The Cold Lake Ice got a good start to the season, taking their one and only preseason game 7-5 over the Lloydminster Bandits in Wainwright on Friday night.
A goal less than two minutes into the first frame from Ice veteran Chase Brown got the momentum going for the team. Rookie Colton Katuski scored his first for the Ice at the 3:20 mark into the period, bringing Cold Lake up 2-0.
The Bandits fought back, notching their first 20 seconds later. It wasn't long before another Ice newcomer took the spotlight. Brae Howatt fired the puck past the Lloydminster net minder, off a pass from Dillon Kalinski.
Neither teams were short on penalty minutes in the first. Two power play goals, one apiece, in last six minutes of the period brought the score to 4-2 for the Ice.
Heading into the second, penalty minutes continued to rack up while the goals were a little scarcer. Returning Ice forward Curtis Witney scored the lone point for his team in the period. The Bandits attempted to close up the gap once more thanks to a power play goal with 2:13 left.
“Obviously there's a lot of work to be done. We got to look at some guys and know where we're at now,” said Ice head coach Scott Hood, who added that cutting back on penalty minutes is still a key focus for this season's coaching staff.
“We'll address that as the season goes on and the guys can either buy in or we'll make some adjustments that way.”
After a fight right off the bat in the third frame landed the Ice on a penalty kill, Lloydminster took advantage of the extra man and tied things up less than four minutes into the period. The Ice quickly regained their lead, though. Two quick goals less than a minute apart from veterans Taylor Anshelm and Christian Nypower gave the Ice another two-point lead.
Despite falling short-handed after gloves were dropped, the Ice managed to hold off the Bandits until the end of play with new goalie Dahlin Supernault blocking the shots in Cold Lake's net. The Ice won their only preseason game with a final score of 7-5.
“We have a good group of young kids coming in. Braden Carr played good his first game and Donovan Bibeau, they're definitely going to compliment our veterans that have been around for a whole and won some championships,” said Hood.
He added, “Both goalies played well. Our forward and defence kind of left them hanging high and dry on some goals. There's nothing to be concerned about. They let in five goals for the first game but I think we're alright.”
The Ice now have five practices before heading into their season opener on Oct. 2. Hood explained they're going to use this time to get the players in shape and look back at Friday's game to see what can be improved.
“Obviously, your defensive zone, your power play and your penalty kills, and then just getting ready for that October 2nd game.”
The Ice will be in St. Paul on Oct. 2 for their first game of the 2015/'16 season. Puck-drop is 8 p.m.
