ICE Set Back By Hurricanes Sunday

Zak Zborosky scored twice against his former team to help guide the Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 6-4 victory over the Kootenay ICE Sunday at Western Financial Place.

ICE forward Colton Kroeker recorded his second multi-goal game in as many nights, pacing the home club to an early 2-0 lead on markers inside the opening ten minutes. The Surrey, BC product slammed home a one-timer from the left side 1:01 into the game to open the afternoon’s scoring, then added a second marker on an odd-man rush with fellow Lethbridge ex-pat Brett Davis to give Kootenay a 2-0 lead 8:23 into the game.

Zborosky put the Hurricanes on the board three minutes later, then capitalized on the slot on a Lethbridge power play to tie the game, deflecting a Tyler Wong pass into the top corner.

Hurricanes rookie Josh Tarzwell put the visitors in front at 16:27 with a snapshot from the right side that caromed in off ICE netminder Jakob Walter’s glove, but the Lethbridge lead was quickly extinguished thanks to Kootenay winger Vince Loschiavo. The 18 year-old fired home a one-timer on a two-on-one to tie the game at 3-3 with 1:16 to play in period one.

The Hurricanes rounded out the first period scoring through an Egor Babenko snapper with 15 seconds left to take a 4-3 advantage into the first intermission.

Wong became the third WHL player to the 40-goal mark 6:10 into the second, converting from the left side to extend the Lethbridge lead to 5-3. Forward Ryan Vandervlis put home a short-handed marker three minutes later on a chance alone in front of ICE goaltender Payton Lee.

Kootenay brought the score back to 6-4 with 5:28 to play in period two when first-year forward Kaeden Taphorn spun and fired a puck goalward from the high slot for his fourth tally of the season.

The two sides ground through a scoreless third period, with Lee robbing former Vancouver Giants teammate Alec Bear from the left wing shortly after ICE forward Tanner Sidaway struck iron on a short-handed chance.

Lee made 33 saves in relief of Walter, who turned aside 20 shots.

Affiliate call-up Adam Swan stopped 28 pucks for the Hurricanes to record his first career WHL win.

Kootenay defenseman Troy Murray appeared in his 250th game with the club, becoming the fifth ICE blueliner to do so.

HADDAD FINANCIAL SERVICES 3 STARS:
1. Zak Zborosky, Lethbridge
2. Colton Kroeker, Kootenay
3. Tyler Wong, Lethbridge

UP NEXT: the ICE head to Edmonton for a Wednesday matinee against the Oil Kings. Game time is 11:30 AM.