By Mitch Bach

HIGHLIGHTS: Rebels clinch post-season position with 8-3 win over Tigers

Mar 14, 2017 | 9:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Jordan Roy recorded his first multi-goal game of his career and the Red Deer Rebels clinched a playoff spot with an 8-3 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday night.

All eight of Red Deer’s goals were scored in the final two periods of play.

Tigers forward Matt Bradley opened the scoring at the 8:34 mark of the first period with his 34th of the season. He’s among four Tigers players to eclipse the 30-goal mark this year. 

The second period was not kind for the home team, both on the scoreboard and with a few questionable calls. Red Deer’s Lane Zablocki made the most of a shorthanded penalty shot at the 7:38 mark to tie it up at 1-1. The official in charge of the call got an earful from more than 3300 Tigers fans in attendance. 

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But it didn’t take long for Zach Fischer to regain the Tigers lead. 15 seconds after Zablocki’s equalizer, number 39 connected for his 34th of the season. Fischer and Bradley both netted hat-tricks in the Tigers last game at the Canalta Centre. The two forwards had scored eight of Medicine Hat’s last 11 goals at home at this point.

Brandon Hagel tied the game at two with his 26th of the season crossing the midway mark of the middle frame. 

Tigers defenceman David Quenneville looked to be tripped up on a near breakaway after leaving the penalty box. No call on the play sent Tigers fans back into a frenzy. Red Deer countered on the ensuing play with a goal-mouth tally from Jordan Roy, giving the Rebels their first lead of the game. This was the first of two on the night for the 18 year old, who’s now scored four all season. His last marker came November 25th against Kootenay.

The third period opened with a fleury of goals all over the place. Nick Schneider replaced Bullion in the final frame, but only lasted 8:57 after allowing three goals on seven shots. Red Deer’s tallies came over a span of 2:15, beginning with Hagel’s second of the night to make it 4-2. That was quickly followed up by Auston Glover, Evan Polei and Michael Spacek.

This onslaught of offense was countered by Max Gerlach finding the twine to make it 7-3. But Roy snuffed out any hope for a comeback with his second of the night.

Despite the scoreboard not going their way, Medicine Hat dominated the shot department 40-24.

Michael Bullion allowed five goals on 18 shots over his two stints in the crease. Lasse Petersen made several huge stops in the opening two periods, part of a 37 save performance.

Medicine Hat’s final two games of the regular season are against their Highway 3 rivals, the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Friday night the black-and-orange hit the road before hitting up game #72 at the Canalta Centre on Saturday.