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Ice return from final major road trip

Kootenay wins two out of three games during a trip into Saskatchewan

Two out of three isn't too bad.

The Kootenay Ice returned from their last major road trip of the season with two wins and one loss after heading into the Prairies for a trio of games in Saskatchewan.

The Ice beat the Warriors 5-1 on Wednesday, then downed the Blades 4-2 on Friday, only to lose by the same score to the Prince Albert Raiders.

Missing the scoresheet against the Raiders, Ice captain Sam Reinhart streak has ended, setting a new franchise record at 22 games with either a goal or an assist. At 15 games, he also now owns the franchise record streak for assists.

After scoring the first two goals of the game, Kootenay gave up the next four as Prince Albert completed a comeback in the second and third periods.

Zach McPhee and Levi Cable gave the Ice a 2-0 lead, but Dakota Conroy and Carson Perreaux tied it up after 40 minutes.

Leon Draitsaitl, a highly touted prospect for June's NHL draft, scored the go-ahead goal early in the final frame, and Reid Gardiner added some insurance with 3:19 remaining in the game.

Mackenzie Skapski took the loss in goal, making 23 saves, while Nick McBride picked up the win with 25 stops.

Always a low-penalized game between the two teams this season, Perreaux served the only minor infraction whistled down all game, which Kootenay failed to capitalize on.

It was a bit of a reverse situation the night before in Saskatoon, where the Blades opened the scoring with a pair of goals, before the Ice roared back by scoring four in a row to pick up the win.

Cam Hebig and Graham Millar scored two quick goals for a 2-0 lead for the Blades before Tim Bozon put Kootenay on the board by the end of the frame.

Luke Philp tallied a goal in the second period, while Landon Peel tallied the go-ahead goal in the the final frame. Landon Cross added the insurance with an empty net goal in the final 90 seconds of the game.

Wyatt Hoflin got a rare start for Kootenay, making 31 saves for the win, while Troy Trombley turned away 39 shots in defeat for Saskatoon.

Kootenay sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference as they struggle to catch Medicine Hat in fourth place. The Tigers are proving to be difficult as they continue to win, which has given them a relatively comfortable seven point lead.

The Ice will get a chance to play in front of a home crowd on Tuesday when they host the Red Deer Rebels.

 



Trevor Crawley

About the Author: Trevor Crawley

Trevor Crawley has been a reporter with the Cranbrook Townsman and Black Press in various roles since 2011.
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