Tigers limit Royals in 5-1 win Friday

By James Tubb on November 15, 2024.

NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Harrison Meneghin tracks the puck to make a save in the first period of Friday night WHL action at Co-op Place against the Victoria Royals. Meneghin made 13 saves in a 5-1 Tigers’ win

The Medicine Hat Tigers head into three weekend on a winning note.

The Tigers held the Victoria Royals to 14 shots, winning 5-1 for the third victory in a row.

Medicine Hat won 2-1 at Edmonton over the Oil Kings on Wednesday. Head coach Willie Desjardins liked his team’s effort in the win.

“I thought we played well defensively, our defence had a good game,” Desjardins said. “Meneghin was pretty solid back there but overall, the penalty kill was good. I thought it was pretty good game.”

Medicine Hat took control of the first period, scoring a pair of goals, outshooting Victoria 15-6.

Just 4:21 into the period, Hunter St. Martin battled for the puck along the boards in the Victoria end. He won the battle and sent a pass to Oasiz Wiesblatt who then sent it to Gavin McKenna in the slot for a one-time goal, much to the delight of the 3,602 in attendance.

The goal was his 50th in his career. He reached a pair of milestones in the Tigers’ last home game, surpassing 100 career assists and 150 points in the 8-4 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors on Nov. 9.

Medicine Hat made it 2-0 less than five minutes later.

Jonas Woo threw a puck on net in the Victoria end and Liam Ruck, in front of the net, made a touch-pass to twin brother Markus who tapped in his third of the season.

Victoria opened the scoring in the second period. Nolan Stewart fired a puck from the circles that bounced off a defenceman and snuck five hole on Harrison Meneghin to make it a 2-1 game at 5:51.

Meneghin held his own the rest of the way, finishing the night with 13 saves for his seventh win of the season.

“It feels always amazing to win, especially, when you have a game like that or a team pretty much dominates in front of you,” Meneghin said.

The Tigers regained the two-goal lead 44 seconds later.

McKenna had the puck in the slot and while skating to the corner, spun and backhanded a pass that slipped five hole on Jayden Kraus for his second goal of the game. Veeti Väisänen had the lone assist in McKenna’s 13th of the season.

Medicine Hat ended the period with a power play goal from a returning face.

Just 16 seconds into the man advantage, Ryder Ritchie wired a shot top-shelf for his first of the season and first as a Tiger. Bryce Pickford and Wiesblatt had the assists.

Ritchie was all smiles recounting the goal.

“That felt great, get one the first game back,” Ritchie said. “It definitely helps confidence and the comfort level. So I’m happy I got one tonight, and I got to help the boys win.”

The Tigers scored the lone goal of the third, with Kadon McCann knocking in a rebound at 9:00 for the 5-1 final. Mat award and Väisänen had the assists on McCann’s second of the season.

Across the ice from Meneghin, Kraus made 32 saves.

The Tigers win the faceoff battle, 32-28. Medicine Hat went one-for-three on the power play, keeping Victoria scoreless on their three chances.

Friday night also marked the return of Brayden Boehm to Medicine Hat. The 20-year-old forward was traded to the Royals on Oct. 5 in a corresponding move with the Tigers acquiring Meneghin.

The Tigers (12-9) are off until Tuesday when they head to Saskatoon to face the Blades in the first of a four game in five day stretch.