Welcome to the daily WHL playoff recap focusing on the Eastern Conference. Here is a look back at the day that was:
Winnipeg Ice (3) vs Prince Albert Raiders (1)
Winnipeg jumped out in front as Jakin Smallwood, Owen Pedersen gave the Ice the 2-0 lead heading into the third period but Reece Vitelli scored at 1:45 in the third for the Raiders to cut the lead in half. Luckily for the Ice, Connor McClennon scored 68 seconds later to lock down the two goal win.
The Ice powerplay was clicking as they were two for four while the Raiders went zero for five. Zachary Benson chipped in with two assists. Ice goaltender Daniel Hauser made 19 saves for the win while Raiders goaltender Tikhon Chaika made 27 saves.
Of big concern for the Ice is the status of Matthew Savoie. Savoie left midway through the third period with an apparent leg injury. Savoie had to be helped off the ice. The two teams play Game Two tomorrow at the Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg.
Moose Jaw Warriors (5) vs Saskatoon Blades (1)
Moose Jaw jumped out to a lead ss Atley Calvert and Jagger Firkus gave the Warriors a 2-0 lead after the first period. Josh Pillar gave the Blades the early jump with a goal at the 1:18 mark of the second period to make the game 2-1, but Maxximus Warner restored the Warriors two goal lead at 11:21 of the second. Majid Kaddura scored at the 4:49 mark in the third while Ryder Korczak scored at 8:54 to help the Warriors win 5-1.
Blades goaltender Nolan Maier was replaced by Ethan Chadwick for the remaining of the
game. Maier made 21 saves while Chadwick made 10. Both Firkus and Warner added an assist with their goals they scored. Denton Mateychuk and Eric Alarie also contributed two assists each. Carl Tetachuk made 18 saves in the win.
The Warriors were one for three on the powerplay while the Blades were zero for five. They are back in action for Game Two tomorrow at Mosiac Place in Moose Jaw.
Red Deer Rebels (5) vs Brandon Wheat Kings (0)
Jace Isley scored a shorthanded goal in the first to get the Rebels started. But it was the second period that the Rebels established their game. Red Deer scored four goals in the second scored by Blake Gustafson, Jayden Grubbe, Talon Brigley, and Arshdeep Bains. Chase Coward made the save of the night as he robbed a sure goal from Nate Danielson with six and half minutes to go in the second period. Coward made 18 saves to get the shutout. Ethan Kruger made 23 saves for the Wheat Kings.
For Bains, including the regular season, he has scored a goal in 10 straight games. He has 11 goals in that span. Along with his goal, Grubbe contributed an assist. Hunter Mayo also chipped in with two assists.
It was a penalty filled game. Both teams had seven powerplays. The Rebels were one for seven while the Wheat Kings went zero for seven.
The Wheat Kings will try to tie the series Saturday Night at the Peavey Mart Centrum.