Brendan Lee celebrates during the Medicine Hat Tigers' 8-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings on March 22, 2023. (Photo From www.tigershockey.com/Randy Feere)

By Chris Brown

Tigers blow past Oil Kings 8-2

Mar 23, 2023 | 10:51 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Eight was more than enough for the Medicine Hat Tigers to strengthen their postseason chances on Wednesday night.

The Tigers scored an 8-2 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings and gave themselves a three-point cushion over the Swift Current Broncos for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Tigers and Broncos end the regular season with games Friday in Swift Current and Saturday in Medicine Hat.

Brendan Lee’s first career Western Hockey League hat trick led the way for the Tigers, who also got goals from Gavin McKenna, Andrew Basha, Hunter St. Martin Oasiz Weisblatt and Dallon Melin. Beckett Langkow made 13 saves to pick up the win.

With 67 points to the Broncos’ 64, two points in the weekend set against Swift Current will clinch a playoff spot for the Tabbies. The Tigers could also move up to seventh by the end of the season, as they sit just one point back of the Calgary Hitmen going into the weekend.