Kootenay 5 Hitmen 1 - September 24, 2011

Cranbrook, BC – The Kootenay Ice struck for three goals 1:40 apart late in the second period en route to a 5-1 win over the visiting Calgary Hitmen Saturday night.

The Hitmen carried most of the play outshooting the Ice 30-18 but had problems solving Buffalo Sabres prospect Nathan Lieuwen (lou-in).  The 20-year-old goaltender made 29 saves in a first star performance.

The lone Calgary goal came off the stick of Russian import Alex Gogolev.

Adam Rossignol (Ross-ig-nal) scored twice in the win for Kootenay while Brock Montgomery had a career high four assists.

The Hitmen will now enjoy a five day break before heading to Lethbridge on Friday to face the Hurricanes.

The Adrenalin Source for Sports home opener goes Sunday, October 2nd at 2pm when the Hitmen again face the Kootenay Ice, this time at Scotiabank Saddledome.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Here is the scoring summary
 
Calgary 0 0 1 - 1
Kootenay 0 3 2 - 5

1st Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-Neibrandt Ktn (interference), 7:14; Gogolev Cal (tripping), 9:54; Trzonkowski Cal (tripping), 12:20; Brassart Cal (hooking), 14:25.

2nd Period
1, Kootenay, Reinhart 1 (Antilla, Montgomery), 14:17 (PP).
2, Kootenay, Rossignol 1 (Montgomery, Hurley), 14:44.
3, Kootenay, Benoit 2 (Pearce, Neibrandt), 15:57.
Penalties-Dirk Ktn (slashing), 3:27; Lubin Cal (major-fighting), 10:10; McKinlay Ktn (major-fighting), 10:10; Kirsch Cal (roughing, roughing), 12:34; Descheneau Ktn (roughing), 12:34; Ismond Ktn (cross checking), 20:00.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Gogolev 1 (Kirsch, Humphries), 10:46.
5, Kootenay, Ismond 1 (Montgomery, Leach), 17:47.
6, Kootenay, Rossignol 2 (Montgomery, Leach), 19:27 (PP).
Penalties-Benoit Ktn (interference), 12:12; Rissling Cal (elbowing), 19:09.

Shots on Goal
Calgary 11-10-9-30.
Kootenay 2-11-5-18.

Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 0 / 4;
Kootenay 2 / 5.

Goalies
Calgary, Glover 0-1-0-0 (18 shots-13 saves).
Kootenay, Lieuwen 1-0-0-1 (30 shots-29 saves).

Attendance 3,253

Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Ryan Bonnett (39).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Scott Sharun (103).

My post game thoughts:
-This was NOT a 5-1 game.  Take away the second period and the Hitmen outshot Kootenay by a combined 20-7.  However the Hitmen are going to have to tighten up defensively.  The three Ice goals 1:40 apart were all glorious scoring chances.
-This won't be the first game Nathan Lieuwen shines in.  The 20-year-old Ice goalie is a stud and I guess it speaks to the depth in the Buffalo Sabres goaltending ranks as to why he's back in the WHL and not in the AHL.
-Cody Sylvester played defence for the Hitmen in this contest.  With Ben Wilson at AHL camp and Alex Roach still at LA Kings camp the Hitmen needed an extra d-man.
-No captain picked yet although Jimmy Bubnick, Cody Sylvester and Spencer Humphries all wore A's
-The roster now stands at 26 after the club released 19-year-old forward John Lawrence.  A great person and a VERY well liked teammate, but I think his age played against him with so many quality young Hitmen showing they are ready for the WHL.