Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Medicine Hat 4 Kootenay 1

From Chris Wahl ... http://www.kootenayice.net/article/tigers-stifle-ice-tuesday
Two goals in a ten-second span, and a 26-save performance from Marek Langhamer helped the Medicine Hat Tigers defeat the Kootenay ICE 4-1 Tuesday at Western Financial Place.

Chad Labelle broke a 1-1 tie at 8:21 of the third period before Cole Sanford and Trevor Cox added insurance markers as the Tigers handed the ICE its second straight setback.

Both teams enjoyed chances through a scoreless first period, with Kootenay holding a 10-9 edge in shots on goal through 20 minutes.

Medicine Hat who opened the scoring 4:34 into the middle frame on a power-play. Defenseman Tyler Lewington snuck towards the net from the right point before receiving a cross-ice pass to set up his fifth goal of the season from just outside ICE goaltender Wyatt Hoflin's crease.

The home side pressured Langhamer, with the Tigers netminder making several clutch saves including a sprawling stop on Jaedon Descheneau from point-blank range. Kootenay found an equalizer with 18 seconds left in the period after Levi Cable was sent in alone on Langhamer, scoring his 11th goal of the season.

The visitors capitalized in quick succession just before the midway mark of period three. After Labelle sent a wrist shot into the goal for his third tally of the season, Cole Sanford found the back of the net ten seconds later to put Medicine Hat up 3-1.

Cox scored into an empty net with 2:05 left on the clock to round out the scoring.

Langhamer collected his second victory of the season, while Hoflin made 34 saves for the ICE.

Kootenay captain Sam Reinhart was held without a point for the first time this season ending a 14-game scoring streak, while Descheneau's 13-game streak also ended Tuesday.

The visiting team has won each of the three meetings between the Tigers and ICE this season.

UP NEXT: the ICE play twice at home this weekend, beginning with a matchup Friday against the Prince Albert Raiders. Game time is 7:00 pm.