Tigers fall in OT after comeback effort

By James Tubb on October 8, 2022.

The Medicine Hat Tigers picked up a point in an exciting comeback effort Saturday night in Portland.

The Tigers trailed 3-1 with less than three minutes left against the Winterhawks before tying it up late to send the game to overtime where the Tigers eventually lost 4-3 on a breakaway goal from Kyle Chyzowski. Beckett Langkow was a rock between the pipes for the Tigers as he turned aside 37 shots Saturday night.

Medicine Hat entered the contest Saturday off a 6-3 win in Everett against the Silvertips on Friday night.

Portland was in control offensively in the first period as they jumped ahead 2-0 on goals from James Stefan at 13:11 and Luca Cagnoni at 16:48. The Winterhawks led 16-7 in shots after the first frame and led the entire game, outshooting the Tigers 41-23.

Medicine Hat answered back 5:02 into the second period with a goal from Tomas Mrsic, his first of the season. A little over seven minutes later the Winterhawks regained their two goal lead on Josh Zakreski’s first goal of the season.

Portland was in control of the pace in the third period as they were holding the Tigers at bay for the majority of the period. Medicine Hat tied the game up at 3-3 with less than three minutes left. Alex Drover notched his second goal of the season on a pass after wiring home a pass from defenceman Dru Krebs.

A mere 50 seconds later with Langkow on the bench for the extra attacker, Dallon Melin tipped home a point shot from Bogdans Hodass for the tying goal. Brendan Lee picked up the other assists on Melin’s first goal of the season and first in a Tigers uniform after spending the first four years of his WHL career with the Red Deer Rebels.

The Tigers carried the momentum into overtime as Krebs had a breakaway chance for Medicine Hat that was turned aside by Portland net minder Dante Giannuzzi. The puck went the other way and ended up on Chyzowski’s stick before he slid it five-hole for the game winner.

Medicine Hat’s comeback effort earned them a point in the loss as Portland remains a perfect 4-0 to start the year.

The Tigers (2-2-1) can enjoy some Thanksgiving dinner Sunday and Monday before they get back to action Tuesday in Seattle against the Thunderbirds for the third game of their U.S. road trip.

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