THE FINAL POST

With the awards handed out, and with the uncertainty that summer always brings...especially this time around, the Winnipeg ICE season is officially complete.

We are forever in debt to the players for playing their hearts our for us. The dedication that the players showed to this team, and to each other, is matched only by their dedication to the game of hockey itself. Loyalty, integrity, and respect should be a part of every hockey program - our players certainly exhibited all those qualities all year long. Only the people who are close to this team could possibly understand how important the players are to each other and how important this team really is to us all. Kudos girls, you made us proud every day. We will never forget our time spent together!

This will be the final post.

ICE break two streaks, as playoffs loom...

After struggling through much of late January and early February, the ICE found themselves in a familiar place...Hartney. Possibly the toughest place to play for the Winnipeg ICE in the past two seasons, Hartney was the location for the second last game of the year for the ICE. Two streaks were active that day, both favouring the Westman Wildcats. The first streak, was the ICE's current 5 game losing streak, which included very close losses to the Avros, PV, Yellowhead, and 2 to Central Plains. The other streak was an impressive 8 league game wins in a row for the Wildcats.

The ICE players spoke of patience and team play as keys to the game before the puck was dropped. The ICE came out with nothing to lose and had a few early chances, before Kelsey McHolm scored on the PP less than 5 minutes into the game. The Wildcats answered back 4 minutes later on a PP of their own, but the ICE kept pressing. A very close first period ended 1-1, with the shots 10-8 for the ICE. The second period was close checking again, and both teams made attempts to take over the game. Back and forth it went, until Kelli Rowswell scored 7 minutes into the second period, followed by Renee Stevenson's quick goal right off of a face-off making it 3-1 for the ICE. The Wildcats narrowed the gap to 3-2 on another PP just before the period ended. A confident Winnipeg ICE team looked to continue their strong play for the final period. Team defense was on the menu for the third, as Westman pressed for the equalizer. Despite outshooting the ICE 17-4 in the third period, Kathleen Kosior stopped all of the shots she faced to seal the victory for the ICE. Rielle Chwartacki scored into an empty net with 10 seconds left, as the ICE escaped Hartney with a 4-2 win over the Wildcats. Kosior was excellent in net, stopping 31 of the 33 shots she faced.

It was a great team win for the ICE, as each player played one of their best games of the season.

In the final game of the year, the ICE didn't show the same commitment to team play and ended up losing 9-1 to PV. A very tough way to close out the regular season, BUT the standings have now been erased, nothing left except playoffs!!!!!!

The Winnipeg Avros came into Dakota CC on Saturday night looking to sweep the season series against the ICE. After a heart-breaking defeat to the Avros last time they played, the ICE were looking to build on the (near) result and seal the deal this time.

It was a close game all the way through, as both teams had chances to open the scoring. The Avros took a 1-0 lead into the third period, after some sustained pressure in the second. The ICE were confident that the third period would be their best and that the game was not out of reach. The players focused on patience and composure as the teams started the final frame.

The game went back and forth for most of the third period, but the Avros managed to score a powerplay goal to take a 2-0 lead. That goal seemed to deflate the ICE and basically prevented any real threat of a comeback on this night. The Avros added one more before the buzzer, to win 3-0 and sweep the season series.

For a second time in the season series, special teams were an issue for the ICE. The ICE failed to score on all 5 powerplay chances, while the Avros were 1 for 3. Kathleen Kosior was very good in net for the ICE, stopping 41 of the 44 shots she faced.

Up next for the ICE, a very busy weekend with a road game in Swan Lake on Friday againast the league's top team, followed by a home and home series against Central Plains on Saturday (at Dakota) and Sunday afternoon (in Portage).

ICE stand tall against top teams....

The Winnipeg ICE played some of the nation's top teams on the weekend, at the Titans Winter Invitational Tournament at the MTS Iceplex. Ultimately finishing 5th out of 10 teams after the preliminary round, the ICE fell in the quarterfinals to the eventual Bronze Medal winning team.

Game 1: Winnipeg ICE vs Regina Rebels

Much had been said about this dangerous team from Regina, sporting a 17 wins and 2 losses record in their tough Saskatchewan AAA league. The ICE were asked to focus on playing their game and ingorning the hype surrounding the opposing team. Fresh off a 2-week break from league games, the ICE had worked on some systems adjustments that were about to be given a true test against the Rebels.

The ICE battled all game long and were able to keep the game at 1-1 through two periods, before shutting down the Rebels completely, and scoring 3 times, stunnig the high flying team from Regina 4-1. Kathleen Kosior was sensational in net and Kelsey McHolm (2 goals), Jessi Campbell, and Meara Grant (empty net) all scored for the ICE. It was perhaps the most exciting and certainly the most complete team game the ICE have played all year long. Way to go girls!

Game 2: Winnipeg ICE vs Yellowhead Chiefs

Two very similar teams who seem to play each other very tough met in the evening game on Friday. With the teams already having split the first four games played against one another (2 wins, 2 losses each), it was bound to be a very tight checking and close game. The ICE couldn't repeat their nearly flawless game from earlier in the day, but they stood tall and battled the Chiefs all night long. The Chiefs opened the scoring in the second period. The ICE stayed patient and pushed back, ultimately tying the game in the third period. Fittingly, the game ended 1-1, leaving the ICE undefeated on the opening day of the tournament. Michelle Kerdes was excellent in net, and Kayla Hosegood made a 'potentially' game-saving diving block on a 2 on 1 late in the game.

Game 3: Winnipeg ICE vs Shaftesbury Titans

The hosts came out very strong opening up a 3-0 lead on the ICE early in the first period, A very skillied Titans team seemed to make the ICE pay for every single mistake. The Titans continued to strentch their lead through the entire 50 minute game, ultimately winning a lop-sided affair. Despite outshooting the Titans, the ICE couldn't find the back of the net and had no answer for the potent offense of the hosts.

Game 4: Winnipeg ICE vs Balmoral Hall Blazers

Despite a disappointing loss to the host team, the ICE finished the preliminary round in 5th place, which is a feat in itself given the competition. The next opponent was another Prep team, this time from BH. The game plan focused on shutting down their top forward and find ways to get to pucks to the net. Disaster struck in the 1st period however, as BH scored on a deflection off a body on the first shift of the game. The ICE tried to push back, but got too aggressive on the powerplay, giving up a 2 on 1 short-handed chance, which was buried by their top player. The ICE had to play catch-up for the rest of the game, and had some great chances to score and get right back in the game. Despite shutting down their top line the rest of the way, the ICE couldn't score and eventually fell 3-0 to the Blazers. Michelle Kerdes played a great game in net, making the save of the year so far in the late stages of the game.

It would have been great to have made the semifinals (or final) in this tournament, but the ICE are taking the necessary steps to be successful. With all the tournaments out of the way, the ICE can focus on their biggest task of all. It's time to gear up for the playoffs. Will they be ready....only the players have that answer.