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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Game 33: December 18 vs. Calgary

December 18, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


VS. HITMEN: Tonight marks the first time since October the Hitmen and Tigers face-off. The only meeting of the season took place on October 17th, a 6-0 victory. Ironically, the 17th game also marks the last time the Tigers had won two straight games prior to this week. David Quenneville had a 3 point night (1G, 2A) and Chad Butcher chipped in with 2 goals of his own. For the Hitmen, their lineup sees 6 new faces including an all new goaltending tandem as Calgary has been active in the trade market since the October 17th game.

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP:

The depth on the Tigers has been very valuable in their offense and can be shown as only 2 Tigers have point streaks over the 3 game winning streak, meaning the offense has come by committee every game, not just from one line or a couple guys. Matt Bradley has a 3 game streak and Ty Stanton has a 2 game streak

Tonight will mark the first time that Taylor Sanheim is back at the Canalta Centre after his hit on Cole Sanford which put the 20 year old out of action for over 2 weeks

2015-16 WHL RANKINGS: Record (11-18-2-1). Central Div. - 5th Eastern Con. - 10th Home - (7-9-0-1) Away (4-9-2-0)

TIGERS FAST FACTS:

Medicine Hat has now scored a power play in 6 consecutive games and David Quenneville has been in on 6 of 7 power play goals scored over that span

Medicine Hat has won 3 straight games heading into tonight; marking the first time since the end of the 2014-2015 season spanning the final 3 regular season games March 18-21, 2015

Medicine Hat is 3-6-0-1 at the Canalta Centre over their past 10 games and are 4-6-0-0 overall in their past 10 games

HOLIDAY BREAK: The Tigers kicked off their final six games before the Holiday break last Friday night vs. Red Deer, picking up a 2-1 defeat in the process. The Tigers have since followed that up with 3 consecutive victories over the Edmonton Oil Kings and now sit 3-1-0-0 in the final games leading to the break. Wins haven't been uncommon at this time of the year as Medicine Hat has seen great performances before the players head home to see family and friends. Over the past 5 seasons, Medicine Hat has a 20-10-0-0 record coming down the stretch before the break. Last season the Tabbies went 4-2-0-0 and had their best showing in those six games in 2010-11 when they went 5-1-0-0, so far this year Medicine Hat is 2-1-0-0. Medicine Hat hasn't been under .500 in the 6 games before the break since the 2000-2001 seasons when the Tabbies were 0-6-0-0.

HITTING MILESTONES: The Tigers have had some milestones this season including first career goals by rookies Max Gerlach, Brad Forrest, James Hamblin, Ryan Jevne and affiliate Josh McNeil netting his first ever goal in his first ever game. While the rookies have shown their skills, the older veteran players have also hit milestones this season. More recently was Cole Sanford, recording his 200th career point in Kamloops on December 5th. Sanford is also just 1 goals shy of 100 in his career and should hit that before the break. Chad Butcher will hit 200 games played in the WHL before season's end as he is just 8 games shy of the mark. Ty Stanton is 6 games away from hitting the 200 games played mark. David Quenneville is 7 games away from 100 in his career as well.

CALGARY'S STREAK: Calgary has picked up 25 of a possible 30 points, going 12-2-1-0 in their last 15 games. They have outscored their opponents by a combined 63-38 while outshooting them 502-380. The Hitmen also have 6 new faces in the lineup since the last time these two teams met. Keegan Kanzig made his return to the lineup from the AHL this season, Cody Porter, Jackson Houck and Jakob Stukel were all acquired from Vancouver, while Tyler Mrkonjic was acquired from Prince George and Bryce Platt was added to the roster.

2015-16 CLUB LEADERS:

Goals (17) Max Gerlach Assists (24) Chad Butcher Points (33) Chad Butcher

PIM (75) Connor Clouston Plus/Minus (+3) Connor Clouston, Mark Rassell       Wins (6) Mack Shields

SPECIAL TEAMS:

POWER PLAY: 25/144 - 17.4% (ranked 17th in WHL)

HOME - 18/78 - 23.7% (ranked 5th in WHL)

PENALTY KILL: 107/141 - 75.9% (ranked 21st in WHL)

HOME - 45/63 - 71.4% (ranked 22nd in WHL)

TIGERS ROSTER MAKEUP: The Tigers currently have 22 players on the roster - 2 Goaltenders, 7 Defenseman, 13 forwards

AGE BREAKDOWN: 3 - 20 year olds, 5 - 19 year olds, 7 - 18 year olds, 5 - 17 year olds, and 2 - 16 year olds

NHL DRAFTED / SIGNED PLAYERS: Matt Bradley (Montreal Canadiens), Nick Schneider (Calgary Flames)

ATB FINANCIAL - TIGERS BROADCAST:Listen to legendary Bob Ridley broadcast all Tigers games on CHAT 94.5 FM. Bob Ridley has called all but one Tigers' Game in Team history since the Medicine Hat Tigers came into the league in 1970.

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