Scoring hasn’t been an issue for the Winnipeg ICE at times this season and it wasn’t one on Wednesday night inside of Wayne Fleming Arena.
The newly relocated franchise welcomed the Red Deer Rebels to town for some mid-week hockey as the Rebels rolled through Manitoba. One night prior, the Rebels were downed by the Brandon Wheat Kings.
On Wednesday night, the Rebels once again were downed, this time by a 5-3 scoreline as the ICE won for the third time in their last four games.
“I didn’t like how we let them hang in there late, but the boys came through with a big game, it was great to see,” said Brad Ginnell after the game courtesy of winnipegice.ca. “We funnelled everything to the net and it worked for us.”
It took the ICE just 3:51 to score and it was their 2019 CHL Import picks that made it happen. Nino Kinder scored his sixth of the season and Michal Teply earned the lone assist.
On the power play, Winnipeg increased their lead. With just one second left in the first, Brad Ginnell scored his sixth goal of the season. Michal Teply and Nino Kinder picked up the assists. After 20, Winnipeg was up 2-0 and Kinder and Teply both had two points.
The ICE also held a 17-8 shot clock lead after 20.
The Rebels came out firing in the second and they trimmed the deficit in half. Ethan Sakowich notched his fourth of the campaign at the 1:02 mark. The power play goal was assisted by Christoffer Sedoff and Cameron Hausinger.
13:44 into the second, Mike Ladyman provided a feel-good moment. He scored his first-ever Western Hockey League goal to put Winnipeg up 3-1. Owen Pederson had the assist.
Winnipeg once again outshot Red Deer in the second, this time 16-9 as they led 3-1 after 40.
“We played a really good 40 minutes and we were happy with it,” added James Patrick.
Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Rebels came out hard in the third and they tied the contest up.
Brett Davis trimmed the deficit to 3-2 at the 1:14 mark. Just 1:01 later, Jaxsen Wiebe beat Dean McNabb to tie the game up. Dawson Barteaux had the lone assist.
In the end, the slow start ended up being just that and no more for the home team as Winnipeg bounced back. Michal Teply finished off a great night by scoring the game-winning marker at the 11:31 mark. Nino Kinder picked up another assist and Connor McClennon got his first assist on the night.
“Yeah, that was a huge goal from Teply. We did a lot of good things in the game, we created a lot of chances,” said James Patrick.
With one second left in the first, he scored to make it 2-0 for Winnipeg and Brad Ginnell scored again to make it 5-3 for Winnipeg. His seventh goal of the season was scored at the 12:35 mark. Isaac Johnson and Jackson Leppard earned the assists.
Red Deer pushed, but they couldn’t muster any more offence as Winnipeg skated off with two points and Red Deer skated off with their second straight loss in Manitoba.
Winnipeg is now 9-6-1 for 19 points, one back of Saskatoon for second place in the East Division. Red Deer, meanwhile, is 5-10-0-2 and they remain four points back of a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
The ICE travel to Moose Jaw on Friday and they’re back home on Saturday against Regina.
Red Deer is in Saskatoon on Friday and Prince Albert on Saturday before they return home for four straight games.
ICINGS:
- Michal Teply and Nino Kinder combined for two goals and four assists.
- Ethan Anders was solid in the loss for Red Deer, making 41 saves.
- Red Deer has just one win in their last 10 games.
