By Scott Roblin

Tigers season ended by Loschiavo winner in Game 6 overtime

Mar 31, 2019 | 9:04 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – With the flick of the wrist by Vince Loschiavo, the Medicine Hat Tigers saw their season end in the blink of an eye for the third straight year in overtime.

Loschiavo sent a dagger through the hearts of the Tigers less than three minutes into overtime on Sunday night, giving the Edmonton Oil Kings a 4-3 victory in Game 6 of their series to advance to the second round.

It’s the third time in three years Medicine Hat has seen their season ended in the extra frame, following Tyler Wong’s OT winner in 2017 for Lethbridge and Brandon’s Linden McCorrister last year.

Edmonton caught the Tigers napping on the power play four minutes into the contest, with captain Trey Fix-Wolansky breaking in shorthanded and putting a backhand shot past Mads Søgaard to open the scoring.

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The Tigers were able to begin cycling the puck a few minutes later however, which led to a lane opening up for defenceman Trevor Longo.

Firing a shot at Edmonton’s Todd Scott, Longo’s point blast was tipped home by Corson Hopwo for his first career WHL marker to tie the game at 1-1.

Controversy erupted seven minutes into the second period, as Ryan Jevne unloaded a wrist shot that was tipped home by James Hamblin seconds after Scott was bumped behind his net.

After a review by officials, it was determined that Scott had ample time to get back to his net before dropping his own stick just before the puck crossed the line, giving Medicine Hat its first lead of the night.

The Tigers found the back of the net again 37 seconds later, with Hamblin locating a rebound and sending the Canalta Centre into a frenzy to make it a 3-1 score.

Edmonton was able to halt the momentum shift soon after though, as Wyatt McLeod’s point shot pulled the Oil Kings back within a single goal after a short review by officials.

Referees had to break out the video review again in the first minute of the third period, as a shot from Connor McDonald hit the post and then trickled past a diving Mads Søgaard on the goal line to tie it at 3-3.

Overtime was needed and 2:43 into the extra frame, Loschiavo received a pass from Fix-Wolansky on a two-on-one to end the Tigers season.

It was the final game in Tigers stripes for Jevne and defenders Dylan MacPherson and Linus Nassen, who depart Medicine Hat as overagers.

Søgaard stopped 33 shots in his final appearance of the season for the Tigers, while Scott made 26 saves to pick up the win.

Edmonton will now advance to the second round of WHL playoffs to face either the Lethbridge Hurricanes or Calgary Hitmen, who will be heading to a winner-take-all Game 7.