
Game 41 at Calgary
January 5, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
The Story Coming In
The Medicine Hat Tigers have won five straight games since returning to action after the holiday break. Last night the Tabbies took down the Kootenay ICE 5-4 with a great team performance, improving their record to 22-15-1-2. Leading the way for the Orange and Black are Captain James Hamblin with 47 points (23G, 24A) and veteran forward Ryan Jevne with 39 points (19G, 20A).
Tigers vs. Hitmen
Tonight will be the third meeting between these two Central Division rivals this season. In both of the previous contests, the home team has been prevalent. The Hitmen took the first game 7-5 in Calgary and the Tigers won the second 5-4 in Medicine Hat. Over the past five seasons, the Tigers are 15-4-1-0 against the Hitmen.
View from Calgary
The Calgary Hitmen have been heating up winning 4 straight games heading into this afternoon's contest. Last night the Hitmen defeated the Red Deer Rebels 5-3. Cael Zimmerman had his first career multi-point game with 2 goals and 1 assist in the victory. The Hitmen are 18-16-3-1 and they are led by Jake Kryski with 42 points (18G, 24A) and Mark Kastelic with 41 points (27G, 14A).
Tigers Talent
Elijah Brown has 6 points (2G, 4A) in the Tigers' last 3 games. The 19-year-old Edmonton product is a gritty, fearless forward with an offensive upside. Brown uses his speed to create opportunity all over the ice and he isn't afraid to mix it up. His work ethic and creativity make him a fun player for fans to watch. Look for Brown to drive to the net and create scoring lanes today.
Captain's Corner
Captain James Hamblin is a hardworking, two-way forward who leads the Tigers by example. The 19-yeard-old Edmonton native has 15 points (10G, 5A) in the Tigers' last 10 games. He was drafted by the Medicine Hat in the first round of the 2014 Bantam Draft and has since suited up for 234 games scoring 69 goals and picking up 93 assists. Look for Captain Hamblin to make an impact on both ends of the ice in today's game.
Quick Hits
Thirteen different Tigers have a point or more against the Hitmen this season. Leading the way is Hayden Ostir with 4 points (2G, 2A) in 2 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 has started two games for the Tigers and won both. His save percentage is 0.909% and his GAA is 2.50.
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.
Goaltender Mads Søgaard is ranked 4th in the league for GAA with 2.39 and 2nd in the league for save percentage with 0.931.
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 13 (2G, 11A).
Cole Clayton suited up for his 100th career WHL game Friday night against the ICE. Clayton has 4 goals and 13 assists in his WHL career.
Medicine Hat's Power Play is 23.2% 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 power play with 14 power play assists.
Medicine Hat's Penalty Kill is 80.3% effective and ranked 7th in the league. The Tigers have scored five shorthanded goals (Hamblin - 2, Jevne - 2, Preziuso -1).
James Hamblin leads all Tigers in plus-minus with +16. 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.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2019
- Royals Shoot Past Rebels - Victoria Royals
- Fonstad, Gregor Lead Raiders To Win Over Blades - Prince Albert Raiders
- Blades Fall Behind Early, Can't Catch Raiders - Saskatoon Blades
- Hawks Shutout Moose Jaw on the Road - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Blanked by Broncos, 1-0 - Regina Pats
- Winning Streak Snapped - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hitmen Complete Perfect Homestand - Calgary Hitmen
- Step-By-Step Instructions to Bid on Retro 'K' Jerseys Online - Kootenay Ice
- Preview: Blades Head North for Saturday Night Showdown - Saskatoon Blades
- Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland at Moose Jaw - Game #39 - Portland Winterhawks
- ICE Welcome Spokane for Final Time this Season - Kootenay Ice
- Game 41 at Calgary - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, January 5 vs. Medicine Hat - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Continue Busy Weekend in Swift Current - Regina Pats
- Americans Overcome Two Goal Deficit, Beat Silvertips 3-2 - Tri-City Americans
- Cougars Pass Kelowna in Shootout - Prince George Cougars
- ICE Fall 5-3 to Tigers - Kootenay Ice
- Americans Deal Silvertips 3-2 Setback - Everett Silvertips
- Cougars outduel Rockets in shootout - Kelowna Rockets
- Rebels Struggle Defensively in Loss to Hitmen - Red Deer Rebels
- Tigers Win 5 Straight - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Giants Fall Just Short in a 4-3 Loss to Lethbridge - Vancouver Giants
- Anderson-Dolan, Smith, and Kral Make Return as Chiefs Top Blazers, 4-1 - Spokane Chiefs
- Wheat Kings Erupt against T-Birds - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Broncos Drop Fourth Straight to Winterhawks 5-3 - Swift Current Broncos
- Rookie Cranks OT Winner over Pats - Saskatoon Blades
- Hitmen Use Home Ice to Down Rebels - Calgary Hitmen
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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