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Tigers fall to Hurricanes 3-2 to close out regular season

Mar 17, 2018 | 10:45 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Revenge for the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday night, as the Medicine Hat Tigers dropped a 3-2 decision in their regular season finale against the Hurricanes.

The Tigers came into Saturday’s contest fresh off a 4-2 win over the Hurricanes in Lethbridge in their final road game of the regular season.

Like Friday night, the Tigers sat many of their older players nursing minor injuries ahead of playoffs, including captain Mark Rassell, and defencemen Dylan MacPherson and Linus Nassen.

It was also return to the lineup for netminder Jordan Hollett, who played his first game since suffering a lower body injury in early February.

Tyler Preziuso added to his two-point night on Friday against the Hurricanes with the game’s opening goal on Saturday, scoring just 25 seconds into the first period.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead into the second period, with Preziuso netting his second of the night with a shorthanded marker to double Medicine Hat’s lead early in the frame.

Just over seven minutes later though, the Hurricanes finally solved Hollett with Zachary Cox scoring his second of the season to cut the Tigers lead to one.

Following a waived off goal midway through the period, Lethbridge was able to get the equalizer off a rebound that was picked up by Jordy Bellerive for his 46th of the year to tie the game at 2-2 with 2:41 left in the second.

Lethbridge took their first lead just 1:14 into the third frame, with Egor Zudilov throwing a perfect saucer-pass to Logan Barlage on a two-on-one to tap home the go-ahead goal for the ‘Canes.

A scary moment with a little over eight minutes left, as James Hamblin took a hit at centre ice and was slow to get to his feet. He immediately left for the dressing room and did not return in the third.

Medicine Hat pressed hard with the extra attacker but just couldn’t solve Logan Flodell, dropping a 3-2 decision to Lethbridge to even up their weekend series.

Following the game, over-agers Rassell, Kristians Rubins, and Michael Bullion were honoured by the home fans with the three star selection in their final regular season showing in the WHL.

Winding up the regular season with a record of 36-28-8, the Tigers sit atop the Central Division standings for the second straight season.

Playoffs lie ahead for the ‘Tabbies’ as they will have close to a week off before their first playoff series kicks off against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Game 1 will be held at the Canalta Centre as the Tigers will try to use home ice to their advantage, puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm on Friday.