The Kootenay Ice (18-17-2-0) came to Edmonton to face the Oil Kings (9-22-4-1) Saturday night. The Oil Kings entered the game on a three-game win streak since returning from the Christmas Break. Kootenay came in riding a four-game win streak that dates back to December 16. The Oil Kings started Josh Dechaine for the fourth straight game while Bailey Brkin got the nod for the Ice.
Kootenay came out hot to start the game., scoring within the first minute of the game. Keenan Taphorn found a scramble puck in the crease and put it in the net. Kootenay expanded their lead shortly after as captain Colton Kroeker sniped a wrist shot over the glove of Dechaine from the top of the circle. Edmonton found some scoring from Davis Koch at 7:34. Short handed two-on-one the other way, Trey Fix-Wolansky made a beautiful play over to Koch on the back door. Edmonton applied good pressure late in the frame. Shots were 16-8 for Kootenay after one.
Edmonton carried their strong play to the first into the second and tied the game up early into the middle frame. Colton Kehler shoot home his 13th goal of the season, a shot that got under the arm of Brkin. Late in the frame however, Kootenay regained their lead, Cameron Hausinger scored on the power play, after a blocked bounced off the boards onto the stick of Hausinger. The Oil Kings responded 13 seconds after asTomas Soustal got a stick on a Trey Fix Wolansky shot. Score was 3-3 at the end of the second with shots 27-14 in favour of Kootenay.
The third period was a bit more physical, Edmonton really applied most of the pressure and got a few scoring opportunities to take the lead. No teams could get one past the other’s goalie, with the game needing overtime to settle it. Shots being 32-27 for the Kootenay Ice at the end of regulation.
Overtime ended early, with Colton Kroeker scoring his second on the game, a shot labeled over the blocker of Dechaine only 42 seconds into the frame. Kootenay take the 4-3 win.
Game Notes:
-Edmonton struggled to make plays out of the own zone, especially on the power play. They struggled to move the puck in to the neutral zone. They played much better defensively and goalie Josh Dechaine really played strong when the Oil Kings needed him to.
-Peyton Krebs has continued to impress. The 16-year-old was arguably the best player when he was on the ice and consistently created offense while being defensively responsible. He’s a kid who will be a first round prospect going into the 2019 NHL draft.
-I thought it was a strong game for a few of the Oil Kings player. Trey Fix Wolansky played at another level, consistently drove that offense and create a tonne of scoring chances. Ethan Cap looked much more assertive, got in at time offensively and looked strong on the back end. Conner McDonald has really toned up his offensive game, has really looked strong on that first power play unit. Brett Kemp continues to look like a future star in the league, his possession based game and creativity shines as he is able to really make things happen on the rush and in the offensive zone. Josh Dechaine has really looked strong since being called back up, made a couple of real nice save. He has looked much more puck focused, does very well locating where the puck is and making adjustments.
Kootenay Ice draft eligibles:
-Bradley Ginnell – He’s a recent addition who played in his second game with the club. He played an alright game, drew a couple of calls and showed his off his north-south speed. A true winger who at times shows that he could be a real stud in the WHL in his late teens.
-Keenan Taphorn – Keenan has really taken over with his development since last season. Seems much more explosive and versatile. Played on there second PK unit and anticipated the play well, creating turnovers and getting to loose pucks. Keenan has learned to put himself in good areas of the offensive zone, compete for space and find ways to chip in through that. Got himself a goal in the first as well.
-Kaedan Taphorn – Like his twin brother, Kaedan also looks like he has developed well since last season. A more physical player who battles hard around the net and is more physical in the corner. Can get in on the cycle and gets puck on net. A player who looks to be finding his niche in the league.
