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Cubs rookie Taylor shines in thrilling victory over Colts

Sep 24, 2017 | 11:17 AM

DIDSBURY, AB – A dramatic start to the 2017-18 Heritage Junior Hockey League season for the Medicine Hat Travelodge Cubs on Saturday night, kicking off the campaign against the Mountainview Colts.

Medicine Hat’s first goal of the season came on the power play just over three minutes into the contest, with Kian Simonson giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

Less than a minute later, Cubs forward Mackenzie Fritzler potted his first of the year to put Medicine Hat up 2-0 in under five minutes of action.

The Colts broke through just over halfway through the first period, thanks to an unassisted marker from Quintin Thorburn to cut the Cubs lead in half.

A hectic opening period continued with 1:09 remaining in the frame, as Fritzler scored his second of the night to extend Medicine Hat’s lead to a pair once again.

The last laugh in the first period was had by Mountainview however, shrinking the Cubs lead to 3-2 off the blade of Colton Anderson just 12 seconds later while on the power play.

That goal would prove to be historic for the Colts veteran, scoring his 243rd career point which is the most in HJHL history.

It was an offensive explosion for the Colts early in the second period, getting goals from Damian Vickers and Raegen Keim to give the home fans something to cheer about with a 4-3 lead over the Cubs.

With just under five minutes to play in the middle frame, the Colts boosted that lead to 5-3 with Erran Thompson scoring his first goal of the 2017-18 campaign.

Medicine Hat finally stopped the bleeding with 3:29 left in the period off the tape of Riley Florkowski, giving the Cubs some life down 5-4 heading to the third period.

Following the intermission, the Cubs went to work early with Bailey Taylor tying up the game at 5-5 and swinging the pendulum back to Medicine Hat’s side.

This season opener needed overtime, which was decided with less than 30 seconds remaining before a shootout.

Taylor had an evening to remember, as the rookie scored his second goal of the game to give the Cubs a thrilling 6-5 win in overtime.

Returning netminder Brendan Patterson was outstanding in the win, making 43 saves on the night to grab his first ‘W’ of the year.

Medicine Hat will try to ride the emotions of Saturday’s win through the week, with their next contest coming in their home opener next Saturday against the Stettler Lightning.

Puck drop between the Cubs and Lightning is set for 7:45 pm.