TIGERS DOUBLED UP BY CALGARY 6-3
The Tigers headed to Calgary to take on the Hitmen in their final meeting of the regular season. The two points up for grabs were important for the Tigers as they are battling for playoff positioning in the tight Eastern Conference. The game could also be a preview of a potential playoff matchup if the Tigers jump up a stop to 6th. The Hitmen did their best to make sure that won’t happen as they beat the Tigers 6-3 on Tuesday night.
The game started a little slowly as the Hitmen grabbed the only goal of the first period. Greg Chase scored his 17th of the season 5:25 into the game to give the Hitmen an early 1-0 lead.
The Tigers came out shooting in the second period. They outshot the Hitmen 20-7 in the frame but unfortunately the Tigers couldn’t gain any ground as each team scored three times in the frame. Jake Virtanen put the Hitmen up 2-0 early with his 16th goal of the season. Logan McVeigh responded quickly for the Tigers with his 17th from Hunter Shinkaruk and Curtis Valk. McVeigh would strike again less than four minutes later with his second of the game to tie it up at two apiece. Shinkaruk once again picked up the assist on the goal. Calgary would respond with a quick pair of goals of their own. Chase Clayton and Cody Sylvester each netted a goal in a span of 2:44. Clayton’s was his fifth and Sylvester’s 39th of the season came while shorthanded. Hunter Shinkaruk would add to his game totals with a goal in the final minute of the period to cut the lead to 4-3. Curtis Valk and Logan McVeigh picked up the assists on the goal as their line was really rolling.
The Hitmen continued their strong early play as they scored another quick goal to start the final period. The Hitmen power play unit took advantage of a Tigers penalty and Victor Rask netted his 14th of the season to make it 5-3. Calgary would give itself a little more breathing room before the midway point of the period. Calder Brooks gave the Hitmen a 6-3 lead with his third goal of the season. Boston Leier had a chance to cut into the lead with a penalty shot but he was stopped by Chris Driedger. The Hitmen were able to hold off the Tigers attack for the remainder of the game to win 6-3 in front of their hometown fans.
Cam Lanigan got the start in net for the Tigers. He allowed three goals against on 13 shots before Marek Langhamer came on in relief. Langhamer also struggled as he allowed three goals on 11 shots. Chris Driedger picked up his 35th win for the Hitmen. He allowed three goals against on 34 shots.
On the power play the Tigers went 0 for 3, while killing off 2 of 3 Hitmen power play opportunities.
Earls Three Stars of the Night:
1) Cody Sylvester – Calgary Hitmen
2) Victor Rask – Calgary Hitmen
3) Hunter Shinkaruk – Medicine Hat Tigers
The Tigers’ next game is Friday, March 15th against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the ENMAX Centre. Game time is 7:00 PM (MST) and can be heard live on CHAT 94.5 FM at tigershockey.com or watched via webcast at livestream.whl.ca.
