WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Game 39 vs Vancouver

January 2, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


The Story Coming In

The Medicine Hat Tigers won three games in three nights to close out 2018. In their first game back in action after the holiday break, the Tigers defeated the Kootenay ICE 4-1. Saturday, they took down the Victoria Royals 4-2 and Sunday they came from behind to beat the Lethbridge Hurricanes 5-4 in a shootout. Ryan Jevne scored the game-winning goal in the shootout while Joel Craven had his first two-goal game. The Orange and Black are led by veteran forwards James Hamblin with 43 points (21G, 22A) and Ryan Jevne with 38 points (19G, 19A).

Tigers vs. Giants

Tonight marks the first and only meeting between the Tigers and the Giants this season. Medicine Hat is 1-4-10 against Vancouver over the last five years and the Tigers have not beaten the Giants since Jan 7, 2017, when Steven Owre scored shorthanded with 7 seconds left in regulation to win the game 5-4.

View from Vancouver

The Vancouver Giants have been on the road since returning to action after the holiday break. Tonight is the fourth game of their six-game road trip. They defeated the Red Deer Rebels 6-0 before falling to the Calgary Hitmen 4-0 and Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1. After tonight's contest, the Giants will play the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Kootenay ICE before returning home to host the Kamloops Blazers. Vancouver is led by veteran forward Davis Koch with 32 points (10G, 22A).

Tigers Talent

Joel Craven had his first multi-goal game Sunday night against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Craven scored twice from the point to help the Tigers come from behind and win the game in a shootout. The 18-year-old Whitefish, MT product has good defensive awareness, moves the puck up the ice well and he is a good skater. Craven is also the only known third-generation player in the league as both his father Murray and his grandfather Ron have suited up for the Tigers.

Captain's Corner

Captain James Hamblin was drafted in the first round of the 2014 Bantam draft by the Tigers and since then he has suited up for 232 games, scoring 67 goals and assisting on 91. The 19-year-old Edmonton product is a hard-working, skilled, two-way forward who leads the Tigers by example. Look for Captain Hamblin to rally the boys and get them going in tonight's tilt.

Quick Hits

Tonight's game is the 3,900th Tigers game called by Bob Ridley.

Captain James Hamblin has a multi-game point streak going with 11 points (8G, 3A) in 8 games.

Joel Craven had his first career two-goal game Sunday against the Hurricanes.

Affiliate goaltender Garin Bjorklund has joined the Tigers while Mads Søgaard is playing for Team Denmark at the World Juniors. Bjorklund has a 9-3-1 record, 0.917 SAV% and 2.33 GAA with the Calgary Buffaloes in the AMHL so far this season.

Bjorklund earned his first career WHL start and win last Saturday night against the Victoria Royals. Bjorklund posted a 2.00 GAA and a .913 SAV% and earned the third star of the game.

Ryan Chyzowski scored the Tigers' first goal of the year 2018 in a 5-4 Tigers victory over the Kootenay ICE.

Josh Williams and Mads Søgaard have been selected to play in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects game Jan 23, 2019, in Red Deer. Both players have been listed as B prospects by NHL Central Scouting. Ryan Chyzowski has been listed as a C prospect.

Daniel Baker is leading all Tigers rookies in points with 11 (2G, 9A).

The Tigers are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games.

The Tigers' power play is 24.0% effective and ranked 7th in the league. James Hamblin is leading the team with 9 power play goals and Linus Nässén is leading the team with 13 power play assists.

The Tigers' penalty kill is 80.6% effective and ranked 7th in the league. Three Tigers have even scored shorthanded (James Hamblin - 2, Ryan Jevne - 2, Tyler Preziuso 1).

The Medicine Hat Tigers continue to score by committee with all 19 skaters lighting the lamp at least once to score the team's 123 goals. Leading the way is James Hamblin (21), Ryan Jevne (19), Ryan Chyzowski (13) and Tyler Preziuso (13). Game Sponsor

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Avenue Living Communities is Western Canada's fastest-growing private apartment building owner and operator.

Hut 8 Community Corner

Hut 8 Mining Company is a cryptocurrency mining and blockchain infrastructure company established through an exclusive partnership with the Bitfury Group, the world's leading full-service blockchain technology company that recently opened in Medicine Hat.

Southeastern Alberta Sexual Assault Response Committee (SARC) provides sexual trauma-specific therapy services for survivors and those affected by sexual violence. The Victims Navigation Service coordinates with Victims Services (MHPS) to provide peer support and information about the criminal justice process, along with court support. SARC also offers numerous education programs for schools and community members to prevent sexual violence and consent.

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.

About the Medicine Hat Tigers

The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL) who play out of Medicine Hat, AB and were established in 1970. In 48 seasons of playing major junior hockey, the Tigers have won 2 Scotty Munro Memorial Trophies, as well as, 210 playoff games which led to winning 43 playoff series, raising 33 banners, winning five Ed Chynoweth Cups and two Memorial Cups.

Check out the Medicine Hat Tigers Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2019


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