Sunday, November 23, 2014

Kootenay 3 Medicine Hat 0

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/hoflin-stops-48-in-ice-shutout-win
Wyatt Hoflin stopped all 48 shots he faced as the Kootenay ICE frustrated the Medicine Hat Tigers 3-0 Saturday in Medicine Hat.

Hoflin recorded his second career shutout, while the ICE chipped in offensively with a goal in each period to earn the victory against the Central division-leading Tigers.

Medicine Hat enjoyed a two-to-one shot advantage in the opening period, outshooting Kootenay 20-10 but the ICE held a 1-0 lead at the first intermission on Jaedon Descheneau's 12th goal of the season. Descheneau re-directed a hard slap-pass at the side of the net for a power-play goal at 13:49 of the first frame.

Hoflin faced flurries of offensive pressure all night, but continued to stymie the Tigers offense in period two. Kootenay outshot Medicine Hat 10-7 in the middle stanza, taking a 2-0 lead with just over four minutes remaining on Matt Alfaro's third goal of the year. The Calgary native was set up by linemate Jon Martin, who recorded his first point since returning from a month-long injury absence.

Hoflin made 21 of his career-high 48 saves in the third period, while the ICE added an insurance marker late when Levi Cable deposited the puck into Medicine Hat's empty net.

Kootenay finished the evening with 26 shots on goal, as Tigers goaltender Nick Schneider made 23 saves.

Descheneau and linemate Sam Reinhart extended their point streaks to six and seven games, respectively. Luke Philp and defenseman Cale Fleury both added assists Saturday.

The ICE has now won eight of its last nine games. Five of Kootenay's next seven games will be played away from Western Financial Place.

UP NEXT: the ICE return home to host the Moose Jaw Warriors Sunday (6:00 pm, Western Financial Place). It's also the first Family Sunday of the 2014-15 season: purchase four tickets and receive four fountain drinks and four concession items (small popcorn, pizza or hot dog) from Coyote Jack's concessions for $52.