
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.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2016
- Stanton Inks AHL Contract - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hitmen Defenceman Jake Bean Named WHL Eastern Conference Most Sportsmanlike Player - Calgary Hitmen
- Twenty-Five Hawks Alumni Have Suited up in the NHL this Season - Portland Winterhawks
- Bailie Named to 2015-16 Western Conference 1st All-Star Team - Kelowna Rockets
- Rylan Parenteau Named Eastern Conference All-Star - Prince Albert Raiders
- Barzal and Bear Named Western Conference First Team All-Stars - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Brooks Named Conference All-Star - Regina Pats
- Wheat Kings Recognized by WHL - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Shirley, Ingram Among Players on 2015-16 WHL All-Star Teams - Kamloops Blazers
- Parker Bowles Named WHL First-Team All-Star - Tri-City Americans
- Anholt & Kisio Draw Accolades - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Royals Headline List of WHL Western Conference Award Winners - Victoria Royals
- Fram Named to Western Conference Second All-Star Team - Spokane Chiefs
- WHL Announces Conference Award Winners - WHL
- Nielsen & Burke Named All-Stars - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Royals Begin Playoff March with Chiefs on Friday - Victoria Royals
- WHL Announces 2015-16 All-Star Teams - WHL
- PBR Returns to Prince Albert in May - Prince Albert Raiders
- Royals' Tyler Soy Named CHL Player of the Week - Victoria Royals
- Royals' Tyler Soy Named CHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Tigers Will Select 5th Overall in Bantam Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Americans to Select 6th in 2016 WHL Bantam Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Oil Kings Secure Sixth Consecutive Playoff Berth - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Games 1 and 2 at Prospera Place Friday, Saturday - Kelowna Rockets
- WHL Completes 2016 Bantam Draft Lottery - WHL
- Giants to Pick Second in Bantam Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Lightning Sign Thomas - Vancouver Giants
- Parking Advisory for March 25-26 - Prince Albert Raiders
- A Battle Between the Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- 2016 WHL Playoffs on Shaw: Round 1 Schedule - WHL
- Tigers Season Comes to An End in Tie Breaker - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Luke-ing Good - Edmonton Oil Kings
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.
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