The Winnipeg ICE spent September 27th-29th in Portage La Prairie, as the Central Plains Capitals hosted all MFMHL teams in a pre-season showcase tournament. While the overall record was did not end up meeting the coaching staff's goal, the 4 games played showed the distinct progress made by this team in the early weeks of this season.
Here's a quick recap of the games:
Friday: Central Plains Capitals 6 Winnipeg ICE 1. The ICE fell behind early in this game and could never recover. The Capitals pressed hard all game and the ICE couldn't match the host's intensity or effort. Certainly not the way the coaches envisioned the opening game, but the players vowed to be better on Saturday...and they were.
Highlights: Meara Grant scored the lone goal on a dump-in that found it's way into the back of the net, she also led the team in shots on goal with 3. The line of Maddy Neapew, Alexis Manningway, and Kelsey McHolm led the team in +/- with a even rating. Kathleen Kosior came in halfway through through the game and stopped 11 of the 12 shots she faced.
Saturday: Winnipeg ICE 7 Eastman Selects 2. The ICE scored early and often, racing out to a 5-0 lead after the 1st period. The players did exactly what they promised (after the disappointing game a day earlier) by sticking to the game plan, getting pucks to the net, and staying committed to hard work. The final 2 periods went back and forth, as the Selects found their game and pushed the ICE for the final 40 minutes. It was a great team win, as the players each stepped up and made up for their effort on Friday.
Highlights: Leah Hibbert led the way offensively with 1 goal and 2 assists, while Kelsey McHolm and Bryn Schmidt each had 1 goal and 1 assist. Maddy Neapew led the team in +/- with a +3 rating. Kathleen Kosior earned the win, recording a .923 save percentage (stopped 24 of 26 shots).
Sunday AM: Pembina Valley Hawks 4 Winnipeg ICE 2. In a tightly contested game, the ICE battled the reigning league champions for the full 60 minutes, but ended up falling short. This was a very well played game, as the players stuck to the team game and battled all game long. The only real downfall for the ICE was the scrambling in their own end at times. With the score 2-2 going into the third period, the players vowed to play a solid third period and felt confident they could finally knock off the Hawks. The players pretty much lived up to their expectations for effort, but they could not keep a skilled Hawks team from finding a way to score twice in the 3rd to win 4-2. Oddly enough, the 3rd period was considered one the better periods in the game, as the ICE really only made a couple mistakes...which ended up in the back of the net. It was good game and it really show how close this team could be to sticking with the big teams in this league.
Highlights: Kelsey McHolm and Kelli Rowswell each scored for the ICE, while Carley Jewell added 2 assists and Maddy Neapew had 1 assist. McHolm also shared the team lead in shots on goal with Jessi Campbell with 6 shots. Michelle Kerdes played a very good game in net, ending up with an .871 save percentage.
Between games the players had a great meal prepared by the Winnipeg ICE Food Services Dept. and then shared some thoughts about how the weekend was going. All the players took turns praising their linemates, or D partners/Goalie partners, followed by a brief chat about what each line/pairing must do to improve their game. There wasn't much time to spare, but the team made the best of that time and became even closer as a team.
Sunday PM: Westman Wildcats 3 Winnipeg ICE 2. They saved the best for last...as this game had a playoff feel...despite only being the preseason. With the memory of the Wildcats ending their season still fresh in their minds, the returning players on the ICE were a little extra motivated for this one. As always when these two teams play, it was a very physical, yet fast-paced game. The first period ended scoreless, as both teams were trying to get familiar with one another. The ICE opened the scoring in the second period on a PP, only to see the Wildcats tie it up 2 minutes later. However, the ICE responded with a quick goal of their own and took a 2-1 lead into the 3rd period. The ICE players were focused during intermission, sensing that they needed to play their best period of the weekend to achieve the '2 wins and 2 losses goal' set out by the team before the weekend began. The third period continued to be physical and the ICE tried to hold the Wildcats off the board. With just over 11 minutes left, the Wildcats powerful powerplay scored to tie the game at 2. The ICE did not back down and pushed back, trying desperately to take the lead once again. The Wildcats eventually found a way to go ahead 3-2 with 7 minutes remaining and the ICE could not counter. A disappointing way to end the weekend, but another sign that this team is making huge strides. On a day where the ICE played two of the top teams in the league, only 2 hours apart, they had the lead, and a good opportunity to win, in both games. Things are looking up...keep watching and you'll see.
Highlights: Meara Grant and Kelli Rowswell scored for the ICE, while Jessi Campbell, Nicole Adamyk, and Ashley Kubic all had assists. Rowswell also led the team in shots on goal with 6 shots. Kathleen Kosior was solid in net stopping 27 of the 30 shots she faced, recording a save percentage of .900.
All in all it was a positive weekend for the ICE. A 1-3 record is nothing to write home about, but with a few bounces here or there, the record this weekend could have been 3-1. What's important now is to begin to see this team learn how to win those close games with the top teams. Once the ICE gets a taste for winning, we can expect that they will not want to let it get away very easily. Stay tuned for the entire 2013-2014 MFMHL season, I truly believe we are all in for a wild ride...and it all starts on Saturday October 5th at HOME against...you guessed it...those Wildcats from Westman. Bring it on...
~Coach
