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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Game 45 at Saskatoon

January 24, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


The Story Coming In

The Medicine Hat Tigers split last weekend against their Central Division rivals, the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oil Kings. Saturday the Tabbies hosted the Hurricanes and defeated them 6-2 with Captain James Hamblin scoring four goals, including a natural hat trick in the first period. After Saturday's game, the team travelled to Edmonton for an afternoon battle with the Oil Kings. The Orange and Black fell 4-2 to the Oil Kings after being tied 2-2 heading into the final frame. Medicine Hat is 29-13-1-1 and they are led by their Captain Hamblin with 69 points (27G, 42A) and veteran forward Brett Kemp with 57 points (22G, 35A). After tonight's game in Saskatoon, the Tabbies will travel to Prince Albert to face the Raiders Saturday night.

Tigers vs. Blades

Tonight at the SaskTel Centre, the Tigers will battle the Blades for the fourth and final time this season. In their last meeting, veteran forward Cyle McNabb scored his first career hat trick and helped the Tabbies take it 11-3. Medicine Hat is 3-0-0-0 against Saskatoon this season and Tigers Captain James Hamblin has eight points (all assists) in the three games played. Over the past five years, the Tigers are 10-4-0-1 against the Blades and 4-2-0-1 when playing at the SaskTel Centre.

View from Saskatoon

The Saskatoon Blades swept the Swift Current Broncos in a home and home series last weekend. On Friday the Blades shut the door 5-0 at home before taking the Broncos down 7-2 in Swift Current on Saturday. Thirteen Blades picked up a point or more in the home and home series including veteran forward Tristen Robins who had a six point (3G, 3A) weekend. The Blades are led by Robins with 43 points (18G, 25A) and their Captain Chase Wouters with 33 points (19G, 14A). After tonight's game against Medicine Hat, the Blades will host the Edmonton Oil Kings Saturday before travelling to Regina to take on the Pats Sunday.

Tigers Talent

Parker Gavlas is a Saskatoon product playing in his final season of the WHL. He joined the Tabbies at the beginning of the season to help bolster their defence core. "Parker is a great skater and he brings a physical presence to our blue line. He plays against the other teams' top guys every night and plays them hard. He loves to compete and he is willing to anything to help us win," said Assistant Coach Joe Frazer.

Captain's Corner

Captain James Hamblin has 26 points (10G, 16A) in the Tigers' last 15 games played. The 20-year-old Edmonton product is a diminutive offensive dynamo who is leading the Tabbies in points with 69 points (27G, 42A). He is a reliable two-way centre who competes hard every game and leads his team by example. Look for Hamblin to make an impact in tonight's game.

Quick Hits

In their head to head battle, the Tigers and the Blades' special teams are closely matched. The Tabbies' power play is (4/14) 28.6% and their penalty kill is (3/12) 75% against the Blades this season.

Fifteen Tigers have a point or more against the Blades this season.

The Tigers' top line of James Hamblin, Lukas Svejkovsky and Corson Hopwo have combined for 36 points in the Tigers' nine games played in January.

Three Tigers scored their first career WHL goals against the Saskatoon Blades

Ryan Chyzowski scored his first career WHL goal Sep 30th, 2016, in a 5-1 Tigers victory.

Cole Clayton scored his first career WHL goal Sep 29th, 2017, in a 6-2 Tigers victory

Dru Krebs scored his first career WHL goal Oct 15th, 2019, in a 3-1 Tigers victory

The Tigers' next Never Waste a Ticket night for season ticket holders is Feb 5th, 2020. Season ticket holders can exchange any unused tickets for extra tickets to the game that night.

The Tigers will be partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association Alberta Southeast for a mental health awareness game Feb 5th, 2020.

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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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