CLARKWATCH: Follow news and updates regarding sanctions on Mayor Clark.

Stankowski stands tall, Tigers fall to Hitmen in Calgary

Feb 15, 2019 | 10:03 PM

CALGARY, AB – Not much going the way of the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday night, dropping a 3-1 decision against the Calgary Hitmen in the first game of a home and home series.

Hitmen netminder Carl Stankowski limited the Tigers to just one goal on 30 shots, while Medicine Hat was unable to convert on the power play twice in their second consecutive loss.

After the Tigers and Hitmen went to the first intermission scoreless, but it was Calgary striking first with a Mark Kastelic power play goal 1:40 into the second frame.

Just six minutes later, Calgary defenceman Egor Zamula ripped a shot off the post past Tigers netminder Jordan Hollett to give the Hitmen a 2-0 lead.

Medicine Hat’s Elijah Brown was able to break a five-game pointless drought just before the second intermission however, putting his 11th of the season past Stankowski to pull the Tigers to within a goal.

It stayed a 2-1 game until the late stages of the third period, as Medicine Hat took a timeout with 1:14 left in regulation and pulled Hollett for an extra attacker.

Calgary was able to win the ensuing face-off however, with the puck eventually finding Carson Focht who added an empty net goal for the Hitmen.

Hollett allowed two goals on 30 shots, while Stankowski earned first star honours with his 29-save performance.

Falling back to a 31-20-3-2 record, the Tigers have been past by the Lethbridge Hurricanes for second place in the Central Division with 68 points.

Medicine Hat and Calgary wraps up their home and home set on Saturday night back at the Canalta Centre with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 pm.