Game 57 vs Calgary
February 16, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
The Story Coming In
The Medicine Hat Tigers dropped the first game of their home and home series against the Calgary Hitmen 3-1 last night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. It was the fifth time in 21 games since returning from the holiday break that the Tigers have lost in regulation and they are now 31-20-3-2. Medicine Hat will be looking to return to their winning ways in tonight's contest. The Orange and Black are led by veteran forwards James Hamblin with 67 points (31G, 36A) and Ryan Jevne with 55 points (26G, 29A). After tonight's game, the Tabbies will travel to Edmonton for a special Family Day afternoon game against the Oil Kings on Monday.
Tigers vs. Hitmen
Tonight's battle will be the fifth time these two Central Division rivals meet and the second time they do so in Medicine Hat this season. The home team has won all of the previous meetings which means the Tigers have only won once when they host the Hitmen in the second game of a home and home series in November. Over the past five years, the Tigers are 15-6-1-0 against the Hitmen.
View from Calgary
The Calgary Hitmen went 1 for 2 on the power play and 2 for 2 on the penalty kill in last night's contest against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Hitmen won 3-1 with Carl Stankowski stopping 29 of the 30 Tigers shots faced and earning the first star of the night. Calgary is 29-21-4-1 and they are led by veteran forwards Mark Kastelic with 63 points (39G, 24A) and James Malm with 57 points (23G, 34A).
Tigers Talent
Elijah Brown was the Tigers' lone goal scorer in last night's contest against the Hitmen. 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 tonight.
Captain's Corner
Captain James Hamblin has been the Tigers' top point producer all season and he is currently ranked 11th in the league for scoring. The 19-year-old Edmonton native has stepped into a bigger role for the Tigers offensively this season and he has set new career highs in goals and points. He is also only 7 assists away from last year's career high of 43. The Captain also leads his team in points against the Hitmen with 6 (all assists) in 4 games. Look for Hamblin to get his team going in tonight's battle.
Quick Hits
Mads Søgaard has been ranked 3rd among North American goalies in the NHL Central Scouting Midterm ranking.
Søgaard is also ranked 4th in the WHL among goalies with 2.36 GAA and 0.930 save percentage.
Brett Kemp has been ranked 156th among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Midterm ranking.
It has been a banner year for many of the Tigers with 10 of 15 veteran players have already set new career highs in goals, 7 of 15 have set new career highs in assists and 9 of 15 have set new career highs in points.
The Tigers continue to score by committee with all 20 skaters lighting the lamp at least once for the team's 181 goals. Leading the way is James Hamblin (31G), Ryan Jevne (26G) and Brett Kemp (26).
The race for the Central Division crown is tight with only 7 points separating 1st and 5th The Medicine Hat Tigers are three points and a game in hand behind the first place Edmonton Oil Kings.
The Tigers are 14-8-2-0 against the Central Division this season.
Linus Nassen is ranked 12th in the league for defencemen scoring with 40 points (5G, 35A) in 40 games.
Daniel Baker is the Tigers' top point producing rookie with 15 points (2G, 13A)
Against the Hitmen, the Tigers' Power Play has been 35.7% effective (5/14) and their Penalty Kill has been 66.7% effective (3/9). Game Sponsor
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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 Be YOUth Centre is a non-profit society that provides social and recreational opportunities for youth in Medicine Hat and area. Their mission seeks to improve the physical, social, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural reality of youth in Medicine Hat and the surrounding area.
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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