League-Leading ICE Earn Win No. 50

The Winnipeg ICE have hit the 50-win milestone. Following a record-breaking 2021-22 season, the CHL's top team from last year's regular season has carried over its dominance through the majority of the 2022-23 On Tuesday night, the ICE took care of their visitors from the Wayne Fleming Arena, as the Medicine Hat Tigers managed just one goal to Winnipeg's three. Three of the team's top-four scorers Zach Benson (36 goals), Matthew Savoie (34 goals) and Conor Geekie (33 goals) each recorded tallies for the home team, while netminder Daniel Hauser turned aside 27 of the 28 shots he faced, earning first star honours in the process. Winnipeg was actually outshot by the Tigers, but put up better numbers in the face-off circle. Both teams were perfect on the penalty kill as neither power play was able to create anything worthy of a goal on the man advantage. Savioe's goal scored late in the second period, however, did come while shorthanded and stood as the winner, with Geekie sealing the deal on an empty-net strike in the late stages. The ICE became the first WHL team to record back-to-back 50-win seasons since the 2013-14 and 2014-15 Kelowna Rockets accomplished the feat. Now sitting at 50-9-1-0 in 60 regular season games played, Winnipeg is operating at a significantly better pace than any other WHL team, or CHL team for that matter. The QMJHL's top team - the Halifax Mooseheads - are 43-9-4-3 on the year, while the OHL's best - the Ottawa 67s - are 44-11-3-2 through 60 games as well. Winnipeg is next in action on Friday evening as the ICE welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings to town for the first contest of a two-game weekend. Provincial rival Brandon travels to Manitoba's capital for a Sunday evening tilt just a couple days later.