Canes Sneak by Tabbies 5-3

December 19, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release

The Tigers concluded their home and home series with the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday night at Co-op Place. The game is the final game prior to the Christmas break for both teams. Saturday's game also marked the home debut of the newest Tiger, Tomas Mrsic, who was drafted 8th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospect Draft.

Lethbridge jumped out to the early lead with a pair of goals in the first period. Trevor Thurston opened the scoring 1:47 into the game with wrister from the left faceoff dot after some nice passing. Jett Jones made it a two goal game midway through the second. Alex Thacker found Jones driving towards the net with a pass that sent him in on a breakaway. Jones made a nice move and finished on the backhand.

The Tigers would strike early in the second period to make it a 2-1 game. Brayden Boehm found the back of the net with a wrister that snuck under the Canes netminder's arm. Tyler MacKenzie and Teague Patton set up the goal with some slick passing. Lethbridge reinstated their two goal lead late in the period with a seeing eye shot from the point. Nolan Bentham let a wrister go that beat the screened goaltender with just over two minutes remaining on the clock.

Teague Patton and the Tigers' power play made it a 3-2 game early in the third. Patton initialled attempted a pass that was blocked. The goalie played the pass but Patton was able to grab the loose puck and fire it home into the yawning cage for his fifth of the season. Andrew Basha and Tyler MacKenzie picked up the helpers on the power play goal. The Tigers continued to pressure and were able to find the tying goal midway through the period. Lukas Svejkovsky let a hard wrister go from the left side and it looked like the Canes goalie had made the save at first. However, the puck snuck through the goalie and just trickled over the goal line for his team leading 13th. A few minutes later a battle ensued in front of the Tigers net. Garin Bjorklund made a number of saves but unfortunately Ty Nash was able to find the loose puck and put Lethbridge up 4-3. Late in the period, the Tigers decided to go with the extra attacker in an attempt to send the game to overtime. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes were able to capitalize and Joe Arntsen found the empty net to secure the 5-3 victory.

Garin Bjorklund (3-12-2-0) got the start in net for the Tigers. He saved 29 of the 33 shots he faced, including a penalty shot in the third period.

Three Stars:

Ty Nash - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Teague Patton - Medicine Hat Tigers

Nolan Bentham - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Shots Power Play Penalty Kill

Medicine Hat 21 1/7 3/4

Lethbridge 34 1/4 6/7

The Tigers' next game is Tuesday, December 28th when the Tigers travel to Calgary to take on the Hitmen at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 7:00 (MST) and can be heard live on CHAT 94.5 FM at tigershockey.com or watched via webcast at watch.chl.ca.

Medicine Hat Tigers left wing Tyler MacKenzie prepares to shoot against the Lethbridge Hurricanes

Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2021

• Jesse Heslop, Caden Zaplitny Net First WHL Goals in 7-2 Home Win over Chiefs - Everett Silvertips
• Chiefs Fall 7-2 to Division-Leading Silvertips to Close First Half - Spokane Chiefs
• Rebels Pull out Overtime Victory on the Strength of Ungar's Goaltending, Timely Penalty Kills - Red Deer Rebels
• Hitmen Fall to Rebels in Overtime - Calgary Hitmen
• Tri-City Plays Final Game Before Christmas Break - Tri-City Americans
• Chiefs Close out First Half on Road against Everett Silvertips - Spokane Chiefs
• Silvertips Ink Third-Round Pick Jesse Heslop to Standard Player Agreement - Everett Silvertips
• Americans Take 6-5 Victory in Roller Coaster Game against Royals - Tri-City Americans
• Hanas, Stefan Combine for Must-Watch Goal in 4-1 Victory - Portland Winterhawks
• T-Birds Fall in Everett - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Cougars See Streak End at Vancouver - Prince George Cougars
• Royals Lose to Americans in High-Scoring Affair - Victoria Royals
• Giants Return to Win Column After a 3-1 Triumph over PG - Vancouver Giants
• ICE Fall 4-2 to Brandon - Winnipeg Ice
• Wheat Kings Win in Winnipeg - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Broncos Comeback Falls Just Short in Edmonton - Swift Current Broncos
• Chiefs' Offense Stumbles in 4-1 Loss to Portland - Spokane Chiefs
• Canes Sneak by Tabbies 5-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Shorthanded Silvertips Power Past Thunderbirds in 4-1 Home Win - Everett Silvertips
• Volotovskii Sends Bears Flying, Raiders Top Blades 4-1 - Saskatoon Blades
• Poor Second Period Leads to Defeat vs. Warriors - Regina Pats
• Warriors Head into Break with a Win over Regina - Moose Jaw Warriors

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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