Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat Tigers dominate Edmonton Oil Kings to win season opener

Sep 21, 2024 | 10:50 PM

The Medicine Hat Tigers outscored the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-2 to win a dominant season-opening game in front of an electric crowd at Co-op Place on Saturday night.

Head Coach Willie Desjardins said it was a great opportunity for the Tigers to show off the depth of its roster with several star players away at NHL training camps.

“It was good for the young guys to get a chance to play,” Desjardins told CHAT News after the Tigers dominated the Oil Kings with 41 shots on goal.

“I thought they played really well tonight, so it’s a good sign for our future.”

The Tigers’ Markus Ruck got it started when he scored his first goal of the Western Hockey League just shy of eight minutes into the first period.

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An Oil Kings attempt with just over three minutes to go in the first spent several minutes under review before being denied.

Soon after, No. 4 Matt Paranych netted the Tigers’ second point — and his first as a Tiger — to grow the home team’s lead.

That was followed up by an unassisted goal from No. 12 Liam Ruck seconds later.

The Oil Kings answered back late in the second period, finally getting a point on the board.

The Tigers responded quick, with No. 11 Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll scoring moments later.

Edmonton’s Joe Iginla, son of hockey star Jerome, scored late in the third period but it was too little, too late.

Jack Kachkowski got the Tigers’ first penalty of the season at just under five minutes into the opening period.

Ethan McCallum — one of three goalies the Tigers have as viable options — stopped all but two of the 25 shots on net from the Oil Kings.

McCallum’s mother Dana was at the game to support her son.

“I’m just so happy they got the win,” she told CHAT News.

There were 4,822 people in attendance for Saturday’s game.

That atmosphere that kind of crowd brings is great energy for the team, according to Desjardins.

“We got great fans here in Medicine Hat, we really do, they’ve supported us for a number of years,” he said.

“It does help the guys when they’re out and they’re cheering.”

An energized fan base and a strong roster is a good mix for the organization’s Memorial Cup bid, Desjardins said.

“We’re proud of our city, and it would be great to get it.”

Photos

Here are photos from the game.