DUBNetwork Feature Game of the night: Edmonton Oil Kings @ Medicine Hat Tigers 7 PM MDT
Last night Mads Sogaard played hero once again for the Tigers as they took Game 3 over the Edmonton Oil Kings in Medicine Hat. Tonight, Sogaard will look to do the same to the Central Division winners, and in turn send them back to Edmonton on the brink of elimination.
Coming into tonight, the Tigers are holding a 2-1 series lead thanks to some superb goaltending as they try and replay the same story in Game 4.
The Medicine Hat Tigers also found offense, and a lot of it last night, to maybe take some of the pressure off a goaltender who’s been their MVP.
In this series, he’s doing something few have been able to do. Rarely, division winners are knocked out in the first round, but thanks to Sogaard’s combined .959 save percentage, there’s no doubt his draft stock is rising while working on ending the Oil Kings season prematurely.
The Edmonton Oil Kings just barely squeaked out as winners of the Central Division some would argue, but nonetheless they’ve yet to really solve the Tigers defensively.
Trey Fix-Wolansky has been merely invisible on the score sheet as well, something that was an absolute anomaly in the regular season. Fix-Wolansky was tied for fourth in league scoring in the regular season notching 102 points but has only been able to collect a single point in three games against Medicine Hat.
Other series to watch:
Saskatoon Blades @ Moose Jaw Warriors (Blades lead series 3-0)
- With the Moose Jaw Warriors on the brink of a sweep at the hands of the Saskatoon Blades, all three games the Blades have taken have been very close. Saskatoon with the exception of an empty net goal has won all three games by a single goal, something that has to be bittersweet for the Warriors who even took the Blades to overtime in Game 1 of the series.
Prince Albert Raiders @ Red Deer Rebels (Raiders lead series 3-0)
- The Red Deer Rebels have been just another victim on a long list of teams destroyed by the WHL’s top team at this point in the series. The Rebels can try and flip the script one last time tonight, or they could be eliminated in front of their own fans.
Spokane Chiefs @ Portland Winterhawks (Chiefs lead series 2-1)
- After an overtime win last night, the Spokane Chiefs took the lead in the series that could go the full length between two arch rivals. Portland could be on the doorstep of elimination with another loss at home tonight.
Victoria Royals @ Kamloops Blazers (Royals lead series 2-1)
- The magic couldn’t materialize last night for the home squad in front of over 4800 fans in Kamloops. The Blazers also suffering another blow today when defenseman Brodi Stuart has himself suspended one game for a controversial check he threw last night.
Vancouver Giants @ Seattle Thunderbirds (Giants lead series 2-1)
- After suffering a bit of a scare, the Giants came out with hot sticks in Game 3 counting six goals past Roddy Ross on 37 shots to take the series lead back before Game 4 tonight. After starting the series on a bad note, it seems the Vancouver Giants powerplay has come alive going 2/3 last night something that will force the Thunderbirds to stay disciplined if they plan on evening up the series in their own barn.
Everett Silvertips @ Tri-City Americans (Silvertips lead series 2-0)
- After having the night off last night, the Silvertips head into Kennewick tonight with full intentions of sending the Americans into a panic by taking Game 3. Tri-City did have a good end to Game 2 in Everett scoring two goals in the process, something they look to carry over on home ice at the Toyota Center.
