Kootenay Ice assistant coaches Todd Johnson and Jerry Bancks shared the driver's seat for Saturday's game in Spokane.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch had been suspended for the last pre-season match because of a fight-filled end to the penultimate exhibition. With a couple of Calgary Flames prospects reinserted in the lineup, the Ice won a come-from-behind 4-3 shootout victory.

Johnson said, together with Knoblauch, the coaches had decided they would deviate a little from rolling the lines as Kootenay had in four previous exhibitions.

"We're at a point now where we've seen what some guys can do and what they bring to the table," said Johnson. "We decided to go with the veterans a little bit more than in previous games."

Max Reinhart — who returned from NHL rookie camp along with Joey Leach — scored the tying goal with less than two minutes remaining for his second point of the game. Elgin Pearce also scored, and he and Reinhart both tallied in the shootout while Todd Mathews shut the door.

"Max, Pearce, Leach — even just having them in the lineup brings up the play of the rookies and brings up the play of the other veterans," said Johnson. "It's pre-season and a lot of times veterans don't want to play but when there are more in the lineup they have more reason to go a little bit harder."

Pearce had missed last Thursday's home game, having hurt his foot after blocking a shot the previous weekend.

Defenceman Jagger Dirk opened scoring for the Ice, with his second of the pre-season.

Mackenzie Skapski got the start for Kootenay in net, turning aside 21 of 22 shots sent his way. He traded spots with Mathews for the second half, and the American goalie made 22 saves on 24 shots.

Johnson said the Ice gave up too many man advantages, with six in the middle frame alone.

"Hopefully that isn't a trend that is going to keep going," he said. "I thought we took too many penalties in the last two games and that can bite you."

On the bright side, it gave the penalty kill a chance to shine.

"We've worked on it a little bit just the day prior," said Johnson. "With just that little bit of time, the result of that penalty kill was quite good (Saturday). We played very well shorthanded. We did give up some shots but we took away their second shots and I thought both our goalies played very well steering the rebounds to the side."

The Ice exited the game with a 1-4 pre-season record, and Johnson said it's nice to have wrapped up exhibition play with a win.

"I think for the guys for sure, and possibly for the fans as well, I think it helps," said Johnson. "As a coaching staff, Kris and I talk every day and we want to keep getting better. The results of the other pre-season games weren't really that discouraging with the (young) lineup that we had. We're just focusing on Saturday (the regular season opener versus the Calgary Hitmen) and hopefully we'll get a few more guys back (from NHL camps) and that will make our lineup that much stronger.

"Right now we're focusing on teaching and making our team prepared."

LEAGUE DISCIPLINE

Knoblauch was suspended after three Ice players engaged in fisticuffs in one stoppage late in Thursday's game against the Tri-City Americans in Cranbrook.

Rookie Jared Iron was also suspended for a game for engaging in the fourth fight of the game, which came in the same stoppage.

Although the Americans' staff avoided censure, prospect winger Zach McPhee was suspended for a game for his hit from behind on Kootenay's Mike Simpson. That hit sparked the brouhaha with 40 seconds left in regulation.

Knoblauch wasn't allowed in the Eagles Ice-A-Rena for one hour before Saturday's game and until one hour after.

Having loaned his car to the head coach for the duration of the game, Johnson exited the arena to get the keys from Knoblauch.

"He goes, 'Oh, how did we do?'" said Johnson, laughing.

Johnson departed for Kelowna where, as of last night, his wife Miriam was having contractions with their second child.

Even with that on his mind, Johnson is excited for his first regular season WHL game as a coach.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "Hopefully the baby comes far before next Saturday because I'd hate to miss our home opener, but family first."

CHANGES COMING

With 27 players on the active roster, the Ice will begin releasing athletes today.

Kootenay will keep more than 22 players, not including the four fellows still at NHL camp.

Knoblauch said Drew Czerwonka (Edmonton) and Steele Boomer (Chicago) were expecting to be back with the WHL club by mid-week.

The Ice aren't sure yet when (or, in Matt Fraser's case, if) Fraser and Brayden McNabb (Buffalo) will be back. Fraser has played well enough to get consideration for a professional contract with Vancouver.