In the span of just over two minutes, the Kootenay Ice tallied four goals en route to a 7-3 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Tuesday night in Western Financial Place
It was an offensive outburst so hot, it set off fire alarms in the arena.
Okay, further investigation revealed that smoke from a burger kiosk in the lobby was responsible for the incident, but lets not wreck the narrative.
Brett Davis led the way for the Ice with a pair of goals, while Peyton Krebs, Keenan and Kaeden Taphorn, Brad Ginnell and Colton Veloso also lit the goal lamp.
Kootenay goaltender Duncan McGovern was the steady hand in net with 24 saves.
The Ice chased ‘Canes goaltender Nick Flodell from the crease with five goals in 21 shots, while Reece Klassen came in for relief in the middle frame, making nine saves in 10 shots to close out the affair.
Kootenay won the special teams battle, scoring twice in four opportunities with the man-advantage.
Ice head coach James Patrick said the powerplay had different looks in the first period, as one featured a ton of shots on goal, while the other had good puck movement, but no shots.
“I thought we learned from that when we did get a powerplay in the second [period]. Got it up, rolled it over, attacked the net and were rewarded for it,” Patrick said.
Davis rang a shot off the post in the first period on the powerplay, but it was Lethbridge who struck first as captain Jordy Bellerive found space and scored from the slot.
However, Ginnell scored his second goal with the team since coming over in a trade from Portland, using his hand-eye coordination to bat the puck out of midair in front of the crease. Initially, the referee called a high-stick, but conferred with his colleagues at centre ice and checked the video review, eventually signalling for a good goal.
Tied up heading into the second period, the ‘Canes fell apart early.
First it was Krebs, scoring five seconds into a powerplay from the side of the offensive zone faceoff circle. Forty-one seconds later, Kaeden Taphorn tallied, followed by twin brother Keenan and then Davis.
“Davis’ line came out and they’ve been really hot for us lately and got a couple for us, so everyone was just playing well there and we just kept rolling over them,” said Ginnell.
After the Ice got up 5-1, Patrick said elements of immaturity were evident from his team.
“To play and do some of the things we did with a 5-1 lead…I hope it’s a learning experience,” said Patrick, “but at this time in the season, it’s pretty disappointing when you have D joining the rush and forcing plays when you have 5-1 lead — a D should never have to join the rush, just keep it moving, dump it in.
“…I saw some immaturity in young guys trying to get points so hopefully this will be a real good learning lesson for us moving forward.”
Lethbridge was sparked by Keltie Jeri-Leon, who scored just after the halfway mark of the frame, while Brad Morrison lit the lamp five minutes later.
However, less than a minute into the final period, Kootenay got back on the board with Veloso earning his 16th marker of the campaign on the powerplay.
Despite some late-game pressure, Kootenay fended off any comeback attempt, while Davis tallied an empty-net effort.
“I thought it was a character win for the boys,” said McGovern. “Obviously, when you score seven goals, you should win, but we faced a little adversity in the second when they got two quick ones and I think they went into the third with the momentum, so I think we did a really good job of shutting them down and really taking over the third.”
Kootenay is currently in a playoff spot, sitting in third place in the Central Division and are three points behind the ‘Canes.
NOTES: The Ice recalled defenceman Nolan Orzeck from Calgary Northstars Midget AAA squad out of the AMHL and wasted no time getting him into the lineup, pairing him up with Zachary Patrick.
