TIGERS FALL 5-4 IN LETHBRIDGE
The Tigers travelled to Lethbridge to take on the Hurricanes for the first time since the Tigers swept the home and home series to open the season. The Tigers pressured the Hurricanes and doubled them in shots 50-25. Unfortunately for the Tigers the advantage in shots didn’t translate on the scoreboard. The Hurricanes rode strong goaltending and capitalized on their scoring chances to squeeze out a 5-4 victory over the Tigers.
The first period was a busy one with five goals being scored. Despite the high number of goals being scored in the period neither team lit the lamp until the midway point of the period. Kris Khenkel opened the scoring with his first career WHL goal in his first game at 9:58. The lead would only last five seconds though as Tyler Lewington scored his sixth of the season on a long shot from nearly center ice. Steven Owre picked up the lone assist on the goal. Kyle Becker would give the Tigers their first lead of the game a few minutes later when he put home a rebound for his fifth of the year. Curtis Valk and Miles Koules picked up the assists on the go ahead goal. The Hurricanes’ special teams would put them back in the lead later in the period. Kolten Olynek scored his third while on the power play to tie the game and Nick Walters gave the Canes the lead with his first of the season while a man down.
The Canes padded their lead in the second period despite being outshot 16-4 in the frame. Tyler Bell scored his second of the season only 3:10 into the second to put the Canes up 4-2.
The Tigers would battle back in the third period and tie the game with goals from Miles Koules and Cole Sanford. Koules sniped his 12th of the season off a nice pass in front from Chad Butcher. Steven Owre picked up his second assist of the game on the goal as well. Sanford tied the game at four apiece at 7:01 with a shorthanded goal. Sanford outskated the defender and beat the goalie five hole on a nice move. Curtis Valk picked up the assist for his second of the game. The Hurricanes would break the tie on the very same power play though. Only 17 seconds after Sanford tied the game, Josh Derko wacked away at the rebound in front of the net to put home his ninth of the season. Derko’s goal would hold out to be the game winner and gave the Hurricanes their seventh win of the season.
Daniel Wapple got the start in net but lasted only a period after allowing three goals against on 13 shots. Zac Robidoux came on in relief in his first regular season game in the WHL. Unfortunately he didn’t fare much better allowing two goals against on 12 shots. Robidoux was credited with the loss. Teagan Sacher got the start in net for the Hurricanes. He had a great game making 46 saves on 50 shots to pick up his third win of the season.
The Tigers went 0 for 6 on the power play and killed off 2 of 4 Hurricanes’ power play chances.
Earls Restaurant Three Stars of the Night:
- Macoy Erkamps – Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Miles Koules – Medicine Hat Tigers
- Josh Derko – Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Tigers’ next game is Saturday, December 28th when the Tigers host the Hurricanes in the back end of the home and home series. The game will begin at 7:30 pm (MST) and can be heard live on CHAT 94.5 FM at tigershockey.com or watched via webcast at livestream.whl.ca.
