Tigers Open Series with a Tough 2-1 Victory
Published on March 29, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
Medicine Hat, AB -- It's playoff time and Tigers fans are all too familiar with that saying as they have made the postseason dance 13 straight times. Saturday night, the beloved Medicine Hat Arena was buzzing as fans packed the rink cheering on their orange and black. It was a hard fought game by both clubs but in the end Medicine Hat would be victorious.
If you were a fan of the game of hockey then the opening frame of this first round matchup was for you. It was fast paced, hard hitting and gitty hockey. The type of style the Tigers have played all season. The Rebels, despite losing 4 of the games in the regular season, were out to take the early momentum. However that was squashed by the terrific performance of Marek Langhamer. The 20 year old, in his final WHL season, is looking to carry the Tigers all the way and he stopped 31 saves on this night.
The scoreless tie would be broken six and a half minutes into the first period as Steven Owre found a trailing Kyle Becker and he would roof it past Rebels starter Rylan Toth. For Becker it was his 3rd career playoff tally and first in 2 seasons. The Tigers would hold the 1-0 lead into the break in what was an even frame.
The middle frame was carried by the Tigers and their defensive play. A welcome back present to Anthony Ast were a few bruises for his efforts as he sacrificed the body to block a few shots early in the frame. The Tigers were getting great efforts from all 20 guys in the lineup Saturday, crucial to a team's success in the playoffs. The game was a penalty free game until just past the midway point when the Rebels Josh Mahura was called for tripping after Chad Labelle gave a second effort in front of the net. The Tigers would make the Rebels pay for the mistake cashing in on a Cole Sanford wrist shot. The 50 goal man himself took a pass from linemate Trevor Cox, who made an incredible play to keep the puck in the zone on a clearing attempt, after a few short passes Sanford rifled one home in his so called sweet spot Tigers fans have seen him bury many times before. The Tigers would hold a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
The final period saw a huge push back by the visitors as they attempted to come back in this one. Led by the Scott Feser line, the Rebels were buzzing early and often. Langhamer was forced into making some big saves and the Tabbies got some puck luck as well, with the Rebels visibly frustrated after some shifts. Medicine Hat would get their 2nd power play of the game after Wyatt Johnson hooked Ty Stanton on the forecheck preventing a pass. The ensuing man advantage was unsuccessful in what could've been a turning point in the game.
Red Deer however would climb back into the game just past the midway point as the Feser line was at it again, Feser threw a puck on net and Grayson Pawlenchuk would bat home a loose rebound past Langhamer to cut into the lead 2-1. Medicine Hat would hang on with some great play by Langhamer and Stanton on the way to a 2-1 victory in the 2015 WHL Playoff first round.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2015
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