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Kootenay collects more points in playoff push

Ice lose 3-2 overtime decision in Moose Jaw before beating the Pats 3-1 in Regina.

The Ice continued their march towards a playoff spot over the weekend, earning a point in an overtime loss to Moose Jaw and picking up a win against Regina in a quick two-game jaunt to Saskatchewan.

The trio of points collected by the team puts them within three of drawing even with the Saskatoon Blades in eighth place.

Sam Reinhart broke a 1-1 tie in the second period on the powerplay and Levi Cable added an empty netter to defeat the Pats 3-1 in Regina on Saturday.

Jon Martin opened the scoring in the first period, before Lane Scheidl answered for Regina to draw the game even after 20 minutes.

Mackenzie Skapski made 22 saves in net for the Ice, while Matt Hewitt turned away 35 shots for Regina.

Reinhart’s goal was the only marker in six opportunities with the man-advantage, while the Pats were shut out in all five of their chances.

“I think we had a good team effort,” said Ice assistant coach Chad Kletzel. “We came out and had a very good first period and maintained a lot of those good habits that we had.”

Earlier, on Friday, the Ice dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the Warriors in Moose Jaw, when Sam Fioretti scored a powerplay goal with a second remaining in the extra frame.

Fioretti also forced overtime when he potted a goal early in the third period, which drew the two teams even at 2-2.

Carter Hansen put the Warriors in the lead in the second frame after a scoreless opening period.

Kootenay responded with a pair from Collin Shirley and Sam Reinhart to take the lead going into the final period.

“We didn’t start very well in that game and when you don’t start well, it’s hard to get that preparation and mental edge that you need to start a game and to play at this level,” said Kletzel.

Skapski made 28 saves, while Justin Paulic stopped 32 shots for the Warriors.

Shirley’s goal was the only reward in six chances with the man-advantage, while Fioretti’s game-winner came on a powerplay in the overtime period.

“We didn’t have a very good effort in Moose Jaw, up to our expectations,” said Kletzel. “I think we just didn’t get performances out of the guys and we got lucky because Mackenzie Skapski made some big saves in that game and kept it close.”

It was the last time that Brock Montgomery would get to play a WHL game in his hometown, as the Ice power forward is in his final year of eligibility in the league.

Forward Jaedon Descheneau had his 12-game point streak end in Regina, but Reinhart kept his alive, with a tally of 22 points in 13 games.

Kootenay heads into Alberta during the week with a midmorning game in Edmonton (11:30 a.m.) on Wednesday, before hitting up Red Deer for a meeting with the Rebels on Thursday.



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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