ICE CHIPS: Winnipeg Ice Week-in-Review for March 20, 2022

Getting you all caught up from the week that was for the Winnipeg based WHL team.

Week in Review:

ICE Record: 4-0-0 (4-0 W vs CGY, 4-0 W vs MJ, 4-3 W vs BDN, 5-0 W @ BDN)

A four-win week with three shutouts is as good as it gets in the WHL.

In his first WHL start, Dawson Cowan made 23 saves to get the win and the shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Calgary Hitmen on Tuesday, March 15. The Warren, Manitoba local got goal support from Conor Geekie, Chase Wheatcroft, Matthew Savoie, and Mikey Milne in the win. The ICE swept the season set with the Hitmen 4-0.

The next night on Wednesday, March 16, the ICE welcomed in the Moose Jaw Warriors and got a second straight shutout. Connor McClennon scored the game winner, while Savoie, Milne, and Geekie each potted goals in back-to-back games. Hauser’s 24 saves gave him his sixth shutout of the season.

On March 17, the ICE and Brandon Wheat Kings began a home-and-home to finish off their season series. A tight battle in Winnipeg found its game winner from Geekie late in the second period in a 4-3 Winnipeg win. Tyson Zimmer’s goal ended the ICE’s 241 minute and 23 second shutout streak. Zimmer had two goals in the game while Rylan Roersma scored the other for Brandon while Milne, Owen Pederson, and Carson Lambos scored for Winnipeg.

The next night, the ICE got themselves another shutout thanks to Hauser’s 19 saves for his WHL-leading seventh shutout. Skyler Bruce scored twice while Wheatcroft, Lambos, and Jack Finley also scored in the 5-0 win. Brandon has now lost six straight.

The ICE dominated the Battle of Manitoba this season with an 8-0-1-1 record in the ten-game set this season. They also locked up the East Division crown with their wins this week.

Upcoming week (all times in central time):

Winnipeg has four games games this week, with three of them against the same opponent.

On Tuesday, March 22 the ICE play their first of three games this week against the Prince Albert Raiders. Winnipeg better be ready for a desparate team – the Raiders are one point out of a playoff spot and will bring everything they have to squeak into the dance. Winnipeg, meanwhile, would pull even with the Edmonton Oil Kings for first place in the Eastern Conference with a win.

On Wednesday, March 23, Winnipeg goes south for their final game with the Saskatoon Blades this season. Right now, Saskatoon looks set for a date with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the first round. The Blades are three back of the warriors for home ice advantage in the playoffs. The last time these teams played, Jakin Smallwood scored the overtime winner in a 4-3 ICE win.

On Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26, the ICE play two straight games at home, both against the Prince Albert Raiders.

Star of the Week – Dawson Cowan – One Win, 23 saves, First WHL Win, First WHL Shutout:

A shutout win in his first WHL appearance merits recognition for Dawson Cowan. Called up from the MJHL’s Winnipeg Blues, Cowan’s work in practice with the Blues and ICE paid off to get his team the win. The saves weren’t all easy for the 16-year-old – he made some impressive stops to keep his team out front throughout the night. While it is only one game, Cowan’s strong play Tuesday night has earned him more starts down the stretch and is a good sign that Winnipeg’s crease will be well tended in the coming years.