A season high five-game winning streak for the Calgary Hitmen came to an end Saturday night with a 7-3 loss to the host Medicine Hat Tigers.
Chase Valliant, Oliver Tulk and Carson Wetsch scored for the Hitmen with Tulk extending his goal scoring streak to five games. Calgary jumped out to an early 1-0 lead then rallied from a 3-1 second-period deficit to tie the game before Medicine Hat pulled away for good.
Gavin McKenna paced the Tigers attack scoring a hat-trick while adding an assist. Bryce Pickford chipped in a pair of goals for the home side with Liam Ruck and Hunter St. Martin adding singles.
The Hitmen outshot Medicine Hat 28-27 and split goaltending duties as starter Eric Tu made eight saves before being relieved by Kason Kobelka, who turned aside 12 shots.
The night also featured milestones for a pair of Hitmen forwards as Maxim Muranov played career game 200 in the Western Hockey League and Ethan Moore career game 150.
The Hitmen (12-8-3-1) will wrap up their three-game weekend at the Saddledome on Sunday in the Enmax Teddy Bear Toss game against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Game time is 4 p.m. with the doors opening at 2:30 p.m.
Fans are asked to bring small- or medium-sized stuffed toys to the game and toss them on the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal. There is a charitable request for almost 30,000 bears to be shared by more 70 local agencies this holiday season.
Tickets to the game are available at https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/