Raiders Get Past ICE Tuesday

A three-point night from Josh Morrissey, and 29-save performance from goaltender Nick McBridge helped the Prince Albert Raiders to a 5-0 victory over the Kootenay ICE in Cranbrook Tuesday.

Morrissey finished with a goal and two assists, while Tim Vanstone's first period tally stood up as the game-winner as the Raiders posted their second win over the ICE this season.

After played ten of its first 14 games away from home, Kootenay opened a six-game homestand Tuesday, but fell behind with a minute and a half remaining in the first period on Vanstone's first goal of the year.

The ICE were outshot 12-4 in the opening frame but recovered in period two, coming closest to an equalizer midway through the stanza on a chance for Luke Philp from close range that screamed past McBride's left post.

Prince Albert doubled its lead on a two-man advantage at 16:43 of the second period as forward Craig Leverton batted a puck out of mid-air from just outside the crease, beating Kootenay netminder Wyatt Hoflin.

Morrissey assisted on Leverton's goal, and did so again 13:23 into the third period as he juked around an ICE defender at the blueline and fed a hard pass to Jayden Hart in the low slot. Hart outwaited Hoflin and deposited his sixth goal of the season to give the Raiders a 3-0 lead.

Prince Albert added two late markers, first a long-range empty-netter from Morrissey before Dylan Stewart rounded out the scoring with 36 seconds left.

Hoflin made 41 saves in goal for Kootenay.

HADDAD FINANCIAL SERVICES 3 STARS:
1. Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert
2. Nick McBride, Prince Albert
3. Rinat Valiev, Kootenay

UP NEXT: the ICE continue the current homestand Friday against the Red Deer Rebels. Please note Friday's game has a special start time of 8:00 pm.