The Winnipeg ICE had a great start of the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday night as the club continued a nine-game homestand.
However, the offensively gifted Medicine Hat Tigers caught fire in the final 40 minutes as they earned a convincing 4-1 against the ICE.
Despite getting no points, Winnipeg still remains as the top team in the East Division. Medicine Hat, meanwhile, jumped ahead of Lethbridge for second place in the Central Division.
Jackson Leppard opened up the scoring in the game with his 14th of the campaign, just 4:38 into the game.
Carson Lambos and Michal Teply drew the assists.
Winnipeg led 1-0 after 20 on the score clock and they led 15-10 on the shot clock. The ICE also went 1-for-1 on the power play.
The second period brought goals, both of which were scored by Medicine Hat and they came late in the frame.
With 3:11 left in the second, Lukas Svejkovsky tallied his 10th goal of the season. 22 seconds later, Jonathan Brinkman scored his ninth of the season as Medicine Hat took a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes.
Just like the second, Medicine Hat would score two more goals in the third and they came in a hurry. Svejkovsky scored his second of the game to make it 3-1 for the Tigers at the 15:35 mark. Just 25 seconds later, Cole Sillinger scored his 15th of the campaign to give Medicine Hat a three-goal lead.
Winnipeg only had six shots in the third, all of which were stopped by Garin Bjorklund who finished with 34 on the night.
Liam Hughes made 35 saves for Winnipeg in the defeat.
The win was a rebound effort for Medicine Hat. They fell in Brandon one night prior when they gave up a goal with just one second left.
Winnipeg won five straight games from December 27 to January 4. They have since dropped two straight games as they lead Prince Albert by just one point for the top spot in the East Division.
Winnipeg continues its homestand on Saturday against Red Deer. Medicine Hat is on home ice against Moose Jaw on Friday.
ICINGS:
- Winnipeg struggled on the power play, going just 1-for-6. Medicine Hat finished at 50% by going 1-for-2.
- Garin Bjorklund improved his record to 13-3 with the win.
- It was the battle of the Krebs. Dru Krebs won the battle for Medicine Hat as his team won and he also had one assist, while Peyton didn’t get on the scoresheet.
