when all was said and done.
So, did the B.C. product expect things to go so well so soon?
"Not really. I mean, I just went out there with the mindset to work hard and I guess good things happen when you work hard."
A graduate of the Yale Hockey Academy, and Fraser Valley Thunderbirds, Benson is excited for what's ahead and is determined to repeat that post-game mood from Monday night.
"It's huge, definitely after the game it's a different feeling than (the) first Brandon one when we took the loss and I think we're just going to build on it."
CLICK HERE to get your Winnipeg ICE Foundation Jackpot 50/50 tickets today in support of the post secondary education of current and former Winnipeg ICE players.
The ICE open a back-to-back set with a game against the Saskatoon Blades tomorrow night, before taking on Moose Jaw Thursday both games are available on CFRW 1290 AM/iHeartRADIO starting with pre-game coverage at 4:30pm.
You can stream the games at 5:00pm on WHL Live on CHL TV.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2021
- Wheat Kings Drop First Meeting with Raiders 5 - 3 - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Horon Nets Three Points In Raiders Win Over Wheat Kings - Prince Albert Raiders
- Young Additions Shine Bright - Winnipeg Ice
- Game Preview: Broncos Battle Pats in First of Four Meetings - Swift Current Broncos
- Americans Announce 2020-21 Captain and Leadership Group - Tri-City Americans
- Preview: Wheat Kings vs Raiders - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Winterhawks Sign Prospect Luke Schelter - Portland Winterhawks
- Broncos Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Winnipeg - Swift Current Broncos
- ICE Pick up First Win of the Season - Winnipeg Ice
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