Candice Ward

ICE woes continue, Kastelic makes history in Hitmen win

Back on Tuesday, the Winnipeg ICE took part in Hockey Hooky Day as they challenged the Edmonton Oil Kings. In front of more than 11,000 fans, Winnipeg for the lack of better terms was “embarrassed” as they lost 10-1 against the Central Division-leading Oil Kings.

On Thursday morning leading into the afternoon, the ICE was set to play in front of another big crowd as the Calgary Hitmen hosted their “Be Brave” game inside of the Scotiabank Saddledome. After a good video session and a good on-ice session prior to the game, the ICE was looking to respond from that loss to begin the road trip.

Kyle Olson and Brayden Peters – Photo By Candice Ward

However, that wasn’t the case. Led by Kyle Olson’s two-goal, one assist performance, the Hitmen treated their fans to a 4-1 win. Calgary won their 34th game of the season and if you didn’t already know, they’re heading to the playoffs. Currently, with 73 points, they have the same amount of points as Medicine Hat does for the third spot in the Central Division, but the Tigers have one game in hand.

“We just got pucks deep, turned their defence and we went hard in on the forecheck, it was a solid game,” said Olson after the game.

Olson also commented on playing in front of 13,172 during the special day.

“Yeah, it was really cool. It was the first time I was a part of it and it was pretty special,” he added. “It was super loud and I know everyone loved it.”

Liam Hughes was pulled after 20 minutes on Tuesday, but he was given the chance to rebound as he got the start in net. It took the Hitmen, however, just 7:04 to put a puck past Hughes as Olson netted his 12th of the season. Mark Kastelic leads the team in scoring and he doubled up the lead just more than four minutes later. Kastelic is seventh in the league with his 34 goals.

Down 2-0, Michael Milne cut the deficit in half. His 11th of the season with just more than five minutes left in the first saw the ICE trail just 2-1 going into the second.

Liam Hughes turned away eight shots in the opening frame while Brayden Peters made 15 saves.

The second period saw some wonderful goaltending as Hughes made 15 saves while Peters stopped the six he saw.

With the score still 2-1 entering the third period, the Hitmen would put it to bed. Just 51 seconds in, Carson Focht stapled his 31st of the season past Hughes to give Calgary a 3-1 lead. With 1:35 left, Olson scored his second of the contest into an empty net as the Hitmen skated off their home ice with two points in front of a great crowd.

Winnipeg has been on a downward slide as of late. They’ve lost three straight games and they’re just 5-5 in their past 10. They’re still in third place in the East Division, however, they’re only four points ahead of Saskatoon who are currently the second wild-card team.

Calgary Hitmen line up for anthem at home opener September 27th vs. Edmonton
(Photo: Candice Ward Photography)

Calgary, meanwhile, has won two straight games and they’re 7-3 in their last 10 games.

ICINGS:

  • Mark Kastelic’s goal put him in third place all-time in goals by a Hitmen player. He now has 122, passing Borys Prostenko’s 121.
  • Both team’s struggled on the man advantage. Winnipeg went 0-for-3 while Calgary went 0-for-2.
  • Brayden Peters won his 16th game. That’s tied for the fourth most of any rookie. Sebastian Cossa leads the way for Edmonton with 21 wins.