Thunderbirds fall to Tigers in overtime | WHL

The Medicine Hat Tigers defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-3 in overtime at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat, Alberta, on Saturday night.

Mark Rassell scored 11 seconds into overtime to give the Tigers the win.

The T-Birds went 4-1-1-0 on their six-game road trip through the Central Division, earning nine of a possible 12 points.

Seattle returns to Kent ice this Friday against the Tri-City Americans at 7:35 p.m. at the accesso ShoWare Center.

Medicine Hat (10-6-0-0) went in front 1-0 on a power-play goal by Dave Chyzowski at 9:59 of the first period. The Tigers took a 2-0 lead 1:26 into the second period on a goal from Hayden Ostir.

Seattle (9-5-1-1) cut the Tigers’ lead to one goal at 9:48 of the second. Nolan Volcan carried the puck up the ice from the Seattle zone and passed it to Blake Bargar on the right wing. Bargar skated into the right circle and put a hard wrist shot on goal that beat Medicine Hat goalie Michael Bullion over the glove.

Medicine Hat took a 3-1 lead at 9:45 of the third period on a goal from Rassell.

The T-Birds cut the Tigers’ lead to one at 11:15 of the third on Turner Ottenbreit’s second goal of the season.

The T-Birds were pressing late for a tying goal and pulled goalie Liam Hughes 1:53 left in the period. Ottenbreit tied the game 3-3 at 18:18 with a slap shot with the extra attacker on the ice. Sami Moilanen had the puck to the right of the net and swept it on net. The puck went through the crease and up the left boards to Ottenbreit, who crossed the puck to Austin Strand at the right point. Strand sent it right back to the left point. Ottenbreit had a lot of room and skated into the left circle. His slap shot beat Hollett over the blocker for his third goal of the season. Strand’s assist extended his point streak to seven games.

The T-Birds outshot the Tigers 14-11 in the third period and 36-27 in the game.

Hughes had 23 saves on 27 shots and his record is now 4-2-1-0.

Notes

This Friday’s game will feature the T-Birds first Pub Night of the season. Fans can get 10 tickets, 10 beers and 10 hats for the game for $220. Tickets can be purchased on the T-Birds website. … The T-Birds host the Kamloops Blazers at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. The game will feature the annual Fred Meyer Turkey Shoot where any woman over the age of 18 years old can win a free turkey by making a shot from the blue line after the game. Fred Meyer Turkey Shoot tickets can be purchased on the T-Birds website. … Single-game tickets for the regular season are on sale online on the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. … Season tickets ,may be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Medicine Hat, Chyzowski 8 (Haden, Ostir), 9:59 (pp). Penalties – Neuls, Sea (roughing), 5:38. McNelly, Sea (cross checking), 8:44. Katzalay, Sea (tripping), 13:59. Gally, MH (interference), 15:52.

Second period – 2, Medicine Hat, Ostir 5 (Rassell), 1:26. 3, Seattle, Bargar 3 (Volcan), 9:48. Penalties – Quenneville, MH (roughing), 12:22. McNelly, Sea (goaltender interference), 15:03. Hollett, MH (delay of game-served by Ostir), 16:08.

Third period– 3, Medicine Hat, Rassell 13 (Ostir, Hamblin), 9:45. 5, Seattle, Ottenbreit 2 (Terretta, Hamaliuk), 11:15. 6, Seattle, Ottenbreit 3 (Strand, Moilanen), 18:18. Penalties – Rubins, MH (high sticking), 4:42. Hamblin, MH (tripping), 12:01.

Overtime – 7, Medicine Hat, Rassell 14 (Hamblin, Quenneville), :11. Penalties – No penalties.

Shots on goal – Seattle 9-13-14-0 36, Medicine Hat 7-8-11-1 27. Goalies – Seattle, Hughes 27 shots-23 saves (4-2-1-0); Medicine Hat, Bullion 21-20, Hollett 15-13 (6-3-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 0-5; Medicine Hat 1-4. A – 3,182. Referees – Jason Bourdon, Reagan Vetter. Linesmen – Darren Holeha, Greg Sarauer.