We head down to Medicine Hat for Game 6 where the Oil Kings have the opportunity to finish off the Tigers. The last time we were in Medicine Hat, the two teams would split the two games. Todd Scott has taken the reigns of the net since Game 4 and he’s yet to lose. Scott would get the start in Game 6 against of course Mads Sogaard. As of today, we know the winner of this series will play the Calgary Hitmen in the second round.
Period 1
Unlike in Game 5 where we saw two goals in the first 40 seconds. This game had a much slower pace to it. Maybe a bit of hesitation from both teams in such an important game. Medicine Hat would get the first powerplay opportunity in this game. Liam Keeler would catch Kemp in the mouth with a high stick.
Trey Fix-Wolansky would start the scoring in Game 6 after he’d walk in all alone and put it past Sogaard. The shorthanded goal would be unassisted. The Oil Kings are 2-0 these playoffs when scoring the first goal. Edmonton would successfully kill off the penalty.
Trevor Longo shortly after the powerplay ending would throw it on the net. Corson Hopwo would get a stick on it and deflect it into the net giving us a 1-1 game 6 minutes into the game.
The rest of the first period was pretty much back and forth with the Tigers holding a small clock advantage heading into the second period. Shots were 11-10 in favor of Medicine Hat.
Period 2
The first half of the second period was back and forth with no good opportunities. Medicine Hat would strike first though on a controversial call, Scott would get bumped by a Tiger player behind the net. He recovered, then the Tigers would pot one. It was immediately waved off after the refs talked to each other though, they overturned the call. Confusing, because technically the WHL doesn’t have goaltender interference review. Call on ice is supposed to stand. Tigers would go up 2-1 and the goal would be credited to James Hamblin.
Josh Williams would take an undisciplined penalty right off the ensuing faceoff and the Tigers would make him pay. James Hamblin would tally again and give the Tigers a 3-1 lead, this time on the powerplay.
Edmonton would bounce right back 25 seconds later with a Wyatt McLeod slap shot from the point. This play would be reviewed again to see if Andrew Fyten knocked it in with a high-stick, however, it was determined he didn’t.
Matthew Robertson would take a holding penalty with 8:30 left in the second. Not really sure where the hold was, Robertson never touched him his freehand. Nonetheless, the Tigers would go back on the powerplay. They wouldn’t capitalize and the remainder of the period was simply back and forth neutral zone hockey.
The Tigers would take a 3-2 lead into the third period as they look to stave off elimination.
Period 3
31 seconds into the third period the Oil Kings would rip a shot off the bar, it would hit Sogaard in the back and dribble across the line. However, they did review it to see if it was swept off the line. Conner McDonald would get credited for the goal and we’d have a 3-3 tie.
We’d reach the halfway point of the third still tied at 3’s. The Oil Kings would hold a slight edge in shots. 28-26. Medicine Hat needs to dig deep and find a goal if they want to force a Game 7 on Tuesday. 6:46 left to go in the third period Daniel Baker would take a hooking penalty giving the Oil Kings their first powerplay of the game. They would get a ton of chances, but couldn’t capitalize.
Edmonton would dominate the second half of the third period, ending the period with a 34-28 shot advantage. For the first time in this series, we’ll be heading to sudden death overtime.
Overtime
Overtime didn’t last long as 2:43 into the overtime period. Trey Fix-Wolansky and Vince Loschiavo would come in on a two-on-one and Trey would feed Loschiavo perfectly and he’d put it in the back of net sending the Oil Kings to the second round and the Tigers home.
Three Stars of the Game:
3rd - Linus Nassen (MH)
2nd - Dylan MacPherson (MH)
1st - Ryan Jevne (MH)
Classy move by the Tigers to give the three stars of the game to their overagers who just played their last WHL game.
