ICE Down Pats Friday

The Kootenay ICE scored four goals in the third period en route to a 5-3 triumph over the Regina Pats Friday at Western Financial Place.

Matt Alfaro scored twice including the game-winning marker, while defenseman Tanner Lishchynsky and forward Austin Wellsby both enjoyed three-point nights.

Kootenay opened the scoring late in period one when forward Noah Philp scooped up a rebound just outside the crease, slotting the puck past Pats netminder Jordan Hollett for his third goal of the season. The two sides each fired 16 shots on goal in the opening frame, with ICE forward Vince Loschiavo and Regina sniper Adam Brooks both hitting posts.

The score remained 1-0 in favour of the home team until the 14:45 mark of period two, when Pats defenseman Connor Hobbs wired a snapshot from just inside the blue line to the top corner. Regina outshot Kootenay 18-5 in the middle stanza and 48-34 on the night.

The third period was by far the busiest in terms of offence, and the ICE took full advantage early on. After being sprung loose down the left wing, Alfaro backhanded his 11th goal of the season past Hollett 2:54 into the period, before Lishchynsky re-directed a Wellsby shot from the front of the net 37 seconds later.

Brooks replied for Regina with a one-timer from the slot to cut the Kootenay lead to 3-2 at 4:16 of the third.

Alfaro, who has now put up multi-point efforts in his last three games, continued his hot streak with a second backhand marker at 7:25 to put the ICE back up by two goals, but the Pats answered back on a power-play snapper from Colton Kroeker with 5:06 to play to narrow the Kootenay lead to 4-3.

The ICE set a new season high with their four third-period goals, rounding out the scoring on a Wellsby rebound tap-in with two minutes to play. Kootenay, winners of back-to-back games, have now collected points in each of their three outings in 2016.

Hoflin made 45 saves on the night to earn the victory, while Hollett stopped 23 shots before being replaced by call-up Kurtis Chapman after the second Alfaro marker.

HADDAD FINANCIAL SERVICES 3 STARS:
1. Matt Alfaro, Kootenay
2. Wyatt Hoflin, Kootenay
3. Tanner Lishchynsky, Kootenay

UP NEXT: the ICE travel to Lethbridge Saturday before opening a four-game home stand Tuesday versus Saskatoon.