By Mitch Bach

Bullion, Owre shine in Tigers opening victory over ‘Canes

Apr 7, 2017 | 10:13 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A playoff game 26 years in the making is one Michael Bullion will remember for a long time.

‘The Bullion Wall’ was given a standing ovation after capturing his first career playoff shutout, as the Medicine Hat Tigers jumped to a 1-0 series lead over the Lethbridge Hurricanes with a 4-0 victory.

19-year-old Bullion now has four career blanks; his first ever also coming over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on February 11th.

But what’s a historical, long overdue playoff game without a few technical difficulties? A score clock malfunction limited the fans view of the score throughout the game. Canalta Centre staff dusted off an old analog scoreboard, propped it up at the scorekeeper’s bench, and broadcasted it through a live feed on the jumbotron.

John Dahlstrom opened the scoring with his fourth of the post-season less than five minutes left in the first period. That ended up serving as the game winner.

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Bullion, although not tested often, made several key saves to preserve the blank. That includes a cross-ice stop off a ‘Canes forward early in the second, to which Chad Butcher turned around and scored moments later to make it 2-0.

Steven Owre scored his second of the playoffs late in the middle frame, giving Medicine Hat a commanding 3-0 lead after forty minutes. Owre, playing in his final year in the WHL, added on two assists to finish with a game-high three points and the night’s first star.

Zach Fischer tacked on the Tigers final tally with 4:59 to go. 

Bullion’s gridiron play in the blue-paint was partnered with stellar defencive work by his blue-liners in front. Medicine Hat surrendered just four shots on goal in the first period, part of just 16 in total. On the other end of the ice, Stuart Skinner was tested with 37 Tigers shots.

As expected, fans for either team packed up the lower bowl of the Canalta Centre, creating an electric energy throughout all 60 minutes of play. 

Medicine Hat will has the opportunity to take a massive 2-0 series lead on Saturday night, hosting the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 7:30 p.m. at the Canalta Centre.