By Scott Roblin

Tigers allow five straight goals, fall to Wheat Kings in Game 5

Mar 30, 2018 | 10:50 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A great start evaporated for the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday night as they are now in must-win territory to keep their season alive.

Medicine Hat dropped a 5-2 decision to the Brandon Wheat Kings in Game 5 of their Eastern quarter-final series after holding the lead for the game’s first 37 minutes.

Ryan Chyzowski had the lone goal of the first period, receiving an outlet pass from Tyler Preziuso and going bar down on Dylan Myskiw midway through the frame.

That was the centreman’s third goal of the post-season, while Preziuso was able to get his first point of the playoffs and rip the scoreless monkey off his back in the process.

Medicine Hat doubled their lead to 2-0 just 33 seconds into the second period, as Chyzowski netted his second of the night from his line mates Preziuso and Ryan Jevne.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Nov. 15-17

Nov 15, 2024

LIVE UPDATES

Road construction, detours and traffic in Medicine Hat

Nov 15, 2024

In the community

Medicine Hat public library screening movie to open discussion on addiction and recovery

Nov 14, 2024

Hollett’s shutout bid was broken up six minutes into the second, with Ty Lewis hopping on a rebound to score his fourth goal of the series to halve Medicine Hat’s lead.

The Tigers had a number of close chances throughout the period including a David Quenneville cross-bar and an open net missed by Hayden Ostir, but it stayed a 2-1 game.

That was until the 17:01 mark of the period, as Schael Higson unloaded a bomb from the point that was tipped perfectly by Luka Burzan to tie the game at 2-2 heading to the third.

Brandon took their first lead of the game just 19 seconds into the third frame, as Connor Gutenberg received a pass in the slot from Evan Weinger and sniped to give the Wheat Kings a 3-2 advantage.

Wheat Kings forward Linden McCorrister jumped in on the scoring, poking home a loose puck in the crease on the power play less than two minutes later.

Seeing their 2-0 lead turn into a 4-2 deficit, the Tigers were forced to call a timeout and regroup early in the third period.

Medicine Hat turned on the pressure as the third period went along, but Myskiw was rock solid the rest of the way.

Stelio Mattheos added a late empty netter for Brandon, giving the Wheat Kings a 5-2 win to become the first road team to earn a victory in the series.

The Tigers were outshot 31-26 by Brandon on Friday, with Hollett making 27 saves in the loss.

Lewis was named the game’s first star with a four-point performance, while McCorrister also added an additional three points.

Now trailing 3-2 in the series, the Tigers will be facing elimination on Sunday night for Game 6 against the Wheat Kings.

Looking to keep their series alive, Medicine Hat will tangle with Brandon in Dauphin on Sunday at 6:00 pm.