NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Medicine Hat Tigers

Comeback Kids Ends in Shootout

November 1, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB -- The Medicine Hat Tigers and Red Deer Rebels are no strangers to close games as the entire 2015 playoffs were full of them during the Tabbies 4-1 series victory. The first Sunday home game proved to be a roller coaster game, ending in a 6-5 shootout loss for the home side.

The opening period saw the Rebels get out to an early lead just 2 minutes in as Evan Polei potted his 5th of the season which lead the visitors to four straight goals, 2 more in the first frame. The Tigers didn't seem to have much jump in the first 20, twice leaving Rebel forwards wide open on the back door. Polei was the recipient of a nice pass on the first goal, then Michael Spacek was awarded his 8th of the year on the exact same play before the final buzzer sounded. Austin Lotz was spectacular for the Tigers in net despite allowing the 3 goals. He made some jaw dropping saves to keep the Tabbies in it.

The middle frame saw Red Deer extend their lead and scored 4 straight goals, silencing the 4087 people in the Canalta Centre. But then newcomer Clayton Kirichenko finally allowed the Tigers faithful to breath as he broke the shutout bid with a floater from the blue line which found its way over Trevor Martin's shoulder for his 1st as a Tiger and 3rd overall. Red Deer would add to the Tigers woes as Adam Musil potted home a loose puck and climbed the lead to 5-1, which seemed unobtainable to most but Alex Mowbray caught a break and batted home a back hand out of mid air to give the Tigers life heading into the intermission.

Buckle up, the Tigers and Rebels locked into an incredible final 20 minutes. The Mowbray goal to end the 2nd combined with some tense talk in the dressing room led Medicine Hat to jumping out of the gate fast and furious. Medicine Hat's forecheck was great to watch, turning pucks over and not allowing the Rebels to breath. The visitors did get their fair chances, but were outshot in the final period 14-7.

Steven Owre would reward the Tigers for their hard work just before the midway point of the period, Owre blasted home a wrister top shelf to cut into the lead. In the final 3 minutes of the game, Medicine Hat poured it on and a great call by Head Coach Shaun Clouston to pull the goalie with under 4 minutes to play caused the Tabbies Chad Butcher to score his 5th of the year off a scramble play, cutting the Rebel lead to 1. Canalta Centre was rocking with the fans who stayed to cheer on their boys as one final gas by the orange and black was in order. Finally with 1 second left on the scoreclock, Matt Bradley tipped home a point shot by Butcher tying the game at 5, the unthinkable.

Next was the newest edition to the WHL, 3 on 3 overtime, the same format the NHL has adapted as well. The Tigers and Rebels would trade chances but both goaltenders stood their ground and didn't allow a goal on the 8 shots combined. This one was headed to a shootout, the first one for either team.

After Owre and Butcher both missed for the Tigers and Nikolishin just barely squeeked one by Lotz, it was up to Bradley for Medicine Hat to extend the breakaway competition, however he would graze Martin's shoulder and the puck hit the crossbar to end the game, a hard working effort by the Tabbies.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

1. EVAN POLEI - RD - (2G, 1A)

2. CHAD BUTCHER - MH - (1G, 2A)

3. STEVEN OWRE -MH - (1G, 2A)

The Tigers are back in action on the weekend starting with a date with Kootenay on Friday before coming back to the Canalta Centre on Saturday night against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Tickets can be purchased on ticketmaster.ca or by calling 1-855-985-5000.

Check out the Medicine Hat Tigers Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from November 1, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central