ICE begin three-game homestand against Red Deer
Cranbrook, B.C. – The Kootenay ICE (2-4-1-0) begin a three-game homestand against the Red Deer Rebels (4-3-0-0) Thursday night, the first meeting between the two teams this season.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. M.T.
The ICE are coming off three-straight losses including two against Moose Jaw and Swift Current last weekend, while the Rebels won for the first time in four games, 4-1 over Everett Tuesday night.
The ICE went 2-3-1-0 against the Rebels during the 2016-17 campaign.
The ICE are led by 2001-born forward Peyton Krebs who has eight points (2G, 6A) in seven games. He’s followed by 1998-born forward Barrett Sheen with six points (2G, 4A) and 1997-born forward Colton Kroeker with five (2G, 3A).
It’s 1997-born forward Mason McCarty leading the way for the Rebels with five goals and 10 points through seven games. 1997-born forward Grayson Pawlenchuk, 1998-born forward Brandon Hagel and 1998-born forward Kristian Reichel are all second with eight points.
The ICE continue to have one of the best penalty kill units in the WHL. The ICE have killed off 27-of-31 penalties which ranks third in the league. The Rebels are 16th in the league, killing off 23-of-31 penalties.
The Rebels are ranked eighth in the WHL in power play percentage going 9-for-31 (24.3%). The ICE are 4-for-27 (14.8%) which is in the bottom five.
When it comes to discipline, the ICE have taken the seventh most penalty minutes in the WHL with 107. The Rebels are in the bottom five having taken 88 penalty minutes.
