TIGERS SEASON COMES TO AN END

Category: ArticleApril 10, 2013

Facing elimination the Tigers hosted the Oil Kings in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals on Wednesday night at the Arena. Coming off a 9-2 loss in Game 3, the Tigers were looking to stay alive in the series and extract a little revenge. The Tigers played hard and held the lead for most of the game but in the end the Edmonton Oil Kings would finish off the series with a 4-2 comeback victory.

Hunter Shinkaruk got the Tigers off to a good start with an early shorthanded goal at the 5:41 mark of the first. Kyle Becker picked up the lone assist on Shinkaruk’s third of the playoffs. The Oil Kings would respond later in the period with their first on the board. Trevor Cheek scored his fifth of the playoffs from Henrik Samuelsson and Dylan Wruck.

The Tigers had a solid second period and finished the frame up 2-1. Boston Leier picked up his second goal of the playoffs while the Tigers were on the power play. Leier tipped home Kyle Becker’s point shot to send the crowd into a fury. Logan McVeigh also picked up an assist on the goal.

The Tigers battled hard and held on to their 2-1 lead up until the middle of the third. Henrik Samuelsson scored his fifth of the playoffs at the 12:40 mark. Dylan Wruck picked up the lone assist on the goal. And 39 seconds later, Tigers’ fans sunk a little into their seats as Griffin Reinhart scored his third postseason goal to give the Oil Kings their first lead with under seven minutes to play. Dylan Wruck recorded his third assist and Edgars Kulda picked up the other helper on the go ahead goal. The Tigers kept battling hard and pulled their goalie in the final moments to tie things up. Unfortunately, Henrik Samuelsson launched the puck from his own end and secured the Oil Kings victory with an empty net goal.

Cam Lanigan got the start in net for the Tigers. He allowed three goals against on 41 shots in his final WHL game. Laurent Brossoit picked up his eighth win of the playoffs having made 32 saves.

On the power play the Tigers went 1 for 6, while killing off all three Oil Kings‘ power play opportunities.

Earls Three Stars of the Night: