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Ice defeat Raiders 3-2 in OT

Kootenay erases two-goal deficit in third period as Reinhart scores in the extra frame for the win.

Make that two in a row for the Kootenay Ice.

Sam Reinhart was the overtime hero against the Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday night in Saskatchewan, scoring his second goal of the game for Kootenay’s second win in as many days.

The road hasn’t been kind to the Ice this season, but it appears as if the team’s fortunes are changing.

Kootenay erased a two-goal deficit in the final frame as the Raiders scored a pair of goals in the opening period.

Mackenzie Skapski stood tall in the crease for the Ice, stopping 38 shots, while Luke Siemens, in net on the other side of the rink, made 31 saves.

While the Raiders had a good start, with early goals from Anthony Bardaro and Mike Winther, they seemed to sit back the rest of the way, according to Ice assistant coach Chad Kletzel.

“I don’t think PA was on their game—they thought the game was going to be easy and we had some guys on our team step up and play better,” said Kletzel.

The two teams held each other scoreless in the middle frame, though Winther the best scoring chance with a wide open net, but Skapski sprawled to make the save with his blocker arm.

Kootenay roared back into the game in the final period, starting with a goal from Jaedon Descheneau, who picked up a rebound after Jordyn Boyd put a shot on net.

Ten minutes later, Sam Reinhart struck for his 21st goal of the season to pull things even with 13 minutes remaining in the game.

Nothing was decided when the final buzzer went, which sent things to overtime.

With just under 30 seconds left in the OT frame, Descheneau saucered a pass over to Reinhart while in the offensive zone, and the Kootenay sniper converted to win the game.

Boyd had a two point night, getting in on both goals in regulation time. He also scored an important goal on Tuesday night against the Blades that tied up the game in the third period.

“He’s played well the last two games,” said Kletzel. “He’s been working hard with a purpose, getting pucks in and driving the net, handling the puck well and it’s translated into some results for him lately.”

Kootenay is now four points outside of a playoff spot, as the Medicine Hat Tigers occupy eighth place with 43 points. The Ice have a travel day on Thursday and head to Regina, where they will face the Pats on Friday evening.

ICE NOTES: Missing from the Prince Albert roster was D Josh Morrissey, who was attending the CHL Top Prospects game in Halifax. Kootenay and Regina have faced each other twice in the season, with a split record of one win apiece. Landon Peel, Kootenay’s newest acquisition who came up from the MJHL after the trade deadline, used to be in the Pats’ system and played 19 games with the team last season. Regina drafted him 50th overall in the third round of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.



Trevor Crawley

About the Author: Trevor Crawley

Trevor Crawley has been a reporter with the Cranbrook Townsman and Black Press in various roles since 2011.
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