The much anticipated series began in Winnipeg between the Oil Kings and the ICE.
Mikey Milne opened the scoring with his 10th off the playoffs for the ICE at 8:34 before Dylan Guenter tied it up at 1-1 with his 10th at 13:08. The Oil Kings outshot the ICE 15-7 in the first period.
In the second period, the Oil Kings were able to build off that momentum and get a lead. It started with a shorthanded goal from Simon Kubicek 47 seconds in. Then the Oil Kings did what the ICE have done to their opponents so often in these playoffs, score quickly. Guenther got his second of the game at 7:02. Logan Dowhaniuk at 7:30. That ended Daniel Hauser’s night. Gage Alexander replaced him. The Oil Kings took a 4-1lead into the third.
the ICE got a break in the third. Dylan Guenther swung at the puck and it ended up beating his own goalie Sebastian Cossa. That made it 4-2. Then Benjamin Zloty, who got credit for the Guenther own goal, got an unassisted goal to make 4-3. Owen Pedersen tied it at 4-4 at 11:24 to take it to overtime.
Overtime did not last long. Tyler Horstmann scores at 1:07 to give the Oil Kings the win.
For the Oil Kings, Guenther led the way with two goals and one assist. Horstmann hada goal and an assist. Sebastian Cossa made 22 saves on 26 shots for the win. In addition to Zloty’s two goals, the ICE got two assists from Zachary Benson. Hauser made 17 saves on 21 shots. Alexander took the loss for the ICE as he allowed the OT goal. He made 18 saves on 19 shots.
The two teams will meet again for Game Two tomorrow in Winnipeg.