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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Game 40 vs Kootenay

January 4, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


The Story Coming In

The Medicine Hat Tigers held on to defeat the Vancouver Giants 4-2 on Wednesday night. Captain James Hamblin had a pair of goals while goaltender Jordan Hollett stopped 29 of 32 shots faced. The Tabbies have now won four straight games since returning to action after the holiday break and they have improved their record to 21-15-1-2. After tonight's contest, the Tigers will travel to Calgary to battle the Hitmen in the CHL Saturday Showdown on Sportsnet.

Tigers vs. ICE

Tonight's contest will be the fourth time this season that the Tigers faceoff against the ICE. The ICE won the first meeting 5-0 and the Tabbies have won the last two, 4-3 in a shootout and 4-1 respectively. After tonight's tilt these two Central Division rivals will play two more times. Medicine Hat is 20-3-1-0 against Kootenay over the past five years.

View from Kootenay

The Kootenay ICE fell 4-3 in overtime on Dec 31st, 2018, to the Victoria Royals and they are still looking for their first victory since returning from the holiday break. The ICE are 8-24-6-1 and they are led by 2019 NHL Draft Eligible Peyton Krebs with 43 points (13G, 30A) and veteran forward Jaeger White with 30 points (14G, 16A). After tonight's game, the ICE will return home to host the Spokane Chiefs Saturday and the Vancouver Giants on Sunday.

Tigers Talent

Hayden Ostir has been hungry for the puck ever since returning from the holiday break and his hard work paid off when he scored the game-winning goal on Wednesday night against the Vancouver Giants. The 19-year-old Winnipeg, MB native is a hard-nosed, tenacious forward with quick hands, and great puck instincts. Look for Ostir to drive to the net and create scoring opportunities in tonight's tilt.

Captain's Corner

Captain James Hamblin is the Tigers' top point producer this season with 23 goals and 23 assists in 39 games played so far. He has 6 goals and 2 assists since the return to action after the holiday break. "Coming back after the break isn't always easy, especially going right into it with that three in three," said Hamblin. "I thought we did an unbelievable job. We still have two games left here before we get a little bit of a break so we just have to stay focused on the next game." The 19-year-old Edmonton native has now tied his career high of 23 goals that he set in the 2016-17 regular season. Hamblin is a speedy, two way forward who sees the ice well and leads the Tigers by example.

Quick Hits

Captain James Hamblin has 14 points (10G, 4A) in our last 9 games.

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.

In his career as a Tiger, James Hamblin has 21 points (10G, 11A) in 21 games played against the ICE.

Goaltender Mads Søgaard and forward Josh Williams have been selected to play in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospect game Jan 23rd in Red Deer. Both players are ranked as B prospects by NHL Central Scouting. Ryan Chyzowski is ranked as a C prospect.

Tigers Alumni Kelly Hrudey has been selected to coach Team Orr in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospect game.

Daniel Baker leads all Tigers rookies in points with 12 (2G, 10A).

Medicine Hat's Power Play is 24.0% effective and ranked 6th in the league. James Hamblin leads the team with 9 power play goals and Linus Nässén is the top set up man on the pp with 14 power play assists.

Medicine Hat's Penalty Kill is 80.8% effective and ranked 6th in the league. The Tigers have scored five shorthanded goals (Hamblin - 2, Jevne - 2, Preziuso -1). 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.

The Gas City Roller Derby Association was founded January 1, 2018, and they currently have three teams, the Pilot Lights, the Ignitors and the Regulators. The Pilot Lights are for children ages 5 and up while the Ignitors are for youth 12 and up. The Regulators is the adult team and it is a full contact, co-ed team. The Gas City Roller Derby Association's season will start January 19th and they are always interested in meeting people who want to learn the game.

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.

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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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