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.

Last 4 games show ICE moving in right direction...

Lately, the Winnipeg ICE are beginning to show signs of a dangerous hockey team. After a mediocre (at best) game against Eastman that ended in a 3-3 tie, the ICE have picked up their play considerably, and are showing countless signs of drastic improvement.

A trip to The Pas, saw the ICE win both games against a very tough Norman Wild team, who were in 2nd place in the MFMHL at the time. The ICE won 6-2 on Saturday night and 5-1 on Sunday morning, in one of the most successful trips in ICE history. Kathleen Kosior stopped 19 of the 21 shots she faced in her win on Saturday, while Michelle Kerdes stopped 27 of the 28 shots she faced in her win on Sunday. It was a great weekend for the ICE, as Renee Stevenson and Ashley Kubic were out due to injury/illness. All lines were firing and playing well, but Kelsey McHolm, Kelli Rowswell, and Jessi Campbell's line (Black Line) combined for 14 points in the two games.

After a sketchy ride home from The Pas, the ICE had no time to rest, as Monday saw the two Winnipeg AAA teams meet for the 3rd time this year. While the ICE held the lead for most of the game, an "interesting" penalty was called with just over 1 minute to play in the game with the ICE leading 3-2. While the ICE PK unit was an impressive 8/8 up until this point in the game, as very skilled Avros powerplay found a way to tie the game at 3 with 18 seconds left. Heartbroken, the ICE lost coverage on the next face-off and allowed the Avros to score again with 1 second remaining to win. A terrible way to lose, but it was a great game overall and the ICE deserved a much better fate.

Finally, in the final game before the Christmas break, the ICE faced the undefeated Pembina Valley Hawks. It was another solid effort by the ICE against a top team in this league, but they couldn't find a way to tie the game late, Hawks win 4-3.

Overall, the ICE earned a 2 and 2 record against arguably the three best teams in the league. More impressive still, is the stats from those games:

Goals for Winnipeg ICE: 17

Goals against: 11

PowerPlay: 5 for 19 = 26%

Penalty Kill: 21 for 22 = 95%

All signs point to the ICE hitting their stride just in time for the most important tournament of the year. The ICE travel to Calgary to compete in the amazing Mac's Midget AAA Tournament, playing some of their best hockey in two years. Finally, it seems, the players are beginning the believe what the coaches have been saying all along...this is a very special group of players....bound to taste success!

From everyone in the Winnipeg Ice family, we wish you all a very happy holiday. Please celebrate the holidays safely, we'll see you in Calgary on Boxing Day!!!

Special Teams Nightmare vs. Avros...

A rematch against their closest rivals couldn't even spark the ICE to play their best game of the year on Saturday. While the first period went back and forth for the most part, a sloppy special teams performance by the ICE allowed the Avros to lead 2-1 after 20 minutes. A shorthanded goal and a PP goal (against a usually very stingy ICE PK) accounted for both Avros goals. The second period was controlled mostly by the Avros, who managed to stretch the lead to 3-1 by the end of the frame. The ICE stayed strong and battled, even narrowing the lead to 3-2 with a shorthanded goal of their own early in the third period. The tide could have turned here and the ICE were right back into it. But another Avros PP goal sealed the deal for the Avros, who added 1 more with 7 seconds to play, ending the very frustrating game on a sour note.

Some highlights were Kelsey McHolm's shorthanded goal and Kelli Rowswell's team leading 8th regular season goal, assisted by Taylor Webb. Kathleen Kosior stopped 26 of the 31 shots she faced.

As mentioned above, the special teams were the difference today, as the ICE allowed not 1 but 2 shorthanded goals, in addition to allowing two powerplay goals against for the first time this season. Key injuries were a factor, as Madison Neapew and Ashley Kubic were both sidelined with injuries and both play a huge role on special teams. It was back to the drawing board at practice on Sunday as the PP received a major overhaul.

We'll get 'em next time, girls.

Positive signs everywhere on road trip...

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.