FOUR AND ONE
Kelowna, BC — Ending a 5 game road trip in Kelowna against the Rockets is no easy task however the Tigers were looking to make a good road trip into a great road trip with a victory. Just 24 hours removed from a hiccup game against the Kamloops Blazers Friday, the Tigers looked to come back with energy, hard work and put their team depth scoring on display.
Just 56 seconds into the game the Tigers top line got the momentum going for Medicine Hat as Chad Butcher buried his 6th of the season on a great setup from Steven Owre. Owre stole the puck from a Rockets defender behind the net and fed a driving Butcher in the slot, putting it past Rockets starter Michael Herringer. The opening period had the Tigers all over the Rockets as their relentless forecheck and speed caught the Rockets defenders off guard breaking out of their own zone. Medicine Hat created turnovers and did the right things defensively, but when there was a break down Nick Schneider was sensational behind them. Just after the midway point of the period Max Gerlach scored his 11th of the season as Mark Rassell intercepted a pass and sprung Gerlach on the breakaway, scoring under the bar. Kole Lind and Kelowna got on the board on a fluky goal. Lind shot the puck and hit the rear end of his teammate crossing the shooting lane, causing the puck to have severe change of speed, catching Schneider off guard and cutting into the lead 2-1. But before the period ended Zach Fischer potted his 11th of the year on the power play to restore the 2 goal lead.
The middle period was quite even as both teams were looking for the next crucial goal. The game turned into a goaltenders dual as both Herringer and Schneider would go save for save. Schneider absolutely robbed the Rockets on multiple chances and could have 2 or 3 saves in WHL Plays of the Week. Herringer was also up to the task as he made a few glove saves, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Each team had 1 power play in the frame but could not capitalize. It was however at the end of the period with just under 3 minutes to go that Kelowna made it a 1 goal game. A broken play lead to a goal by Kyle Topping who had a wide open net after Tomas Soustal was able to get Schneider out of position, it was Topping’s 4th of the season. Heading into the intermission, despite the chances at both end the game remained 3-2 Tigers.
The even play of both teams spread to the third period as both teams couldn’t get the crucial tying or insurance goal they needed. But then after the midway point David Quenneville who had at least 20 shot attempts on the night found the back of the net for his 10th of the season giving the Tigers 4 skaters with 10 or more goals on the year. As they were announcing the goal the Tigers and John Dahlstrom buries a much needed insurance goal to increase the lead to 5-2. Dahlstrom was setup by a pretty pass from Mason Shaw who after the game was heading to Prince George to take place in the Canada/Russia Series. The game then was put away when Butcher scored his second of the game on another power play to seal the game 6-2 and giving the Tabbies their 4th win on this 5 game road trip.
TIGERS STAT LINES:
- Matt Bradley – 1A
- Zach Fischer – 1G, 1A
- Steven Owre – 2A
- John Dahlstrom – 1G
- Max Gerlach – 1G
- Mason Shaw – 1A
- David Quenneville – 1G, 1A
- Chad Butcher – 2G, 1A
- Mark Rassell – 2A
THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
- Mark Rassell – MH – 2A
- Zach Fischer – MH – 1G, 1A
- Nick Schneider – MH – 23 saves, W
Medicine Hat’s next action is on Saturday November 12th as the WHL takes a week off for the Canada/Russia Series. The Tigers will be back on home ice after a 20 day hiatus away from the Canalta Centre to take on the Saskatoon Blades.
