By Matt Nemeth

Hurricanes hand Tigers first playoff loss, tie series

Apr 8, 2017 | 11:13 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Giorgio Estephan scored a hat trick as the Lethbridge Hurricanes finally broke the Bullion wall with a 7-4 win Saturday night at the Canalta Centre handing the Tigers their first loss of the postseason.

Zach Fischer got things off to a fast start for the Tigers with his 5th goal of the playoffs only 20 seconds in. Then he collected his 6th of the playoffs just over two minutes later, wiping away a delayed ‘Canes penalty in the process.

Steven Owre was the setup man on both of Fischer’s tallies recording his 5th and 6th assists of the postseason.

Lethbridge finally solved Michael Bullion at the midway mark of the first with two top shelf snipes from Estephan and Alec Baer less than 30 seconds apart to make it a 2-2 game. The goals were the first the Tigers have allowed these playoffs in the first 20 minutes of a game.

Medicine Hat skateboarders humanitarian efforts in Mexico to hit the big screen

9h ago

UPDATED

Steam-powered passenger train passed through Medicine Hat on Friday

Apr 26, 2024

Medicine Hat Public Library Comic Con taking place May 4

Apr 26, 2024

Some bad blood between the two teams would spill over shortly after that. Brennan Menell picked up a double minor after spearing Tigers forward Matt Bradley, and Clayton Kirichenko was sent to the box for a hit from behind.

Ryan Jevne would score on the Menell spearing man advantage, but Lethbridge captain Tyler Wong responded with another goal over Bullion’s shoulder to send the ‘Canes into the locker room all knotted up with the Tigers after the first.

In the second James Hamblin redirected a Max Gerlach shot in midair into the back of the Lethbridge net to give the Tigers the lead again.

His first career playoff goal however was answered by Dylan Cozens of the ‘Canes who picked up his first career postseason marker making it 4-4, which is how the second period came to an end, but not before Fischer got fed up with Lethbridge taking liberties with him and dropped the gloves with Zane Franklin.

In the third a too many men on the ice call against the Tigers at the 12:09 mark would prove costly. On the ensuing power play Estephan whacked home the puck after a mad scramble in front of the net. His second of the night proving to be the game-winner.

A pair of empty net goals by Estephan and Tanner Nagel would seal the deal.

Game 3 goes Tuesday night in Lethbridge at the Enmax Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm.