Game 35 vs Kelowna
December 15, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
The Story Coming In
The Medicine Hat Tigers' special teams and great goaltending led them to victory Friday night against the Red Deer Rebels. The Tigers went 3 for 3 on the power play and killed both penalties while goaltender Mads Søgaard set a new career high of 49 saves on 50 shots faced. Josh Williams was involved in all four of the Tigers' goals, scoring a pair and assisting two. The Tabbies are now 17-14-1-2 and they have won 4 straight games. After tonight's contest, the Orange and Black will break for the holidays and return to action December 28, 2018, when the Kootenay ICE come to town.
Tigers vs. Rockets
The Tigers will face the Rockets for the first and only time this season tonight at the Canalta Centre. Medicine Hat is 2-5-1-0 against Kelowna over the past five years and will look to improve on that tonight. The last time the Tigers defeated the Rockets was an 8-7 overtime victory on December 13, 2016, when Ty Schultz scored the game-winning goal 2:09 into extra time.
View from Kelowna
The Kelowna Rockets will finish a 4 game in 5 days road trip tonight in Medicine Hat. The Rockets fell 5-1 to the Calgary Hitmen last night. Rookie Kyle Crosbie was the lone goal scorer while goaltender James Porter stopped 27 of 32 shots. The Rockets are 15-17-2-0 this year and 1-2-0-0 on their current road trip. Kelowna is led by veteran forwards Kyle Topping with 37 points (13G, 24A) and Nolan Foote with 32 points (18G, 14A).
Tigers Talent
Josh Williams is the talented forward with high hockey IQ and a great release in his second season with the Orange and Black. The 17-year-old Langley BC native is having a banner year already for the Tigers by picking up his first career 4 point game (2G, 2A) last night as well as exceeding his assist totals from last year with 12 already this season. Williams has been effective on the power play for the Tabbies with 3 of his 8 goals and 6 of his 12 assists coming on the man advantage. Look for Williams to make an impact in the Rocket's end tonight.
Captain's Corner
In his fourth season with the Orange and Black, 2014 first round Bantam draft pick, James Hamblin, has been selected to be the Captain. The 19-year-old Edmonton product leads the team by example with his hard work ethic, heart and hustle. Hamblin is the Tigers' top point producer with 37 points (16G, 21A) so far this season. The Captain has been effective on the special teams with 7 goals and 7 assists on the man advantage as well as 2 shorthanded goals and 1 shorthanded assist. Look for Hamblin to lead the way for the Tigers in tonight's contest.
Quick Hits
Ryan Jevne has 9 points (6G, 3A) in the Tigers' last 4 games.
James Hamblin has 5 points (3G, 2A) in the Tigers' last 4 games.
The Medicine Hat Tigers continue to score by committee with all 19 skaters lighting the lamp to score the team's 109 goals so far. Leading the way is James Hamblin (16), Ryan Jevne (16), Tyler Preziuso (13) and Ryan Chyzowski (11).
Josh Williams had his first career four-point game Friday night against the Rebels. Williams scored twice and picked up two assists in the 4-1 victory. Williams is listed as a B prospect by NHL Central Scouting and he has been selected to play in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects game in January.
Mads Søgaard set a new career high making 49 saves on 50 shots faced Friday night. Søgaard is listed as a B prospect by NHL Central Scouting and he has also been selected to play in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. Søgaard is currently ranked 5th in the league for GAA (2.39) and 3rd for SAV% (.931). He will be heading the Danish World Juniors Selection Camp after tonight's game.
Ryan Chyzowski is listed as a C prospect by NHL Central Scouting. Chyzowski has 25 points (11G, 14A) in 33 games so far this season.
Florida Panthers draft pick Linus Nässén is ranked 9th in the league amongst defencemen. Nässén has 27 points (4G, 23A) in 29 games so far this season. He picked up three assists on the power play in last night's tilt against the Rebels and leads all Tigers with 12 power play assists.
Medicine Hat's Power Play is 24.8% effective and ranked 7th in the league. Their Penalty Kill is 80.5% effective and ranked 6th in the league. Game Sponsor
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Hut 8 Community Corner
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Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation is a local non-profit group that provides sport & rec opportunities for people with and without disabilities! Some of their sports include sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball and children's summer camps. They are a volunteer ran organization and depend on donations, fundraisers and grants to provide sports opportunities for people of all abilities!
Family Packs
The Medicine Hat Tigers are excited to introduce Family Packs this season! Two adult tickets and two children tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 pops for $69.95. Family packs can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or in person at the box office.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2018
- Rockets Head into Break with Win over Medicine Hat - Kelowna Rockets
- Pats Doubled up by Moose Jaw 6-3 - Regina Pats
- Fyten Lifts Hitmen in OT - Calgary Hitmen
- Blades Looking to Close out First Half on Winning Note - Saskatoon Blades
- Game 35 vs Kelowna - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, December 15 at Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- Tough Loss for Wheat Kings Friday - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Day Preview: Pats Wrap up First Half of Season in Moose Jaw - Regina Pats
- Winterhawks Game Day: Portland at Tri-City - Game #33 - Portland Winterhawks
- ICE Top Blazers 5-3 - Kootenay Ice
- Giants Fall into Wolf Trap as 'Tips Win 4-1 - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Sneak Past T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Cougars Tripped up in Second - Prince George Cougars
- Royals Battle Past Cougars - Victoria Royals
- Giants Winning Streak Halted Friday against Everett - Vancouver Giants
- Raiders Top Broncos in Heated Physical Battle - Swift Current Broncos
- Rebels Once Again Come up Short against Tigers - Red Deer Rebels
- Tigers Take Down Rebels 4-1 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hitmen Pull away from Rockets - Calgary Hitmen
- Blades Win Fourth Straight Friday Night over Wheat Kings - Saskatoon Blades
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