WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Tigers Season Comes to An End in Tie Breaker

March 23, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB -- No one would have thought the Medicine Hat Tigers would be in the tie breaker spot back in January as the Tabbies sat in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. The Tigers traded some pieces away and acquired some in return and came to together as a team and as one, making the incredible climb back but falling just short in the tie breaker game.

Medicine Hat fed off the 4335 fans who packed the Canalta Centre Tuesday night as the energy was high and up tempo. Normally it is a veteran who gets the opening goal, but rookie Caleb Fantillo potted the opening tally as he banked a puck past Payton Lee to give the Tiger fans something to cheer about. Just 1 minute later Chad Butcher, the Tigers leading scorer during the regular season, potted the puck off a rebound shot from linemate Zach Fischer. Medicine Hat held a nice 2-0 lead but a Tigers turnover on the power play caused Luke Bertolucci to steal the puck and snap home a shorthanded marker to cut into the lead.

The goal seemed to spark the Oil Kings as they came roaring back with 3 unanswered goals which would be the story of the game in this back and forth affair. At the end of 20 minutes the Tabbies were trailing 3-2.

In the middle frame it was another tight checking period as the playoff atmosphere could be felt throughout the building. Nick Schneider and Payton Lee stood tall including Lee's incredible saves off Max Gerlach, David Quenneville and Chad Butcher in the frame. Medicine Hat was generating chances on the Oil Kings who never seemed to have an answer at times. There was no scoring in the period as it remained a 3-2 game.

The scoring explosion happened once again in the final period, the do or die period for the Tabbies as they needed at least 2 goals to get the lead. Andrew Koep quieted the building when he scored just 1:54 into the period to extend the Oil Kings lead to 4-2. Just before the midway point in the period Mark Rassell was sprung on a partial break by Alex Mowbray and he blew by the defender to tuck home a back hand through the five hole of Lee. Right after the Rassell goal Mason Shaw tied the game on a rebound from the point shot of Clayton Kirichenko, sending the Tigers fans into a frenzy.

Edmonton would stay strong, trying to capitalize on the Tigers mistakes and and unfortunate bounce put Max Gerlach in the penalty box. Edmonton would score on the man advantage just 11 seconds later. The goal would be the eventual game winner as a late power play and late push by the Tigers couldn't find the tying goal, ending their season.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

1. TY STANTON - MH

2. BRIAN WILLIAMS - MH

3. MACK SHIELDS - MH

The Medicine Hat Tigers staff would like to thank all the fans for their support this season. We also would like to congratulate Ty Stanton, Mack Shields and Brian Williams on great WHL careers, it was a pleasure to watch you play.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2016


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