DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: September 28, 2019 Winnipeg ICE 2-1-0-0 @ Prince Albert Raiders 2-0-1-0 7:00 PM (MDT)
The second Saturday night match up in the WHL season see the Winnipeg ICE continue their Saskatchewan trip and travel to Prince Albert, the defending WHL Champions. Both of these teams are off to very similar starts to their young season. Winnipeg split their first two games with the Brandon Wheat Kings, picking up their win on the road. The Raiders did Exactly the same thing as Winnipeg but they were playing the Saskatoon Blades.
Then, last night the ICE won a high-scoring affair 7-6 in Saskatoon, while the Raiders went to Regina and scored five unanswered to win 5-2 over the Pats.
Both teams are missing some of there best players from a year ago. Winnipeg is currently without their captain Peyton Krebs. Krebs, a Vegas Golden Knights first round draft pick from this past year’s entry draft, is still with the Knights as he recovers from an injury. Krebs posted 68 points in 64 games last season with the Ice. While the defending champion Raiders graduated a number of players to the pro ranks.
Without their captain, Winnipeg will look to their import, rookie forwards to continue their recent run. Michal Teply, a 2019, first round import draft selection from the Czech Republic had three points on Friday and now six points in tthree games, including his first career WHL Goal. Teply was not only drafted in the WHL this past off-season he was also selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round of this past years NHL draft. Fellow import, Nino Kinder, out of Germany, had a hat-trick Friday and four points.
This year’s Raiders team is very young, with as many as 11 rookies currently on their roster. With so many key players graduating from their WHL championship roster, Prince Albert will turn to Montreal Canadiens prospect, forward Cole Fonstad to lead the young team. Fonstad who is in his fourth full season, had 73 points, including 29 goals last season with the Raiders.
Helping Fonstad up front is second year import centre Aliaksei Protas. The Washington Capitals third round draft choice from this past summer’s entry draft, is looking to pick up from last year. Scoring 40 points in the regular season, Protas had a great playoff run with the Raiders. He collected 12 goals and 22 points, helping the Raiders win their first WHL Championship since 1985. With such a young roster, the Raiders recently made a trade with the Vancouver Giants to acquire a little more veteran leadership. Prince Albert acquired 1999- born winger, Brayden Watts from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a fifth-round pick in
the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. Watts had two goals and an assist in his first game with P.A. The Raiders have dominated the recent match-ups with the Ice, winning six out of eight meetings.
Expected in goal:
• Dean McNabb (Winnipeg) – McNabb was recently acquired from the Regina Pats in
exchange for a 2021 seventh round draft pick. Acquired just prior to the regular season
McNabb played 28 games for the Pats, posting a record of 8-16-0-1.
• Boston Bilous (Prince Albert)-Bilous was one of four goalies the Raiders used last season.
Appearing in nine games with Prince Albert last season, Bilous won five games. Bilous has
yet to loose in regulation with the Raiders.
Also in action:
Brandon Wheat Kings @Moose Jaw Warriors 7pm MDT
–Bailey Brkin could get the net again versus the Wheat Kings after shutting them out in Brandon on Friday in a 5-0 Warriors win. Brandon gets Ben McCartney back from his suspension.
Calgary Hitmen @Red Deer Rebels 7pm MDT
–James Malm came back to the lineup with a big three point night. He looks to keep it going against Ethan Anders and the Rebels.
Swift Current Broncos @Medicine Hat Tigers 7:30pm MDT
–Isaac Poulter kept the Broncos close on Friday at home, despite his team being out shot 47-25. It was Mads Sogaard with the shutout though in a 2-0 Tigers win. The two could very well continue their duel in Medicine Hat.
Vancouver Giants @Kamloops Blazers 7pm PDT
-The newest Blazer Ryan Hughes had a big night Friday in his debut with the OT winner and three points. He will now take on the Giants and Bowen Byram.
Tri-City Americans @Spokane Chiefs 7:05pm PDT
-The rivalry starts a new season. Sasha Mutala has six points in three games for the Americans.
Prince George Cougars @Victoria Royals 7:05pm PDT
-Rookie import Keanu Derungs provided the difference maker on Friday. Now the Royals look for the sweep of the weekend series at home.
Everett Silvertips @Kelowna Rockets 7:05pm PDT
-A night after Hughes and Kamloops won in the Okanagan, Bryce Kindopp and the Silvertips will try and do the same. Kindopp has six points in two games.
