The Winnipeg ICE are heating up like Winnipeg’s weather right now: unexpected, but incredibly welcome. They’ve begun their battle in the bubble with a great start, going 5-1-0 through the first quarter of the season.
At this point, they’ve built a solid platform for a run in the East Division, but there’s a lot of hockey left before the season ends.
So Far
The ICE have faced each team once and won all their games apart from the season opener, a close 3-2 loss to Brandon. They’ve been ready to go since that first puck drop, looking like the only thing they forgot about over the break is how to take an off-shift.
Winnipeg ICE play-by-play voice Mitch Peacock believes the veteran core for their work in making the team a real “team.” Peacock, who’s living in an Airbnb in Regina right now, has talked with a number of players and coaches who’ve talked about the work leaders like Peyton Krebs and Connor McClennon are putting in to make the new guys a part of the group. Once that was finished, the leadership core began helping their new teammates learn about what’s expected of WHL players, getting them to take ownership and responsibility the logo on their chest represents.
It’s still the vets like McClennon (10 points) and Krebs (nine) atop the team scoring chart, but the kids are chipping in big time. Chase Bertholet and Conor Geekie both cashed in their first WHL goals and are playing important roles on the team (though it would be nice to see both of them shoot more.) Both of them, though, are not the rookie turning heads because Zachary Benson has arrived and put the WHL on notice. At only 15 years old, the Chilliwack local is already a point-per-game player with three goals and three assists.
Peacock singled the ICE’s 2020 first-round draft pick out as one of the most impressive players he’s seen so far. However, he made sure to note that Winnipeg’s record is the result of total team buy-in.
“I think there’s quality in the experience and quality in the newcomers, and when they’ve faced adversity, they’ve been able to handle it,” said Peacock.
“I’ve seen a very tight-knit team.”
About That Adversity
It’s easy to see the injury bug is the biggest bit of adversity Winnipeg’s weathering this season.
It started before entering the bubble with Michael Milne’s upper-body injury during offseason training. It continued on with star defenseman Carson Lambos leaving the hub with an unspecified condition. After that, 20-year-old Anderson Macdonald went down with a nasty-looking injury just three games into his WHL career. Three big pieces of the team, gone before the first three games.
However, injuries happen every year. The schedule won’t stop for the ICE to get their players back. Everyone knows the cliché “next man up” – the ICE are living and breathing that cliché.
It’s been a total team effort – every player has dressed in at least one game, with most suiting up for multiple matches. Guys like Rhys Raeside being able to step into the lineup right away and play meaningful minutes is huge, especially when you can’t just call guys up for a game.
“You need everybody to win and [the ICE] have been able to get everybody,” Peacock said.
Off the ICE
Six weeks in a bubble is hardly the worst place to be nowadays, but it’s also not ideal. The ICE hasn’t let it get them down and are making the best of their reality.
The players said they’re getting used to the daily routine and feel they’re adjusting well. With all the extra time they have together they’re bonding as a group, something they’re all grateful for this season. They know everyone’s in the bubble together because of their hard work and determination.
“They all have made sacrifices, but they know if they do they get the chance to do what they love the most – compete on the ice,” said Peacock.
What’s Next
By the time this article goes out, the ICE will already have completed game seven on their schedule, a rematch with their archrivals, the Wheat Kings. (NOTE: The ICE once again fell to the Wheat Kings in a close game, losing 4-3.) There isn’t a lot of time until the end of the season. The hockey has been great so far, and it should only get more intense from here.
“It’s been really impressive, to be honest,” said Peacock.
There’s been no word about a WHL postseason this year, but there is hardware up for grabs. The Subway Cup awaits the winner of the bubble season. Working just like Premier League Football, the best record takes home the glory.
It’s not the Ed Chynoweth Cup, but a champion’s a champion, and the team is already keeping an eye on the standings. At writing time, the ICE are second in the East, three points back of the Saskatoon Blades.
The Subway Cup is in the Winnipeg ICE’s grasp thanks to a spectacular start to the season. There’s no time for the team to rest if they want to take the cup back to Winnipeg. Building on this early momentum is key for the Winnipeg ICE to leave the bubble as champions.
