TIGERS FALL 9-2 TO OIL KINGS
The Tigers hosted the Edmonton Oil Kings in Game 3 in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals on Tuesday night. The Tigers were looking to get back in the series on home ice after losing the first two in Edmonton. Unfortunately Game 3 wouldn’t go as planned though as the Oil Kings took a 3-0 lead in the series with a 9-2 win.
The Oil Kings dominated the first period scoring three goals while leading the shot category 22-2. Henrik Samuelsson opened the scoring only 1:39 into the period with his third of the playoffs. Samuelsson then also added a power play goal after the midway point of the period to make it a two goal game. Martin Gernat finished off the scoring in the period with another power play marker just over two minutes later. The goal was his first of the postseason.
The second wasn’t much better for the Tigers unfortunately. The Oil Kings added another four goals during the period to make it a 7-0 game heading into the final frame. Michael St.Croix made it a four goal game less than two minutes into the period with his fifth of the playoffs. Martin Gernat followed that up with his second goal of the game a few minutes later. St.Croix would also strike again midway through the period with his second of the game to make it 6-0. Travis Ewanyk closed out the period with his third of the postseason to make it a 7-0 game.
The Tigers turned things around a little in the third period. Logan McVeigh broke Laurent Brossoit’s shut streak early in the third period with his second goal of the postseason. Matt Staples and Spenser Jensen picked up the helpers on the goal. The Oil Kings would add a pair of quick goals at the midway point of the third to give them a 9-1 lead. Trevor Cheek and Cody Corbett were the goal scorers for the Oil Kings. The Tigers would beat Brossoit again later in the third with a their first power play goal of the series. Curtis Valk netted this third goal of the playoffs from Elgin Pearce and Hunter Shinkaruk. The goal cut the lead to 9-2 and that’s how this game would end.
Cam Lanigan started the game in net and was replaced early in the second period after he allowed four goals on 27 shots. Marek Langhamer came on in relief and allowed five goals against on 30 shots during the remainder of the game. Laurent Brossoit continued his strong playoff run picking up his seventh win of the playoffs making 25 saves on 27 shots.
On the power play the Tigers went 1 for 8, while killing off 4 of the 7 Oil Kings‘ power play opportunities.
Earls Three Stars of the Night:
1) Michael St. Croix – Edmonton Oil Kings
2) Cody Corbett – Edmonton Oil Kings
3) Henrik Samuelsson – Edmonton Oil Kings
