DUBNetwork Game of the Night: Winnipeg ICE (21-13-1-0) @ Prince Albert Raiders (20-11-3-1)
In a clash of newly minted division rivals, the Winnipeg ICE make their way to the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert as the top two teams in the East Division meet for the third time this season.
The Raiders have won the previous two meetings between the clubs, once needing overtime. The teams have yet to play in Winnipeg.
Heading into the night’s game, the Raiders hold a 10-5-2-0 record at the Art Hauser. The ICE have held their own on the road with a 9-8-1-0 record away from the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg.
Prince Albert has welcomed back their Belarusian imports, with both players putting up some big points in the two games since the holiday break. Aliaksei Protas leads the Raiders in scoring despite missing some games in December. He now has 47 points in 29 games, good for fifth in the WHL.
Kaden Guhle continues to lead the way for the Raiders from the back end. The NHL draft eligible defenseman has 22 points in 35 games.
The ICE counter with three 30 point getters, led by Connor McClennon. His 16 goals and 20 assists are good for 23rd in WHL scoring. Isaac Johnson is not far behind with 31 points in 35 games.
Winnipeg is without the services of Michal Teply as he is at the IIHF World Junior Championships. Teply has 30 points in 29 games for the ICE.
It is expected that Liam Hughes will get the start for the ICE. Since being picked up by the team, he has won six of his eight games. Hughes has a 2.46 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.
For the Raiders, Boston Bilous is the likely starter. He has played in 28 of the Raiders 35 games and is 15-7-3-1. Bilous sports a 2.56 goals against average and a .892 save percentage.
The teams are neck and neck when it comes to the power play. Prince Albert holds a slight edge (20.9%) over Winnipeg (20.3%). Killing penalties is another story altogether. The Raiders are sitting ninth at 80.6% while the ICE are dead last at 72.4%.
In other WHL action…
Regina Pats (10-18-3-1) @ Brandon Wheat Kings (15-17-1-2)
The Pats are playing their best hockey of the season. The team has points in four straight and seven of their last 10 games. They have also vaulted ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors and are just nine points back of the final playoff spot. That spot is currently occupied by the Wheat Kings, who are 4-4-0-2 in their last 10.
Lethbridge Hurricanes (22-10-0-5) @ Swift Current Broncos (7-23-1-2)
In a rematch from Saturday night, the Broncos seek revenge following a 6-0 loss to the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes want to keep pace with the division-leading Oil Kings. The team is currently six points back. Swift Current has struggled all season. They are 16 points back in the playoff race.
Edmonton Oil Kings (24-6-5-2) @ Calgary Hitmen (16-11-4-1)
The Hitmen and Oil Kings are headed in different directions. Calgary has won just three of their last 10 games while Edmonton has not lost in regulation since November 27th to the Kamloops Blazers. This includes two wins over the Hitmen. Edmonton has collected a point in all seven previous meetings this season (5-0-2-0)
Everett Silvertips (25-7-2-0) @ Red Deer Rebels (12-19-0-3)
Everett is making its biannual visit to Red Deer. The Silvertips are tied for the best points percentage in the WHL (.765), while Red Deer is 17th (.397). Everett is 4-0-0-0 against the Central Division this season. Red Deer is 0-1-0-1 against the US Division.
Victoria Royals (18-12-2-0) @ Kamloops Blazers (22-10-2-1)
The Royals are just nine points back of the Blazers but have played three fewer games. The teams have split the two previous games, each of them by a 2-1 margin. Those games were played in October. The teams have six games remaining in their season series.
Prince George Cougars (9-21-1-3) @ Kelowna Rockets (18-13-1-2)
This is the sixth matchup between the division rivals. This season has seen the Rockets dominate the Cougars, winning four of five games. The Rockets are on a three-game losing streak and are losing ground on the Kamloops Blazers, trailing by eight points with 34 games to play.
