VIC 2 - MH 4

Hunter Shinkaruk’s 2 goals paced the Tigers to a 4-2 victory over Victoria in Medicine Hat Saturday night.

After Victoria did not allow the Tigers to get a shot on goal until the 7:39 mark, Curtis Valk opened the scoring on the power play at 9:13.  Jesse Pauls fired in his 3rd of the year for the Royals at 17:49, but with 18 seconds left Scott McKay put the Tigers ahead 2-1 after 20 on an odd man rush.  The Royals best scoring chance was by Logan Nelson who got in alone, but Tyler Bunz did the splits to make the save.

Hunter Shinkaruk scored a pair in the 2nd, the first on a rebound at 8:44 and then his 30th of the year with 35.9 seconds left.  The Royals responded just 30 seconds later as Hayden Rintoul put a point shot past Bunz with 5.2 seconds left on the power play.

It was a scoreless 3rd period as the Royals had 3 power plays, but were unable to muster anymore offense falling 4-2.  The Tigers take the 3 game season series 2 games to 1.

Assistant Coach for Victoria, Enio Sacilotto gave his thoughts on game:

 

Victoria went 1 for 6 with the man advantage, Medicine Hat 1 for 5 as the Tigers outshot the Royals 29-18 on the night.

Jared Rathjen in his 3rd career start made 25 saves, still looking for his first WHL win.  Tyler Bunz wins his 19th of the season on a 16 save effort.

The 4th place Royals wrap up a 4 game road trip picking a pair of points, and are now winless in 4.  After 37 games, their record now stands at 13-20-2-2 (30 points).

With an assist Kevin Sundher extends his point streak to 7 games (3+7=10 points).  Steven Hodges also pushes his point streak to 5 games with a helper (6 points).  Jesse Pauls 3rd goal in 2 nights gives him 7 points in his last 6 outings.

After the Christmas break the Royals will play a pair in Portland on Dec 28th, and 30th before returning home for a tilt against the Calgary Hitmen on January 3rd.