Winnipeg Ice kick-off playoff series with weekend wins

Winnipeg Ice is now 2-0 over Medicine Hat Tigers in the seven-round series. The teams are getting ready to face each other again later this week.

Graduating defenceman Ben Zloty had four assists that ensured Winnipeg's 5-3 win over Medicine Hat.

Matthew Savoie captured his first WHL playoff hat trick, scoring once in the first period and another two times in the third. Zach Ostapchuk and Evan Friesen both found the back of the net to round out the score.

Andrew Basha from the Tigers pushed back against the Ice by scoring twice, along with Rhett Parsons with another.

The Ice finished the game 3/6 on the power play while the visitors were 1/4.

Medicine Hat Tigers outshot Winnipeg Ice 36-35, however, it was Ice goalie Daniel Hauser who earned the victory over Beckett Langkow.

The two teams went head-to-head again on Saturday where the Ice won 5-2, and they now take a 2-0 lead in the seven-round series.

Briley Wood was the first and only one to score in the first period, putting the Ice in the lead since the beginning. 

It was then Ostapchuk and Connor McClennon who scored in the second, and McClennon again in the third. Savoie guaranteed the win with an empty net shot in the third.

Basha was the first from the visiting team to put them on the board, with Dallon Melin bringing them their second goal.

For the second straight game, the Ice won the special teams battle going 2/4 on the power play while the Tigers went 1/4.

McClennon showed fierce determination in the face-off circle, winning 12 out of 14.

Hauser once again earned the victory over Langkow in the net, with the Tigers having more shots on net than the Ice, 27-22.

The Winnipeg Ice now travels to Co-op Place in Medicine Hat for games three and four in the series on Tuesday and Wednesday.