GAME DAY | ICE look to snap two-game losing streak against Chiefs
Cranbrook, B.C. – The Kootenay ICE (8-10-1-0) host the Spokane Chiefs (9-7-1-2) Saturday night, the third meeting of the season between the two games.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The ICE enter Saturday’s meeting with Spokane on a two-game losing streak – which included a 5-3 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders the night before.
The Chiefs kicked off a short two-game road trip against the Lethbridge Hurricanes Friday evening, defeating the home team 6-3. It was a memorable return for Edmonton Oilers 2017 first round draft pick Kailer Yamamoto, who registered one goal and three assists in the game. Yamamoto was recently reassigned by the Oilers after earning a roster spot with the big club for the first month of the 2017-18 NHL season.
The ICE will continue to be without two of their most offensive players: 1997-born forward Colton Kroeker and 2001-born forward Peyton Krebs. Kroeker is sidelined with a lower body injury while Krebs is representing Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Despite his absence from Friday’s game, Kroeker continues to lead the ICE in goals and points with seven and 19 respectively. Thanks to his two-point night against the Raiders, 1997-born forward Alec Baer has moved into second place in team scoring with six goals and 15 points.
On the other side, 1997-born forward Hudson Elynuik – a 2016 third round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes – leads the Chiefs in goals and points with 10 and 22 respectively. He is followed by 2000-born forward Ty Smith at 19 points. 1998-born forward Riley Woods and 1999-born forward Jaret Anderson-Dolan are tied for third in team scoring with 18 points.
These two teams met in a home-and-home series at the end of September with the ICE taking three of a possible four points. The ICE lost to the Chiefs 6-5 in overtime on September 29 before edging the Chiefs in their home opener on September 30.
In the last five seasons, the ICE are 5-1-2-0 against the Chiefs at Western Financial Place and 9-5-3-0 overall.
The ICE are 6-4-1-0 at home while the Chiefs are 6-3-1-0 on the road.
These two teams won’t meet next until February 2, 2018 in Cranbrook. The final meeting of the season between the two will be February 24 in Spokane.
ICE v CHIEFS COMPARISONS
| CATEGORY | ICE | CHIEFS |
| PP% | 12-81 (14.8%) | 16-91 (17.6%) |
| PK% | 62-80 (77.5%) | 60-80 (75.0%) |
| GOALS FOR | 55 | 66 |
| GOALS AGAINST | 76 | 70 |
| STREAK | L-2 | W-1 |
| RECORD | 8-10-1-0 | 9-7-1-2 |
