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Medicine Hat Tigers

Tigers Take Down Rockets 5-3

January 11, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB -- The road trip is over, long days on the bus are done and the final time the Tigers make their way to the West Coast this regular season was capped off in dramatic fashion as the Tabbies took down the WHL's top ranked team, the Kelowna Rockets.

The Tigers knew the Rockets would be a big test on the season, especially playing their 3rd game in as many nights Saturday. The Rockets prior to the game honored both Madison Bowey and Josh Morrissey (who was making his Rockets debut) for winning the Gold Medal at the World Juniors. The Rockets would have their full lineup together for the first time this season including the Tigers first look at Leon Draisaitl.

The first period was a good up and down affair as both teams played to feel each other out. The Tigers would carry the play and outshoot the Rockets early, holding a 7-2 mark at one point. Chad Butcher, who has been flying on this road trip would get the Tabbies on the board first. Butcher took a pass from Markus Eisenschmid and tried to pass the puck cross ice, the puck hit a leg and came right back to Butcher who potted 13th of the season through the five hole of Jackson Whistle. That was the only tally in the period, but not to be outdone was the Tigers fourth line of Mark Rassell, Alex Mowbray and Matt Staples who had several glorious chances of their own which could have put the Tigers up by 2 or 3.

The Tigers knew in the middle frame that the Rockets would have a big push back, no one wants to be losing in their home arena in front of a sold out crowd. After Kyle Burroughs was called for an early high sticking penalty, the WHL's best power play unit went to work and were able to capitalize as Justin Kirkland netted his 15th into an open cage after a great cross crease pass. Kelowna took the lead just 3 minutes later on a Madison Bowey goal, his 9th on the year.

Kyle Becker would head off for slashing just past the midway point of the second period, putting the Rockets back on the power play with a 2-1 lead. But, the lead would be vanquished as Cole Sanford and Markus Eisenschmid would score shorthanded goals on the same penalty to all of a sudden put the Tigers up 3-2. Before the period was over, newcomer Kyle Burroughs took exception to a hit on fellow D partner Tyler Lewington and decided to drop the mitts with tough guy Tyrell Goulbourne. A short bout but Burroughs held his ground. The period would end with the Tigers up 1 and outshooting the Rockets 23-15.

The final frame was a tense period for the sold out crowd at Prospera Place. The Tigers played well defensively as the Rocket sent wave after wave of attack. Kelowna would come close within the first 5 minutes of the period, but many chances went off a leg or a stick and just wide, the Tigers were getting the breaks. The Tabbies knew they needed to be disciplined against the Rockets and that mindset slipped in the third as Lewington and Becker were sent to the box to give the Rockets a long 5 on 3. Kelowna's newest big player Leon Draisaitl would get a lucky "hometown" bounce off the back wall after Bowey shot the puck wide. The puck came right onto the stick of Draisatil and he potted his 3rd on the season to tie the game at 3.

The Tigers also have a good power play at times, especially when leading scorer Trevor Cox is quarterbacking. Cox and the power play unit would be successful with 8 minutes left in the game as Markus Eisenschmid would tip in his 2nd of the game and 10th of the season off a Cox slap shot, giving the Tigers the lead and deflating the Prospera Place crowd. The Rockets would push but Marek Langhamer with the help of the defence, would hold off Kelowna and Cole Sanford would add an empty netter to solidify a 5-3 victory to end the long road trip 2-1-0-0.

TIGERS FAST FACTS

It took until 20 seconds left but Dryden Hunt recorded an assist on the empty netter, extending his point streak and assist streak to 13 games Tommy Vannelli has a mini 3 game point streak after recording his 3rd assist in as many games With a goal in the 1st, Chad Butcher extended his point streak to 4 games since coming back from injury Marek Langhamer has won his last 4 starts The Tigers held the Rockets top players (Josh Morrissey, Madison Bowey, Leon Draisaitl, Rourke Chartier and Nick Merkley) to 2G, 4A and a glaring -9 rating combined

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Markus Eisenschmid - MH - (2G, 1A)

2. Madison Bowey - KEL - (1G, 2A)

3. Kyle Burroughs - MH - (2A, +4 rating, fight)

The Tigers are off from game action until Wednesday when the Regina Pats make their first visit to The Arena and it will mark the first game Tigers fans will get to see Connor Hobbs who was traded January 5th for Dryden Hunt and Kyle Burroughs.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2015


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