Photo credit - Zachary Peters

Offence heats up as ICE win

It was a busy few days for the Winnipeg ICE. On Thursday, they made their way to Moose Jaw for a Friday evening game against the Warriors. They dropped that game 3-2. They quickly made the trip back to Manitoba’s capital as they were set to play host to the Regina Pats on Saturday night.

In their game against Regina, it wasn’t the team’s best defensive performance, but their offense was wonderful as they lit up the scoreboard.

The ICE ended up splitting their weekend set against two different Saskatchewan teams, beating the Pats 5-4 inside of the Wayne Fleming Arena. It was also Winnipeg’s fourth game in five days.

“I think us veterans have to lead by example, and I believe I did that against Regina,” said Isaac Johnson after the game, courtesy of winnipegice.ca.

It didn’t take long for the home crowd to get excited, either. Just 54 seconds in, Nolan Orzeck set up Isaac Johnson who scored his fifth goal of the season to give Winnipeg a 1-0 lead.

On a power play a short time later, the Pats responded. Ty Kolle scored his sixth goal of the year with Austin Pratt and Zach Wytinck getting the assists.

Tied up at one, the Isaac Johnson show continued. He put Winnipeg ahead 2-1 at the 11:29 mark with his second goal of the game.

Up 2-1 after 20, it was Regina’s turn to score a pair of goals in a frame. It started with Carter Massier who beat Dean McNabb to knot the game at 2. Drew Englot made it 3-2 for Regina at the 9:12 mark.

Before the period was over, Winnipeg got back on the board. This time it was Michael Milne who scored his fourth goal of the season with Benjamin Zloty and Michal Teply getting the assists.

With the contest tied at three after 40, the ICE regained a one-goal lead. CHL Import Draft star Nino Kinder scored his seventh goal of the young campaign. Isaac Johnson drew the primary assist while Zloty got the second on the power-play marker.

The goal at the 6:30 mark was followed by another a very short time later. Playing 5-on-5 hockey, Michael Milne scored his fifth goal of the season and second of the game at the 8:08 mark. Cole Muir had the assist on the game-winning goal.

Carter Massier scored his second goal of the evening just more than two minutes later, but that was it.

(Photo credit – Zachary Peters) Dean McNabb made 30 saves in the win.

Dean McNabb closed the door, and Winnipeg skated off with two points in front of the 1,529 fans in attendance.

“Regina battled hard and they came back, but we held them off and we got the two points we needed,” continued Johnson.

Winnipeg will now play seven straight games on the road.

“We’ve been playing pretty well on the road, so we just need to continue that going forward,” he concluded.

The ICE are back on the ice on Monday afternoon when they challenge the Brandon Wheat Kings at Westoba Place.

ICINGS:

  • Isaac Johnson was named the WHL First Star of the night.
  • Dean McNabb was solid, making 30 saves in the game.
  • Winnipeg improved their record to 10-7-1. Regina, meanwhile, is 2-12-2.