Tigers Beat Pats, 6-2, to Take Early Series Lead
Published on March 27, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
Medicine Hat, AB - The Tigers started their journey to a second consecutive Ed Chynoweth cup against the Regina Pats on Friday, March 27 in Co-op Place.
The rough stuff started almost immediately as both teams came ready for some playoff hockey. Scrums after the whistle, both teams finishing their checks, Co-op Place was loving the energy of playoff hockey.
Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll set off Co-op Place with the first goal of the 2026 WHL Playoffs at 9:45 in the first period. Liam Ruck sent a centering pass from the half wall and Gordon-Carroll fired a one-timer from one knee in the high slot for his first of the playoffs.
Regina took a while to respond with the tying goal coming at 19:17 from Mathis Paul.
Both teams played even through the first 20 minutes with Medicine Hat edging out Regina in the shots department, 7-6.
While Regina got the second period scoring started early with a goal from Jace Egland at 1:58, the second period was orange and black the rest of the way through.
Jonas Woo scored a second period hat trick with three goals in 15:27 of play. His first came at 3:23 to tie the game 2-2. Woo sent a rocket of a slap shot from the point through traffic out front for his first of the playoffs.
Woo collected a rebound from Liam Ruck for the eventual game winner and his second goal in a row at 6:29.
Before Woo could finish the hat trick, his defensive partner Bryce Pickford had to get in on the scoring action and tallied his first of the playoffs at 8:55 on the power play. Andrew Basha sent a seeing eye pass through the slot to Pickford in the other circle who one-timed the puck into the net to make it 4-2 Tigers.
To cap off the third period, Woo sent the caps off of Tigers fans in Co-op Place as he scored his third of the period to complete the hat trick at 18:50. Just after the end of a Tigers power play, Woo picked up a rebound from a Veeti Väisänen point shot to make it 5-2 Tigers.
The Tigers outshot the Pats 13-6 in an incredible offensive showing in the second period.
The Pats had a great third period in response, but failed to get on the scoresheet to try and close the gap.
Yaroslav Bryzgalov's first career playoff goal at 14:20 served as the final nail in the coffin for a 6-2 Tigers win as they took a 1-0 series lead.
Special Teams:
PP: 1/4 - 25.0%
PK: 5/5 - 100.0%
Stringam Law Three Stars:
Jonas Woo (3G, 1A) - Medicine Hat
Yaroslav Bryzgalov (1G, 2A) - Medicine Hat
Liam Ruck (2A) - Medicine Hat
Supplement King Hardest Worker:
Josh Van Mulligen
The Tigers will return to Co-op Place on Saturday, March 28th for game two of their first round matchup with the Pats.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2026
- Tempers Flare, Goals Pour in as Cougars Claim Game 1 - Prince George Cougars
- Wheat Kings Fall in Triple OT Heartbreaker in Game One - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Vees Take 1-0 Series Lead with OT Victory - Penticton Vees
- Rockets Beat Blazers, 3-1, in Game One - Kelowna Rockets
- Winterhawks Drop Game 1 to Silvertips - Portland Winterhawks
- Tigers Surge Past Pats in Game 1, Take Early Series Lead - Regina Pats
- Special Teams Play Big Part in Game One as Oil Kings Fall to Blades - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Tigers Beat Pats, 6-2, to Take Early Series Lead - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Silvertips Draw Portland Winterhawks in First Round of WHL Playoffs - Everett Silvertips
- Game 1, Round 1 Preview: Vees vs Thunderbirds - Penticton Vees
- Game Preview: Round 1 - Game 1 vs Pats - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Vancouver Giants to Select 2nd & 4th Overall in 2026 WHL Prospects Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Americans Sign Forward Ryan Sadovia to Scholarship and Development Agreement - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Open Round 1 of 2026 WHL Playoffs on Road vs Cougars Friday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Ness Focused for Strong Offseason Ahead of Senior WHL Season - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Oil Kings and Blades Meet in Game One of 2026 Playoffs - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 1 at Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Preview: Round 1, Game 1 vs. SPO - Prince George Cougars
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