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Put it on Ice

Kootenay Ice training camp concluded with annual Black & White benefit game Sunday afternoon
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Kootenay Ice forward Vince Loschiavo (#17) takes the puck to the net during the third period of Sunday afternoon's 16th annual Black & White Charity Game benefitting the Cranbrook & Kimberley United Way. Loschiavo tallied one goal in defeat as Team Black won 4-3 in the shootout.

Taylor Rocca

The 16th annual Black and White Intrasquad Game wrapped up Kootenay Ice training camp Sunday afternoon at Western Financial Place.

The annual charity game has raised more than $30,000 since it its inauguration in 1999, including $2,265 Sunday afternoon.

Team Black took the contest by a final score of 4-3 in the shootout after veteran forward Ryan Chynoweth scored the game-winning tally in the seventh round of the skills competition.

“It was pretty exciting,” Chynoweth said Sunday afternoon following the game. “Getting late in [the shootout], I knew the goalie [Keelan Williams] pretty well. I trained with him all summer, so it was nice to score one on him and win the game.”

Chynoweth skated in 45 games last season, split between the Tri City Americans and Kootenay Ice. After battling injuries towards the end of the 2013-14 campaign, the 19-year-old is glad to be back on the ice and healthy, having not played a game since Feb. 14 in Brandon.

“[I feel] pretty good,” Chynoweth said. “A little out of shape after not playing for so long but it’s really nice to get back out there and feel good. Hopefully I continue to get better as [pre-season] goes on and get in better shape.”

Fans came out on the Sunday of September long weekend to get an early glimpse of what they might expect to see come the Oct. 3 home-opener when the Spokane Chiefs visits Cranbrook and they were treated to a back-and-forth affair.

Apart from registering the shootout winner, Chynoweth opened the scoring early in the first period.

Chynoweth and Team Black carried a 2-1 lead into the third period after Levi Cable scored the go-ahead goal late in the middle frame.

Rookie forward Vince Loschiavo drew things even early in the third period with an electrifying wrist shot from the top of the left circle. A helpless Declan Hobbs had nothing left to do but waive at Loschiavo’s laser as it whizzed past him high glove side.

The 2013 second round bantam selection has been nothing short of impressive in his second year at Kootenay Ice training camp. Having turned 16 in March, the native of Winnipeg has put himself in a good position to make this club. That being said, exhibition season could change things.

“Last year I came in a little more nervous [as a 15-year-old] but this year you know you have a chance to make the team,” Loschiavo said Sunday afternoon. “It’s a bit more exciting.

“I’m just trying to do my best and do as much as I can to crack the squad.”

Veteran forward Austin Vetterl gave Team White the 3-2 advantage midway through the final period before another returner, Zak Zborosky knotted things up late to send the benefit game to a shootout.

After a total of 13 players had missed on their shootout opportunities, including Jaedon Descheneau, Luke Philp and Vetterl, Chynoweth skated in on Keelan Williams and wired a snap shot high blocker side to end the game.

Forward Drew Warkentine also added a first-period marker for Team White.

Between the pipes, Jakob Walter started the game for Team White, splitting duties with Williams. At the other end of the rink, Jayden Sittler got the start for Team Black before giving way to Hobbs.

The annual intrasquad game marks the end of training camp for the Ice.

Next up, the team begins its exhibition season Kennewick, Wa. Thursday night with a game against the Tri City Americans.