It's always great to get the team on the road for the first time each season. The Winnipeg ICE found themselves on the road to Brandon on Saturday afternoon, in preparation for a Saturday night date in Shoal Lake to face Yellowhead, followed by a Sunday afternoon battle in Hartney against Westman. This road trip has not been kind to the ICE lately, as the team went winless in 4 games in two trips West last season. However, the ICE were confident they could change that on Saturday, as an excited team boarded the bus and had a great pasta meal at BPs in Brandon before checking in the hotel.
Saturday night's game started slow for the ICE, as the hometown Chiefs pressed for the early goal. The ICE held the Chiefs off the board in the first period, but they weren't happy with their performance through 20 minutes. The Chiefs did manage to score in the second period, getting a powerplay goal against a very tough ICE PK unit to take a 1-0 lead. This goal seemed to spark the ICE, who were now looking for the equalizer. Finally, with just over a minute left, Meara Grant scored on a 2 on 1 with Carley Jewell to tie the game. The ICE saved their best period for last, as they pushed to win on the road for the first time this season. Kelli Rowswell scored the go ahead goal (assited by linemates Jessi Campbell and Kelsey McHolm) and then, in one of the nicest goals scored all season long, Jessi Campbell scored on a one-timer off of a tic-tac-toe play from Kelsey McHolm who spun and feathered a no-look pass towards Campbell in the slot. The ICE managed to hold on to the 3-1 lead, largely thanks to 30 saves by Kathleen Kosior. What a start to the road trip! The team was greeted to fresh fruit smoothies in the lobby after the game, supplied by our food services department, then off for a lively bus ride back to Brandon for a team dinner at the hotel.
Sunday started with a team breakfast at Smitty's then some team activities outside before checking out and boarding the bus to Hartney. For a variety of reasons, Hartney is one of the most difficult places to play, and this day would be no different. Before the game, the coaching staff had line-up changes to ponder, as two players were not able to play after being injured in the 3-1 win the night before. Ashley Kubic and Alexis Manningway were not in the line-up on Sunday. To make a long story short, it was a difficult game to be a part of, as 17 penalties were called, the ICE lost another player due to injury (Maddy), and despite coming back to tie the game at 2 after falling behind 2-0 in the second, the ICE eventually lost the battle against the home team, eventually falling 4-2. Michelle Kerdes was very good in net, stopping 29 of the 33 shots she faced.
Other than the injuries, and some of the things that happened in Sunday's game, it was a great weekend for the team. There were lots of laughs, some very good hockey, and despite already being a very close-knit group...the weekend brought the team even closer. While the entire team played quite well this weekend, a special shout-out goes to #4 Kelsey McHolm, whose 4 points earned her Player of the Week honours from the MFMHL. Congrats Kels! Great weekend, girls!
Injury Report: Maddy Neapew is on the mend after crashing into the boards hurting her shoulder, she is hoping to return very soon. Alexis Manningway will return to the line-up on Saturday after she was cleared to play earlier this week. Ashley Kubic will be out of the ICE line-up until later next week at the earliest.
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