Heartbreak in Red Deer
December 12, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
Medicine Hat, AB - The Medicine Hat Tigers looked to the sky for answers on Friday night as they took on the Red Deer Rebels. It seems the bounces haven't gone the Tigers way during the 2015-16 campaign. An injury depleted lineup, great effort and a great performance by Nick Schneider in goal wasn't enough to get by the Rebels.
Red Deer got out to a quick start on Friday night, controlling the play as they fired 19 shots towards the Tiger net. Nick Schneider got the start and was spectacular in the frame, stopped 18 of those that came his way. The only one that got by him was an Ivan Nikolishin shot, his 18th of the season. Medicine Hat would come close on their opportunities but couldn't get one past Rylan Toth, very similar to the game on Wednesday. Affiliate call-up Josh McNeil played in the game, basically his home town and where McNeil plays his minor hockey, the rookie had a good game Friday. Heading into the break, Medicine Hat would trail 1-0.
The middle frame was very similar to the game on Wednesday, a defensive battle between the two clubs, not giving an inch as the shot count went down to a 10-8 advantage to the home side. Medicine Hat gave a great effort in the period but couldn't find the scoresheet in what was a dull second period for the fans in attendance.
In the final frame the dramatics would happen with less than five minutes remaining in this one. First it was Nick Heid who would get into a tussle with Rebels forward Evan Polei as Polei would take exception to a Heid hit. The two dropped the gloves with the Tigers headed to the power play because of an extra instigator penalty. Seven seconds later the Rebels would take another penalty and Medicine Hat had a 5 on 3 for a full 2 minutes. The top unit headed out on the ice and it was Max Gerlach netting his 15th of the season on the man advantage, tying the game at 1's.
Then heartbreak settled in for the Tigers. With just 51 seconds left in a great team effort by the orange and black, Nelson Nogier had a perfect time for his first goal of the season, finding a way to get the puck past Schneider to take the late lead and despite a push by the Tabbies in those final seconds, they were unable to tie the game once again.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
1. NELSON NOGIER - RD - (1G, 1A, GWG)
2. NICK SCHNEIDER - MH - (41 SAVES)
3. RYLAN TOTH - RD - (28 SAVES)
Medicine Hat is back in action Saturday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first of three straight games against the same opponent. Saturday is also the Tigers Teddy Bear Toss presented by the Medicine Hat News.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2015
- Pats win over Lethbridge Hurricanes - Regina Pats
- Alex Schoenborn Scores Teddy Bear Goal, But Hawks Fall 3-2 - Portland Winterhawks
- Brandon Earns 5-1 Win over Rockets on Eastern Swing - Kelowna Rockets
- Jesse Lees sets off an avalanche of bears on Teddy Bear Toss Night - Prince Albert Raiders
- Game Day: Rockets Road Trip Continues in Brandon - Kelowna Rockets
- Rockets Eastern Road Trip Continues Tonight - Kelowna Rockets
- Game 30: December 12 vs. Edmonton - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Notes: Roadie to Cranbrook - Swift Current Broncos
- Heartbreak in Red Deer - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Home Not So Sweet for Wheats - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Everett gets past Tri-City - Everett Silvertips
- Blazers Kick Off Road Trip With 6-2 Win - Kamloops Blazers
- Royals Fall to Giants - Victoria Royals
- Bear Blasts Chiefs with Hat Trick - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Silvertips Slip Past Americans 3-2 - Tri-City Americans
- Baer Scores Twice in 4-1 Win - Vancouver Giants
- Pats lose 4-3 - Regina Pats
- Hawks Earn Another Comeback Win with 5-4 Victory over Prince George - Portland Winterhawks
- Nogier with a Late Goal; Rebels Win 2-1 over Tigers - Red Deer Rebels
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