ICE win Eastern Conference Championship

The Winnipeg ICE completed a four game sweep of the Saskatoon Blades Wednesday night with a 3-2 victory to win the WHL’s Eastern Conference Championship Series.

Connor McClennon led the way with a pair of goals while Briley Wood scored the game winning goal at 6:19 of the third period. Matthew Savoie chipped in with two assists giving him 27 points in 14 games. Savoie is tied for the WHL post season lead in points with Logan Stankoven of Kamloops. McClennon leads all WHL players with 13 playoff goals.

Daniel Hauser improved his personal post season record to 12-1 making 16 saves.

McClennon also led all players in the game with nine shots on goal as Winnipeg out shot Saskatoon 36-18.

The Blades goals came off the sticks of Aiden De La Gorgendiere and Trevor Wong. Austin Elliott suffered the loss in goal.

With the victory, the ICE advance to the WHL Championship Series for the fourth time in Club history (2000, 2002, 2011), having won the Ed Chynoweth Cup in each of their three prior visits. The Club also captured the 2002 Memorial Cup in Guelph, Ont.

Winnipeg now awaits the winner of the 2023 Western Conference Championship presented by Nutrien between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers. Seattle leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game Four tomorrow (Thursday) in Kamloops.