The Kootenay ICE (25-38-3-1) were in need of a big performance on Sunday vs the Medicine Hat Tigers (34-24-8-0). They had dropped seven straight games and fallen back in the playoff race in the Central Division.
They played well on Sunday and fired 30 shots on the Tigers net in the first two periods and 41 overall, but Michael Bullion was game for them and turned away 38 of 41.
At the other end, Duncan McGovern stopped 24 of 28, but ultimately it was the Tigers special teams that spelled doom for the ICE.
The Tigers went two-for-five on the power play and notched a late short handed marker that would end up being the different in their 4-3 win in Cranbrook.
Colton Kroeker opened the scoring in the second period with an unassisted marker, but the Tigers roared back.
Elijah Brown notched a marker on the power play with 5:31 left in the second and Ryan Chyzowski added an even-strength one 52 seconds later to take a 2-1 lead.
Josh Williams added another power play goal before the second ended and Kootenay was down 3-1, despite out shooting the Tigers 30-19.
Bobby Russell scored his first WHL goal and it came short handed, give the ICE some life.
With Kootenay on the power play after Ryan Jevne took a boarding penalty, it seemed like they might be able to tie the game and pick up a big point.
Instead James Hamblin scored short handed and put the Tigers up 4-2.
Jonathan Smart scored with 1:39 left but that would be all they could get by Bullion.
The Tigers are now six points up on Lethbridge for the Central Division lead with the Hurricanes having two games hand.
The ICE now sit seven points behind Red Deer for the third spot in the Central bracket with only five games left. Time is running out for them. They next play on Friday in Lethbridge.
