Ice provide pure, passionate, exciting hockey

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This article was published 22/04/2022 (1324 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It is hockey at its most primal. Its most intimate. Its most frenetic. Its most fun.

There are no multi-millionaires going through the motions, no out-of-control egos that must be stroked. Just good ol’ fashioned heart-racing, pulse-pounding, glass-rattling chaos that reminds us what we love about this great sport. Young athletes giving it everything they have, leaving it all on the ice.

And on a rainy Friday night in late April, all those attributes were on full display at Wayne Fleming Arena as the puck dropped on the Western Hockey League playoffs. Not since the Winnipeg Warriors way back in 1983 has a locally based team in the ‘Dub play a post-season game in these parts.

It was worth the 39-year wait, I’d say.

A Game 1 victory by the Winnipeg Ice over the underdog Prince Albert Raiders was a bit of a white-knuckle affair, as the underdog visitors did an impressive job hanging with the high-flying hosts. There could — should — be many more of these to come for the No. 2 ranked team in the country over the next few weeks, as the Ice have the horses to go deep into the post-season, perhaps all the way to the Memorial Cup.

This was my first in-person viewing of James Patrick’s troops since they relocated from Cranbrook, B.C., for the start of the 2019-20 season. Colour me impressed, not just with the on-ice product, but the overall presentation. The action and atmosphere make for a great evening out, as does a press box seat that might just be the best you’ll find in any barn in North America.

Put it this way: This is the first column I’ve ever penned where I had to keep one eye on the ice at all times for fear a wayward puck might just hit me between the eyes as I type, given our location literally overlooking the ice on top of the Ice bench. A few black marks on the brick wall behind me served as a stark warning.

Fortunately, I survived unscathed. This time, anyways. Fact is, there’s not a bad seat to be found in the “Ice Cave,” which simply adds to the purity and intensity of it all.

But don’t just take my word for it. I chatted up several fans prior to puck drop to get their take on what has kept them coming out, in a hockey-crazed community where the NHL Jets and AHL Moose get the majority of fan (and media) attention. It’s clear the passion runs deep.

“They play from their heart, instead of a paycheque,” is how Mike Simpson put it. “The venue is small, of course, but you’re blown away by the announcing and music. It’s first class. Sometimes I think the city is not fully supporting the team because it’s not cool enough. It’s more cool if you post a selfie at a Jets game kind of attitude.”

Fair enough. I’d like to think there’s enough support around here for all levels of hockey to get the support they need. Other than Toronto and Chicago, no other city in North America has an NHL, AHL and top-level junior club competing in the market for eyeballs, sponsorship and the like. The Ice are obviously the smallest of the three. But they’re providing plenty of bang for the buck this season.

“The game is quick and exciting. The junior level has so much talent from different parts of the world. High level competition because everyone is out to prove themselves so the hits are harder, the skating is faster and the goals are exciting,” said Clarke Heynen, who regularly brings his two boys to watch.

A lot of folks have sent suggestions my way that the Ice ought to see if they can shift to Canada Life Centre for the playoffs. While a good idea on paper, there is zero chance of it happening. Don’t forget, the ownership group is in direct competition with the Jets and, more realistically, the Moose. Don’t hold your breath on any favours.

Which is perfectly fine with those who come out regularly.

“The barn they play in is fantastic. You are right there in front of all the action. I’m from Calgary and never found the Hitmen that exciting because games are played in an NHL arena so it doesn’t have the same feel,” said Heynen.

There are a handful of players who will likely go on to the ‘Show,” one day, including Winnipeg-born Ice defenceman Carson Lambos. The smooth-skating, puck-moving blue-liner is a joy to watch, calm, cool and collected. No doubt the Minnesota Wild, who selected him 26th overall in last summer’s draft, have a good one in their system. Get used to seeing him a lot in the Central Division, Jets fans.

Forwards Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie have extremely bright futures as well, with both projected to be selected extremely early in the upcoming draft, which will be held in Montreal. For many others, this is the highest level they’ve ever play at before moving onto other careers. Which is no doubt part of the appeal of following them on their respective journeys. Plus, the learning curve at this age, and this level, is something to behold.

“I enjoy watching players develop over the course of a season and watch them on their journey to pro hockey or whatever comes next,” said diehard supporter Michael Gerl, who has cerebral palsy and said the easy access to get in and out of the building is one of the reasons he started coming out regularly.

“These Ice games are the hidden gem for sports in this city,” said Gerl. “I hope more people latch on to this team for years to come.”

The big question I had for everyone I talked to — will the Ice go all the way? Certainly, the opening night performance did nothing to dampen the hopes. The consensus seemed to be the biggest hurdle will be getting past the Edmonton Oil Kings, who were neck-and-neck all season with Winnipeg for top seed in the league.

“Obviously, you don’t finish first in the league for nothing,” said Aiden Zalondek. “This team has looked dominant all year. Like everything is functioning, everyone always knows where their teammates are on the ice and they have a very high chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.”

Dare to dream, hockey fans. And enjoy the ride.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg