Lethbridge goalie Juha Metsola made 41 saves in a 4-3 shoot-win over the Kootenay ICE. The ICE trailed all night by scores of 2-0, 3-1 and 3-2. Rookies Jesse Ismond and Dominik Pacovsky scored their 1st ever WHL goals while Tylan Stephens had the other.
Nathan Lieuwen was the starter as it looks like the club will rotate starts between the 2 young netminders.
Late in the 1st period Defenseman Cason Machacek blocked a shot with his chin, had a couple of teeth chipped and returned in the 2nd period. Fans are going to like his style of play.
The ICE were 1/8 on the power-play including a couple of 5-on-3's.
Pacovsky and Michael Stickland are tied for the team lead with 4 points after 2 games. Brayden McNabb leads the defensmen with 2 points.
Kevin King has been released by the Minnesota Wild and could play on Sunday. Dustin Sylvester has a hip injury as could return as early as Tuesday. Ian Barteaux has 1 game left in his 3 game suspension. Drew Czerwonka has 5 games left in his suspension.
Look for the ICE to make cuts to the roster when these guys return to the line-up.
ICE host Lethbridge Sunday at 6. Pre-Game Show on The Drive is at 5:30.