Playing With a Smile

“I think some players do mature when they go through the WHL,” says head coach Kris Knoblauch, “and sometimes it never happens. But for [Lieuwen], I think this summer he wanted to take his game to another level.”

Cardinal saw that other level in Kootenay’s 7-5 win over the Portland Winterhawks in Game 2 of the WHL final.

“We had a big lead and started to give up some goals, but he made about seven or eight big saves,” Cardinal says. “Sometimes there are goalies that will show body language that they’re down. He had a smile on his face.”

Lieuwen smiles because he is trying to live a different life than most junior hockey players. He does not dream of big contracts or Stanley Cups. The moment is more important than the destination.

“I’m told I’m always smiling and that’s because I’m enjoying it,” he says. “And I’m making sure that as serious as I am about my hockey I’m having fun with it and being who I am.”

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Playing With a Smile

Mem Cup Action Starts Up Friday

The 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup festivities will get underway on Thursday, May 19, while the action on the ice will start on Friday, May 20. The host Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors will host the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the opening game.

With the Kootney Ice crowned as the WHL champions, they will represent the West at the Memorial Cup. In the cage will be Nathan Lieuwen, who received this years playoff MVP award.

A total of 10 players from the Prairies region will help lead Kootney to the Memorial Cup Championship. Cody Eakin, James Martin, and Luke Paulsen will hit the ice from Manitoba. Jesse Ismond, Drew Czerwonka, Brock Montgomery, Brayden McNabb, Joey Leach, and John Neibrandt will be cheered on from the Saskatchewan area.

The nine day Canadian Hockey League tournament starts up on May 20th through to the 29th.

2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule :

Round-Robin Game 1 – QMJHL vs. Mississauga on Friday May 20, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Round-Robin Game 2 – OHL vs. WHL on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Round-Robin Game 3 – Mississauga vs. WHL on Sunday May 22, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Round-Robin Game 4 – OHL vs. QMJHL on Monday May 23, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Round-Robin Game 5 – WHL vs. QMJHL on Tuesday May 24, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Round-Robin Game 6 – Mississauga vs. OHL on Wednesday May 25, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Tie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday May 26, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Semi-Final – Friday May 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Championship Final – Sunday May 29, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Mem Cup Action Starts Up Friday

Lieuwy Takes Game 3 in OT; Awarded Games 1st Star

Nathan Lieuwen & the Kootenay Ice take Game 3 in overtime versus the Portland Winterhawks 3-2 to take a 2-1 series lead Lieuwy gets 1st star.

Game 4 of the series goes tonight. With two out of the past three games going into overtime, this one should be another barn burner as both teams fight to claw their way into the Memorial Cup.

Sporting a crested GDI logo on the back of his helmet, Nathan Lieuwen has evolved into a consistent stand-point within the team with aided help from GDI Alberta's Justin Cardinal. Reliable in the backend for his team, this has been evident as he shut down Portland with 38 stops in game 3.

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Lieuwy Takes Game 3 in OT; Awarded Games 1st Star