Sillinger makes some history with goal

By RYAN MCCRACKEN on March 30, 2019.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken

EDMONTON

Some players spend their entire career hoping to make history with their club, league or within their sport.

It took Cole Sillinger three games.

The Medicine Hat Tigers affiliate became the youngest player in franchise history to net a playoff goal when he opened the scoring in his team’s 5-0 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarter-final on Tuesday at the Canalta Centre – joining Trevor Linden and Steve Tsujiura on the short list of affiliate playoff scorers.

“It’s just a huge honour joining those two amazing guys,” said Sillinger. “It’s something I looked forward to, coming here, doing my role and maybe potting one.”

Sillinger eclipsed not only every Tiger in team history with the goal, but his father A- NHL alumnus Mike Sillinger – as well. Mike netted his first Western Hockey League goal as 16 years old while playing for the Regina Pats before going 11th overall in the 1989 NHL draft and spending 17 seasons as a professional player with a record 12 different teams.

“He was the one who texted me first, to say congrats and all that,” said Cole. “We had some laughs a little later when I called him and gave him a little jab.”

The milestone moment came 15 minutes into Game 3 on Tuesday night at the Canalta Centre, an eventual 5-0 win. After joining the rush and entering the zone, Sillinger cut to the left circle, picked up the puck and threaded it under Oil Kings goaltender Dylan Myskiw’s glove – setting off a vehement celebration in the corner.

“He was excited,” said Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston. He’s played well, he’s played hard, he’s going a great job for us.”

Sillinger spent the bulk of his season competing with the Regina Pat Canadians, where he logged a league-leading 76 points through 39 games to earn a slew of awards and accolades. The Regina product closed the book on his midget season with rookie of the year honours, as well as top forward, leading scorer, a place on the first all-star team, and of course, league MVP.

Sillinger has been living with teammate Trevor Longo since joining the Tigers to start the playoffs and says he’s starting to feel like an official member of the team.

“He’s kind of showing me the way and making me feel more comfortable around the guys and stuff,” said Sillinger. “I’m just getting more comfortable with the lifestyle and coming to the rink every day. I’m not in school right now, so it’s nice to get to the rink and get to know some of the older guys and stuff like that.”

Longo – who has three assists in the series against Edmonton- says Sillinger’s skill on the ice is easy for most to see, but the young standout brings a lot to the dressing room as well.

“He’s a great kid,” said Longo. “Obviously you see what he’s doing on the ice, he’s an unbelievable player, but he’s a great kid. He laughs a lot, he’s kind of coming out of his shell and he’s really nice to live with.”

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