ICE clinch 1st place in Eastern Conference

The Winnipeg ICE guaranteed themselves home ice advantage through the first three rounds of the Western Hockey League postseason with a 4-1 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings Sunday at the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena.

With a 52-9-1 record, good for 105 points, the ICE cannot be caught by Saskatoon in the East Division standings or by Central Division leading Red Deer in the Eastern Conference.

Zack Ostapchuk led Winnipeg to their eight straight regular season win over Brandon in the Battle of Manitoba presented by Taylor McCaffery Lawyers with a goal and two assists. Connor McClennon, Evan Friesen and Owen Pederson rounded out the attack.

Wheat Kings forward Nate Danielson broke the shutout bid of goaltender Daniel Hauser 1:47 into the third period. Brandon outshot the ICE 31-28. Carson Bjarnason suffered the loss in goal.

Winnipeg finished the game 2/5 on the power play. The visitors were 0/2.

The ICE now head to Prince Albert for an 8:00 face off Tuesday night.

The ICE and Raiders return to the ICE Cave inside Wayne Fleming Arena for games this weekend (Saturday at 7:00 and Sunday at 5:00).