Four unanswered goals helped the Calgary Hitmen defeat the Kootenay ICE 5-2 Friday at Western Financial Place.
Jakob Stukel scored twice, including his third game-winner against the ICE while Kootenay forward Zak Zborosky reached the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career with a pair of first-period markers.
After a delayed start due to the ICE awards ceremony, Calgary opened the scoring 11 seconds into the game on a sharp-angled effort from forward Matteo Gennaro that snuck into the net from just inside the right post of Kootenay goaltender Wyatt Hoflin.
The ICE, however, took the lead with a pair of markers in quick succession late in the frame. Zborosky converted on a pair of opportunities from the slot, the first coming off a turnover deep in the Hitmen zone, the second on a give-and-go play with linemate Matt Alfaro.
Calgary controlled period two, outshooting their hosts 18-4 through the frame. The Hitmen tied the game at 2-2 with 9:15 remaining in the period when rookie Tristen Nielsen caught Hoflin out of position off a turnover in the Kootenay zone. It was the 15 year-old’s first WHL goal.
Stukel placed his stamp on the game with a pair of late tallies, the first coming on a centring pass from behind the net from linemate Mark Kastelic after the 16 year-old had stripped an ICE defenseman of the puck behind the Kootenay net. Stukel added a power-play goal with time winding down in the period, converting on a hard pass from blueliner Travis Sanheim at the side of the ICE net for his team-leading 35th goal of the season.
Carsen Twarynski added insurance for Calgary in the third period, scoring on a three-on-one short-handed rush after being set up by Sanheim in the slot.
Hoflin made 36 saves for the ICE in his final home game at Western Financial Place, while 18 year-old Nik Amundrud turned aside 16 shots for the Hitmen.
HADDAD FINANCIAL SERVICES 3 STARS:
1. Wyatt Hoflin, Kootenay
2. Tanner Lishchynsky, Kootenay
3. Matt Alfaro, Kootenay
UP NEXT: the ICE close out the 2015-16 season Sunday afternoon with a return engagement against the Hitmen at Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 1:00 pm.
