TIGERS LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN FINAL MOMENTS
The Tigers faced off against the Royals for the second consecutive night. On Thursday night, the Tigers defeated the Royals 4-2. Emerson Etem lead the way for the Tigers with two goals and goaltender Tyler Bunz played solid in net stopping 27 of 29 shots.
The first period was fairly even for both squads. The Tigers held a slight lead in shots 13-11 and each team received one power play in the frame. The special teams played a big role in the period but not as one would expect. Emerson Etem scored his eight of the year while killing a penalty only 3:55 into the game. The Royals would later tie the game with a shorthanded goal of their own with only 1:18 remaining in the period. Robin Soudek was the goal scorer for the Royals.
The second period would see a little more action as the play intensified. Victoria would strike first in the period with a power play goal at 7:30. Hayden Rintoul scored his second of the season with the assists going to Logan Nelson and Kevin Sundher. Almost immediately after the goal Emerson Etem was awarded a penalty shot but he was unable to get it past Keith Hamilton. Etem wouldn’t let the missed opportunity slow him down though. Less than two minutes later, Etem scored his second of the game from Scott McKay and Dylan Bredo. Etem would continue to showcase his goal scoring prowess with his hat trick goal three minutes later to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead entering the final period.
Victoria came out quickly again in the third period with their second power play goal. Logan Nelson scored his sixth of the season to tie the game up at three. Penalty trouble continued to plague the Tigers as the Royals scored another power play marker at 4:52 to take the one goal lead. Jamie Crooks was the goal scorer this time for the Royals. With a power play of their own at the halfway point of the third the Tigers showcased their skills with the man advantage. Emerson Etem would add yet another goal to bring his league leading total up to 11. Matthew Konan was credited with the assist on the goal. With the game tied up and the fans getting ready for overtime, Hayden Rintoul got the home crowd out of their seats with his second of the game with only 24 seconds remaining. The last minute goal gave the Royals the 5-4 victory in their third home since relocating to Victoria.
Three Stars of the Night:
1) Emerson Etem – Medicine Hat Tigers
2) Hayden Rintoul– Victoria Royals
3) Keith Hamilton – Victoria Royals
The Tigers’ next game is Saturday night in Vancouver against the Giants. Game time is 7:00 (MST) and can be heard live on CHAT 94.5 FM at tigershockey.com or watched via webcast at livestream.whl.ca.
