Junior hockey fans in Saskatoon and area got a chance to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to the Winnipeg ICE on Wednesday.
The top-ranked team in the C-H-L scored three times in the first period, weathered a Blades’ comeback attempt in the second frame, then tacked on three more goals in the third period to record a 6-0 whitewash of the Bridge City Bunch before 2,516 fans at SaskTel Centre. It was Winnipeg’s first visit to Saskatoon in 714 days, dating back to January 1, 2020. On that occasion, the ICE won 6-1. This time, 17-year-old goaltender Daniel Hauser stopped 28 shots for his third shutout of the season while Owen Pederson gave him all the offensive support he would need by scoring the game’s first goal 3:31 into the contest. Pederson ended up with two goals as Winnipeg scored twice in three power play chances, while out-shooting the Blades 33-28, and improved on their East Division, Eastern Conference and overall W-H-L-best record to 24-4-1. For Saskatoon, now 14-12-1 on the season, they out-shot the ICE 12-6 in the second period, but couldn’t Hauser or his goal posts. It was the fourth time in the last 31 days that the Bridge City Bunch have been held scoreless in a game and the second time by Hauser and Winnipeg. The Blue and Gold complete their pre-Christmas schedule this weekend with a home-and-home series against arch-rival Prince Albert. Friday’s contest is in P-A with the return match-up Saturday at SaskTel Centre for the Blades’ Teddy Bear Toss Night. Following is Les Lazaruk’s post-game interview with Saskatoon head coach Brennan Sonne and the game summary, courtesy the W-H-L…..
Winnipeg ICE 6 at Saskatoon Blades 0 – Status: Final
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK
Winnipeg 3 0 3 – 6
Saskatoon 0 0 0 – 0
1st Period-1, Winnipeg, Pederson 9 (Harmacy, Smallwood), 3:31. 2, Winnipeg, McClennon 21 (Bruce, Edwards), 9:47. 3, Winnipeg, Savoie 17 (Smallwood, Orzeck), 16:56 (PP). Penalties-Volotovskii Sas (interference), 10:23; Rhinehart Sas (cross checking), 15:10.
2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-McClennon Wpg (slashing), 8:29; Geekie Wpg (kneeing), 12:09.
3rd Period-4, Winnipeg, Geekie 10 (Benson), 2:09. 5, Winnipeg, Pederson 10 (Finley, Savoie), 15:06 (PP). 6, Winnipeg, Finley 9 (Zloty, Smallwood), 17:56. Penalties-Harmacy Wpg (cross checking), 11:08; Saunderson Sas (hooking), 14:28.
Shots on Goal-Winnipeg 18-6-9-33. Saskatoon 8-12-8-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Winnipeg 2 / 3; Saskatoon 0 / 3.
Goalies-Winnipeg, Hauser 11-0-1-0 (28 shots-28 saves). Saskatoon, Maier 11-10-1-0 (33 shots-27 saves).
A-2,516
Referees-Aydon Brown (85), Adam Forbes (62).
Linesmen-Ridge Brooks (161), Tanner McGregor (55).
