Photo credit - Zachary Peters

Ginnell scores two as ICE thrash Blades

“Domination”. That’s the one word that can be used to classify how the Winnipeg ICE played on Sunday night as they once again hosted the Saskatoon Blades inside of the Wayne Fleming Arena.

After a solid 60 minute effort on Saturday night in a win against Saskatoon, the ICE came out and completely dominated the Blades on Sunday night in a 7-2 win.

On Saturday night, it was the Carson Lambos show as the rookie had an outstanding performance to help the ICE beat the Blades.

On Sunday night, it was the Brad Ginnell show in front of a raucous crowd on the University of Manitoba campus. It’s also not everyday that you see a 15-year-old get a point in the Western Hockey League, but that happened as well and I have a feeling there is a lot more on the way.

“I thought we had four lines going and I liked everyone,” said James Patrick, head coach after the game courtesy of winnipegice.ca. “I think it also starts with Jesse in net. He gives us a boost and he makes saves when he needs to.”

Chase Hartje (photo-Zachary Peters)

“Our players were able to beat guys off the wall and we spent a lot of time in their zone, which was our best defence in the end,” Patrick continued.

On a night where they had 45 shots, Winnipeg opened things with 22 of them in the first 20 minutes alone. Just 4:36 into the game, Brad Ginnell scored his third goal of the season. Matthew Savoie picked up his first WHL point with the primary assist while Owen Pederson got the secondary assist.

Now it was Winnipeg’s turn to capitalize with the extra man. On the power play at the 12:35 mark, Ginnell’s magic stick did it again. He beat Koen MacInnes for his fourth of the season with Michal Teply and Connor McClennon getting the assists.

Already up 2-0, the ICE kept it coming in front of a great crowd. Reece Harsch set up Jakin Smallwood who beat Koen to make it 3-0 for Winnipeg at the 14:15 mark.

2:01 later, it was the newest ICE member that made it happen. Recently picked up from the Prince George Cougars, Jackson Leppard did what he was picked up to do and that’s score. He tallied his second of the season as Harsch picked up another assist and Chase Hartje got the secondary one. The goal was scored on the power play, Winnipeg’s second of the game.

Jakin Smallwood (photo-Zachary Peters)

On a power play of their own not long after, Saskatoon cut into the deficit. Chase Wouters beat Jesse Makaj to trim the deficit to 4-1. Kyle Crnkovic and Nolan Kneen got the assists.

The goal came with 2:05 left in the first.

Winnipeg restored their four-goal lead just 4:36 into the midway period when Owen Pederson beat MacInnes for his third of the season.

Up 5-1 after 40 minutes, the statement continued for Winnipeg. Nino Kinder scored an unassisted goal 3:48 into the third to make it 6-1 for Winnipeg.

(Photo credit – Zachary Peters) Anson McMaster scored his first WHL goal in a huge win against Saskatoon.

That set the stage for Anson McMaster. He scored his first ever Western Hockey League goal with just less than seven minutes left. The goal that made it 7-1 Winnipeg was assisted by Chase Hartje and Jackson Leppard.

“I thought tonight went really well, a lot of guys got on the scoreboard and we played well,” said Leppard, the newest member of the ICE. “We got bodies to the net and we got some rebounds and guys were able to bury them. We played a simple game and it worked for us.”

With the game already well decided at 7-1, Saskatoon did tally a late marker. It was Swan River’s Riley McKay who scored with 28 seconds left.

The win pushes Winnipeg’s win streak to three games and they’re now 6-4-1. Saskatoon, meanwhile, drops to 7-6-0-1 and they’re just two points up on Winnipeg for second spot in the East Division.

The two teams will play again on Friday night in Saskatoon. Winnipeg will then return home for four straight. Friday’s home game opens up a short two-game home stand for Saskatoon.

ICINGS:

  • Since losing 5-2 to Medicine Hat on October 11, Winnipeg has scored 16 goals in three games.
  • They started the season with three straight losses on home ice and they gave up 15 goals in the process. Now Winnipeg has won two in a row at Wayne Fleming Arena and they’ve scored 11 goals.
  • Since a 9-3 win against Calgary on October 14, Saskatoon has lost three-in-a-row. They have allowed 14 goals during the skid and they have just four.
  • Winnipeg is now 5-0-0-1 against Saskatchewan teams this season.