Hurricanes stumble in third as Tigers roar back to win 6-5 overtime thriller

Centre ice is shown at the Enmax Centre arena, home of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes' chances of winning the Eastern Conference took a hit Friday night as they lost a 6-5 overtime heartbreaker to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The defeat was particularly demoralizing after the Hurricanes squandered a 4-1 third-period lead, built on two goals from Kooper Gizowski and singles from Miguel Marques and Noah Chadwick.

Medicine Hat got a second-period goal from Liam Ruck, and then fought back, getting goals from Tanner Molendyk, Gavin McKenna, Oasiz Wiesblatt and Kadon McCann to take a 5-4 lead.

Miguel Marques scored his second of the night to tie it at five apiece with six and a half minutes remaining and then in extra time, Wiesblatt scored his second goal of the night to give the Tigers the win.

Lethbridge outshot Medicine Hat 36-34.

With 87 points, Lethbridge now trails the first-place Tigers by five points and the Calgary Hitmen by three points.

Next up for the Hurricanes is a Saturday night showdown with the Hitmen. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.