PLAYOFF RECAP: Tigers Take 3-1 Series Lead with 4-2 Win in Game 4
Final Score: Tigers 4, Pats 2
Tigers lead series 3-1
Regina, Sask. — The Regina Pats are now on the brink of elimination after a 4-2 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers in Game 4 on Wednesday at the Brandt Centre, falling behind 3-1 in their best-of-seven first-round series.
The Pats opened the scoring early in the first period, as Zachary Lansard netted his second of the playoffs at 8:28. Cohen Klassen carried the puck over the line and delivered a perfect feed to Lansard, who made a smooth move to his backhand and beat Carter Casey low to give Regina a 1-0 lead.
Medicine Hat responded quickly. Just over two minutes later, Kade Stengrim finished off a backdoor pass from Jonas Woo to tie the game 1-1. The Tigers then capitalized on a Regina turnover late in the period, with rookie Gavin Kor burying a backhand chance in front to give the visitors a 2-1 lead heading into the intermission.
The Tigers extended their lead in the second period. Liam Ruck made it 3-1 at 11:57 after taking a slick saucer pass from Andrew Basha, slipping it past Taylor Tabashniuk. Minutes later, on the power play, Noah Davidson broke in alone and chipped a backhander over Tabashniuk to push the lead to 4-1.
Regina showed some pushback late in the middle frame. Ruslan Karimov continued his strong series, scoring his third goal in as many games at 15:19. After driving hard to the net on an odd-man rush, Karimov circled behind the goal and tucked in a wraparound to cut the deficit to 4-2.
That would be as close as the Pats would get, however, as a scoreless third period sealed the win for Medicine Hat.
Both teams finished with 30 shots on goal, with Tabashniuk giving Regina a chance with 26 saves, while Casey turned aside 28 shots for the Tigers. The Tigers also held the edge on special teams, going 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Pats were held scoreless on three opportunities.
THE GOALS
First Period
Pats 1-0 — #57 Zachary Lansard (2), assisted by #37 Cohen Klassen, & #55 Ephram McNutt at 8:28 // Klassen stepped in over the line and funned a perfect pass to Lansard, who cut to his backhand and beat Carter Casey low to open the scoring.
Tigers 1-1 — #21 Kade Stengrim (2), assisted by #18 Jonas Woo at 10:40 // Woo grabbed the puck at the line, and sent a back-door pass to Stengrim, who just snuck a shot over Tabashniuk to tie the game.
Tigers 2-1 — #4 Gavin Kor (1) scores. Assists: #29 Ethan Neutens, #10 Yaroslav Bryzgalov at 18:50 // The Tigers capitalized on a Regina turnover inside their zone, where it ended up on the stick of Kor in front. The Tigers’ rookie then sent a low backhander five-hole on Tabashniuk to take the lead with 1:10 to go.
Second Period
Tigers 3-1 — #12 Liam Ruck (2), assisted by #34 Andrew Basha at 11:57 // Basha saucered a pass over the stick of a Pats defender to Ruck, who flipped the puck past Tabashniuk to make it 3-1 for the visitors.
Tigers 4-1 — #39 Noah Davidson (2), assisted by #34 Andrew Basha & #26 Marcus Ruck at 13:21 (PP) // Basha sent a stretch pass to Davidson, who broke in alone and he chipped a backhander over Tabashniuk to make it 4-1.
Pats 4-2 — #25 Ruslan Karimov (3), assisted by #30 Taylor Tabashniuk at 15:19 // Karimov carried the puck into the Tigers’ zone on an odd-man rush, went hard to the net but ran out of space. He the took the puck behind the net and attempted a wraparound that beat Casey to pull the Pats within a pair at 4-2.
Third Period
No scoring.
Shots on Goal
- Pats: 12 – 8 – 10 — 30
- Tigers: 9 – 15 – 6 — 30
Power Plays
- Pats: 0/3
- Tigers: 1/5
Goaltending
- Pats: Taylor Tabashniuk — 26 saves on 30 shots
- Tigers: Carter Casey — 28 saves on 30 shots
Three Stars
- First Star: Carter Casey (28SV)
- Second Star: Ruslan Karimov (1G)
- Third Star: Andrew Basha (2A)
COMING UP
Now trailing 3-1 in the series, the Pats will look to keep their season alive in Game 5 on Saturday at Co-op Place with puck drop set for 7pm. If needed, game 6 will be at the Brandt Centre on Sunday, April 5 at 6pm.
