GAME SUMMARY

 

The Tigers hosted the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings for this first time this season. The Oil Kings took both of the previous games this season in Edmonton. The Tigers were hoping to turn the tables and use the home ice to their advantage. Despite an early first period lead the Tigers weren’t able to hold on to victory as the Oil Kings won 5-1 for their eighth straight victory.

The Tigers scored the lone goal of the first period to take an early 1-0 lead into the intermission. Curtis Valk netted his team leading 28th of the season at 5:24 of the opening frame. Kyle Becker and Matt Staples picked up the assists on the goal.

The Oil Kings’ offence started to click in the second period with the power play working as a catalyst. Mitchell Moroz tied the game up at 7:13 while they had the man advantage. Former Tiger Reid Petryk and Cody Corbett picked up the helpers on Moroz’s 28th of the campaign. Just over two minutes later the Oil Kings took their first lead of the game when Brandon Ralph’s wrist shot found the top corner of the netting. The goal was his fifth of the season and Cole Benson found the score sheet with the assist on the go ahead goal.

The Oil Kings continued to add to their lead in the third period with a trio of consecutive goals. Reid Petryk made it a two goal game with his 14th of the season despite being on the penalty kill. Cody Corbett and Curtis Lazar made the shorthanded goal possible with some nice passing. Lazar would get in on the goal scoring a few minutes later with his team leading 29th of the season. Brett Pollock and Edgars Kulda picked up the assists for their first points of the game. The Oil Kings would secure the win with their fifth goal while only 4:12 remained on the clock. Mitchell Moroz scored his second of the game to tie Lazar for the team lead with 29. Henrik Samuelsson picked up the first assist and the Cody Corbett grabbed the second assist for his third of the night.

Marek Langhamer was in net for the Tigers and faced 27 shots in the loss. Despite allowing five goals Langhamer had a strong game and made a number of huge saves throughout. Tristan Jarry picked up his league leading 33rd win in net for the Oil Kings. He allowed only one goal against on 26 shots.

The Tigers went 0 for 4 on the power play and killed off 3 of 4 of the Oil Kings’ power play chances. 

Earls Restaurant Three Stars of the Night:

1. Reid Petryk – Edmonton Oil Kings
   
2. Curtis Lazar – Edmonton Oil Kings
   
3. Chad Butcher – Medicine Hat Tigers
   

 

Ryobi Hardest Working Player – Curtis Valk

The Tigers’ next game is Tuesday, February 4th when the Tigers start their eastern road trip with a game against the Regina Pats. The game will begin at 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.