Tigers Comeback Falls Short, 5-4
April 14, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
Medicine Hat, AB -- The Medicine Hat Tigers got out to a great start on Monday night, one to be dreamed about for the coaching staff. An early 2-0 lead just three minutes into the game was quickly squashed by the Hitmen who ended up scoring 5 unanswered goals en route to a 5-4 victory in the highest scoring game of the playoffs for the Tigers.
The opening period was jam packed, mostly with goals as the period saw 5 cross the goal line. It was a dream start for the Tigers, scoring just a minute and 34 seconds into the game as Chad Labelle found his 1st goal of the playoffs after a hard checking line shift from linemates Blake Penner and Matt Bradley. Just 59 seconds later the Tigers top line would get the job done and take advantage of a sluggish Hitmen squad. Steven Owre potted his 5th of the playoffs after he was on the receiving end of a nice cross crease pass from Cole Sanford. That would be the end of the cheering for the Tigers in the period as the Hitmen would change gears and mount the comeback on the unsuspecting orange and black.
It all started just before and after the media break as Adam Tambellini finally found the scoresheet in the series netting his 8th of the playoffs as he deked out Marek Langhamer and snuck the puck shortside. Just after the midway point of the period the Hitmen would tie the game on a power play, the start of three straight power play goals, as Hitmen captain Kenton Helgesen batted home a rebound in front. Calgary would take the lead and mount the comeback in the period when Connor Rankin wristed a shot short side on Langhamer on the power play. Heading into the break the Tigers trailed 3-2 after jumping out to a 2-0 lead early.
The second period didn't start well for the Tigers as Owre was shown the gate to the penalty box just over a minute into the frame. The Hitmen would make Owre and the Tigers pay when Travis Sanheim recorded his 3rd point of the night and 4th goal of the playoffs to extend the lead to 4-2. Moments later Tambellini struck again as the 20 year old New York Rangers draft choice found a loose puck and banged home his second of the night and 9th of the playoffs, Tambellini would have 4 points on this night for Calgary. It was a period to forget for the Tigers as they were unable to generate any offense, a rarity during the playoffs as they mustered only 4 shots on goal and trailed 5-2 after 40 minutes.
The Tigers knew they needed to push hard in the final 20 minutes looking for at least 4 goals to claim the victory on Monday night. Stopping the Hitmen's offense was key and the Tabbies were able to do just that as they limited the Hitmen to just 2 shots on goal in the entire period. Labelle opened the scoring just three minutes in, Penner attempted a wrap around which was thwarted by the Hitmen but the puck came out to the Calgary native Labelle who potted his second of the playoffs and second of the game. Things then got more interesting when Dryden Hunt joined the goal scoring parade at the six minute mark, scoring his 4th of the playoffs to cut the lead to 5-4. Medicine Hat would throw the kitchen sink at the Hitmen and goaltender Mack Shields including a 2 minute drill in the final minutes by the top line, who created many chances but were unable to find the equalizer as the final buzzer rang.
TIGERS FAST FACTS
Adam Tambellini was scoreless in the series until Monday night when he recorded 4 points to give him 19 in the playoffs (WHL leader) Blake Penner recorded 2 assists in the game giving the Medicine Hat product his first multi-point game in the post season of his career Dryden Hunt is on a 3 game goal scoring streak and has scored in half of the Tigers playoff games Steven Owre has 5 goals already in the playoffs, eclipsing his total from last year (3)
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Travis Sanheim - CGY - (1G, 2A)
2. Adam Tambellini - CGY - (2G, 2A)
3. Chad Labelle - MH - (2G)
The Tigers will head back to the Hat for Game 4 of this series on Wednesday back at home as the series starts goes back to Calgary on Friday for Game 5.
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Western Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2015
- This Week in Silvertips Hockey - Everett Silvertips
- Hitmen to Host Playoff Party Friday - Calgary Hitmen
- Tigers Comeback Falls Short, 5-4 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Ryobi and the WHL congratulate Joe Gatenby as the Hardest Working Player of the Year - WHL
- Hitmen Take 2-1 Series Lead in Nailbiter - Calgary Hitmen
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