Tigers fall 8-3 in Winnipeg Saturday

By James Tubb on January 14, 2023.

The Medicine Hat Tigers had a hot start in Winnipeg Saturday night that was quickly put to ice.

After jumping ahead 2-0, the Tigers allowed eight straight goals and Winnipeg won 8-3 for their 30th win on the year. Medicine Hat entered the game off a 4-3 win in Brandon on Friday against the Wheat Kings.

Bogdans Hodass opened the scoring in the game with a power play blast from the point 3:33 into the contest. Dru Krebs and Tomas Mrsic had the helpers on Hodass’ fifth goal of the year. A mere 54 seconds later the Tigers capitalized again with a quick blast from Cayden Lindstrom off a face off play. Hunter St. Martin and Krebs had the assists on Lindstrom’s 11th of the year.

After that, it was all Winnipeg as they poured on eight straight goals for the win.

Zack Ostapchuk scored at the 12:08 mark, his first as an Ice since being acquired ahead of the trade deadline from the Vancouver Giants. Less than two minutes later Connor McClennon fired home his first of three goals on the night. With the man advantage and only 1:54 later, McClennon sacred his second.

Easton Armstrong scored 2:27 into the second period which ultimately stood as the game winner. McClennon completed his hat trick at the 12:22 mark in the second period, and Ostapchuk found the back of the net for his second of the night 4:37 later.

The Ice had two more goals in them, Conor Geekie scored 2:34 into the third period and Vladislav Shilo scored on a power play less than three minutes later.

Medicine Hat had the last say on the scoreboard as Mrsic scored his sixth goal of the year, finding the back of the net at 6:39. Brayden Boehm had the lone assist.

Between the pipes for the Tigers, Beckett Langkow made 14 saves and allowed five goals in 33:45 of action before Evan May took over the net. May, who was in net for Friday’s win, also made 14 saves while allowing three goals. Across the ice from them, Mason Beaupit had 30 saves for Winnipeg.

The Tigers (15-21-5-1) are back in action Tuesday night when they host the Prince George Cougars at Co-op Place for a 7 p.m. contest.