Tigers Get Back In The Win Column With 5-2 Victory Over Oil Kings
Edmonton, AB – The Medicine Hat Tigers took on their central division rival the Edmonton Oil Kings for the first time this season on Sunday, September 27th in Rogers Place.
A fast paced first period saw both teams garner double digit shots in the first period, with Medicine Hat outshooting Edmonton 11-10.
Each team had a single power play in the first period, with neither able to capitalize on their first man advantages of the game.
The opening goal came from Yaroslav Bryzgalov in just his second game back from Vancouver Canucks Training Camp. Bryzgalov picked up a rebound from a Reily Pickford point shot for his first of the year at 8:27.
It took nearly half a period for the next goal to come, this time from the home team. Edmonton’s Olli Wahlroos scored his first WHL goal at 17:21 to tie the game 1-1.
The Tigers responded quickly with Mace’o Phillips‘ first career goal at 17:49. The Calgary Flames prospect one-timed a backdoor pass from Josh Evaschesen to give the lead back to the Tigers before the first intermission.
The second period action started early with Brayden Holberton‘s first goal as a Tiger at 3:16. Holberton snuck in behind the goalie to tap in a loose puck and put the Tigers up by two.
Just 35 second later, Aaron Obobaifo cut the Tigers lead in half with his second goal of the year at 3:51.
The central division rivalry was alive and well on Sunday afternoon as the remainder of the second period was highlighted by three big fights. Reily Pickford (6-foot-1), Denis Pasler (6-foot-7), and Brayden Holberton (6-foot-4) all got their licks in to turn up the energy in Rogers Place.
The physical tone brought even more energy to an already fast-paced game as both teams continued to generate some dangerous scoring chances. Edmonton outshot Medicine Hat 10-6 in the second period, but trailed by a goal at the second intermission.
Edmonton tried their best to tie the game but Cash Christie stood tall in the crease, making some big saves to keep them at bay.
The Oil Kings took a few costly penalties at the end of the third period in a close game when they were trying to tie the game up for extra time. Tyson Moss was the first to take advantage as he tallied his second goal of the season on the power play at 13:05 to extend the Tigers lead.
Soon after, Bryzgalov found the back of the net for the second time of the evening at 17:06, this time on the power play.
Those last minute goals diminished the remaining hopes for the Oil Kings that they would be able to tie the game, and the Tigers closed out a 5-2 win. They outshot Edmonton 10-6 in the final frame.
Christie had a great night in net for the Tigers, stopping 24 of 26 shots faced in just his second career start.
Special Teams:
- PP: 2/5 – 40.0%
- PK: 3/3 – 100.0%
Stringam Law Three Stars:
- Yaroslav Bryzgalov (2G) – Medicine Hat
- Aaron Obobaifo (1G, 1A) – Edmonton
- Mace’o Phillips (1G) – Medicine Hat
The Tigers are back in action on Saturday, October 3rd where they will host the Prince Albert Raiders in Co-op Place for a rematch of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.
