By Scott Roblin

Benjafield’s late winner sinks Tigers in Game 2 comeback

Mar 24, 2019 | 8:54 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Linus Nassen had a career night offensively for the Medicine Hat Tigers on Sunday, but a high powered offence from the Edmonton Oil Kings rose to the occasion.

Edmonton dominated the shot category for the second straight night at Rogers Place, engineering a third period comeback to pick up a 4-3 victory over the Tigers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final series.

Coming off a 49-save showing in Saturday’s Game 1 victory, Tigers goaltender Mads Søgaard stopped another 37 shots but couldn’t halt the Oil Kings attack late.

The Oil Kings opened the scoring 2:26 into the game off the odd-man rush, with Liam Keeler finishing off a centring pass from former Tiger Josh Williams.

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Following a roughing penalty dished out to Oil Kings netminder Dylan Myskiw, the Tigers went to work on their first power play of the night.

Captain James Hamblin was able to serve up a pass on a platter for Nassen at the point, who ripped home his first of the post-season with 8:24 left in the period.

Nassen wasn’t done however, as he needed just three minutes to net his second of the game with a wrist shot from the left face-off circle to give Medicine Hat its first lead of the night.

Edmonton’s power play got the chance to shine midway through the second period though, with Conner McDonald teeing up a one-timer for Vince Loschiavo who was able to blast it past the glove of Søgaard.

It seemed as though Edmonton and Medicine Hat would head to the intermission tied, but the Tigers were able to regain the lead thanks to former Oil King Brett Kemp’s rebound marker with 1:18 left.

Oil Kings sophomore Carter Souch was able to find the equalizer for Edmonton seven minutes into the third period with his first career playoff goal, sniping from the right circle.

That set the stage for veteran forward Quinn Benjafield, who sniped the game-winner with 2:56 left in regulation to get Edmonton back in the series.

Nassen posted just his second two-goal game of his WHL career in the loss, finishing his evening with a game-high three points.

Edmonton once again piled on the shots against the Tigers, combining for 91 shots over two games.

With the series tied at 1-1, the series will shift to the ‘Gas City’ for the next two games starting with a mid-week Game 3 at the Canalta Centre.

Medicine Hat will host its first playoff game of the spring on Tuesday night, with opening face-off set for 7:00 pm.