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Ice hold on for Game 1 triumph

The Winnipeg Ice did just enough to stave off a shocking upset to open the franchise’s biggest series since relocating to the Manitoba capital.

What started with two periods featuring stretches of pure dominance from the top-ranked Ice ended in pandemonium as the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds roared back within one goal in the game’s waning moments.

The Ice built a 3-0 lead in the first 40 minutes of the game, but that was chopped down 28 seconds into the third period thanks to a deflection from Edmonton Oilers prospect Reid Schaefer. Then, with the goalie pulled, Chicago Blackhawks blue line prospect Kevin Korchinski beat Ice goaltender Daniel Hauser with one minute and 42 seconds remaining in the game.

The visitors continued a strong push, highlighted by a chance from forward Jared Davidson, who sent a shot wide of an open cage with under 10 seconds remaining.

Ice, T-birds last teams standing

Premier talent will be on full display and the stakes will be at their highest when the Winnipeg Ice and Seattle Thunderbirds clash in the Western Hockey League championship series.

The Ice and Thunderbirds will duke it out in a best-of-seven series for junior hockey supremacy in Western Canada and the right to play in the Memorial Cup in Kamloops, B.C., later this month.

Game 1 goes Friday at 7 p.m. at Winnipeg’s downtown arena.

The venue change from Wayne Fleming Arena on the University of Manitoba campus was announced Monday after the Ice came to an agreement with True North Sports and Entertainment to play its home games during the series at the home of the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose.

Ice to play WHL final games at Canada Life Centre

Sure, the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose have already been eliminated from their respective NHL and AHL playoffs. But that doesn’t mean hockey is finished at Canada Life Centre.

The Winnipeg Ice have worked out an agreement with True North to move their upcoming Western Hockey League championship series to the downtown rink.

Game 1 is set for this Friday at 7 p.m., while Game 2 goes Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday at noon.

The Ice are four wins away from going to the Memorial Cup later this month. They will face the winner of the ongoing series between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers. Seattle led the best-of-seven 3-2 heading into Monday night’s game in British Columbia. Game 7, if necessary, would go Tuesday in Washington.

Ice punch ticket to WHL final with sweep of Blades

In the end, it’s the Winnipeg Ice who stand on top of the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference.

The top-seeded Ice staged a gritty effort on the road to earn a 3-2 victory and a 4-0 series sweep over the second-seed Saskatoon Blades in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final on Wednesday.

The triumph punched Winnipeg’s ticket to the WHL championship series for the first time since relocating to the Manitoba capital in 2019.

It was the closest game of the series and offence was at as much of a premium as were bursts of energy from the combatants, as the clubs played their fourth game in six nights.

Ice take stranglehold in series against Blades

It was as dominant a performance as the Winnipeg Ice could’ve asked for in a pivotal situation. Now the top-ranked Western Hockey League club finds itself on the brink of making team history.

The Ice rode a strong effort in the first period to a 5-1 triumph over the Saskatoon Blades in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday in Saskatchewan.

Winnipeg has a 3-0 stranglehold on the best-of-seven series and can punch its ticket to the WHL championship Wednesdsay night for the first time since the franchise relocated to the Manitoba capital in 2019. The puck drops on Game 4 in Saskatoon at 8 p.m.

Matthew Savoie led the offensive output with three points (one goal, two assists) while Zach Benson, Evan Friesen, Connor McClennon and Owen Pederson rounded out an attack that has scored four or more goals in nine of 13 contests this post-season. Winnipeg has outscored Saskatoon 14-3 thus far in the series. Goaltender Daniel Hauser enjoyed one of the quieter nights he’s seen this season, stopping 13 of 14 shots.

Experience key to Ice playoff run

What a difference a year makes.

This time last year, the Winnipeg Ice watched their season slip away as the juggernaut Edmonton Oil Kings ran away with a 4-1 series win in the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference final en route to eventually winning the junior league crown.

The Ice are in the conference final again, but this time hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Saskatoon Blades and can take a stranglehold Tuesday night on the road. Game 3 is slated for 8 p.m. (CT), with Game 4 set for Wednesday at 8 p.m. (CT).

A wealth of experience and talent has carried the team to this point, indeed. The team has also better adapted to playoff hockey by taking advantage of key moments when they happen, said head coach James Patrick.

Ice dominate in series-clinching victory over Warriors

The Winnipeg Ice were at their collective best when the stakes were highest.

The top-seeded Ice trounced the fourth-seed Moose Jaw Warriors 8-2 in a pivotal Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw, Sask., on Monday. The victory sealed the best-of-seven series 4-2 and, for a consecutive season, punched the club’s ticket to the Eastern Conference finals, where they will face the Saskatoon Blades or Red Deer Rebels.

Winnipeg’s junior club was dominant from the outset on the road, tallying eight goals and outshooting the Warriors 31-17 in the first 40 minutes of play. Connor McClennon and Conor Geekie, who has scored five times in the last two contests, led the Ice’s offensive onslaught with two goals apiece on a night six different skaters found the back of the net.

Goaltender Daniel Hauser staged yet another rock-solid performance on the back of 24 saves. Since being chased from the crease after allowing three goals on eight shots in the first period of Game 3, Hauser has allowed just six goals and stopped 80 of the 86 shots he’s faced in the last three outings.

Confident Wood’s return adds to depth of Ice

The Winnipeg Ice have preached the importance of depth during what they hope is a long run in the 2023 Western Hockey League playoffs.

The junior club’s ability to garner production from all four lines this season has been a feather in its collective cap, and its value has increased with each passing game.

Perhaps no player has embraced his role in the bottom half of the lineup more than Briley Wood. The product of Rivers in western Manitoba has fit in seamlessly since rejoining the Ice in late March.

Wood, who was traded to Winnipeg from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in August, started the season playing nine games with the Ice before a lack of ice time led him to seek an opportunity with the Neepawa Titans of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Ice own worst enemies in loss to Warriors

The Winnipeg Ice could only withstand the self-sabotage for so long.

Focus and discipline key as Ice series moves to Moose Jaw

The Winnipeg Ice hit the road Monday with a chink in their armour for the first time in the 2023 Western Hockey League playoffs.

Ice take Game 1 in WHL Eastern Conference semifinal series against Moose Jaw

The Winnipeg Ice and Moose Jaw Warriors were here a year ago, toe-to-toe in the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Ice goalie Hauser earns East Division honours

Winnipeg Ice netminder Daniel Hauser was named goaltender of the year for the Western Hockey League’s East Division on Tuesday.

Ice well rested and ready for Round 2

THE Winnipeg Ice will be a rested bunch no matter who they face Friday.

Ice down the Tigers 3-2 to complete best-of-seven series sweep

The Winnipeg Ice brought out the brooms Wednesday night to finish off the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Ice shake off rust to top Tigers

It was a historic return to home sweet home for the Winnipeg Ice.

Ice put bow on perfect homestand with victory over Broncos

The downside is they only scored five times — astonishingly a new low during this streak. On the other hand, the Winnipeg Ice downed another opponent to conclude what was as good a homestand as the club could’ve hoped for.

Ice rally to knock off Blades

Momentum is a funny and powerful phenomenon. Once the Winnipeg Ice captured it, they refused to let go.

Ice solid from top to bottom

At first glance, the Winnipeg Ice are a solid hockey team. Look a little closer, however, and you’d be hard pressed to find any weaknesses in the lineup.