Tigers fall 3-1 to Saskatoon Friday

By James Tubb on March 8, 2024.

The Medicine Hat Tigers held their own but couldn’t dull the Saskatoon Blades.

The Tigers made a third period comeback bid but fell short, losing 3-1 Friday night.

Medicine Hat came into the contest, their fifth in eight days, off a 5-1 road loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Saskatoon opened the scoring late in the first period with a point shot from Tanner Molendyk that snuck five-hole on Zach Zahara. Trevor Wong and Ben Saunderson had the assists on Molendyk’s ninth.

They added to their lead in the second period, with a backhand, breakaway goal from Anaheim Ducks prospect Egor Sidorov. His 46th put the Blades ahead 2-0 after 40 minutes.

Medicine Hat got on the board 12:06 into the third period with a power play goal. Andrew Basha fired a shot on net from the high slot and scored his 28th. Gavin McKenna and Oasiz Wiesblatt had the assists, giving McKenna 90 points.

Medicine Hat pushed but the Blades’ Fraser Minten scored an empty netter for the 3-1 final.

Zahara made 25 saves in the loss. Medicine Hat went one-for-two on the power play.

The Tigers (35-21-5-2) look to split the weekend with a Saturday night contest at Prince Albert against the Raiders.