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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Historic Night Capped off with a 6-2 Victory

March 22, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB -- On a night when the Medicine Hat Tigers brought back 66 alumni spanning all eras of 45 years, the current Tigers and Blades game had a bit of everything in what was a "throw back" for some. Fights, scrums and scoring the usual trio to success back in the 1970s and 1980s were on display for the sold out, standing room only crowd.

The Tigers dominated the opening frame, feeding off the energy of the lively atmosphere which filled the rink since the doors opened. Medicine Hat was playing majority of the night resting their top players, giving opportunities for rookies Zach Fischer, Mark Rassell and David Quenneville. Energy forward Alex Mowbray would start the night off for the Tigers on the scoresheet as he netted his 8th of the season after Blake Penner battled for a puck in front of the net just 4 minutes in. Later, Ty Stanton would join the rush and find the five hole of Blades goaltender Brock Hamm. For Stanton he joined the double digit mark in goals for the first time in his career.

Before the period ended, Fischer took advantage of his new opportunity and was able to pot his 4th of the season, giving him 10 points on the year for the first year Tiger. Fischer took a one timer off a centering pass from Mark Rassell to extend the first period lead to 3-0.

Also in the first period was the beginning of what was a physical and scrappy night as Stanton took exception to a Josh Uhrich hit from behind. The two got into a spirited scrap, which had the crowd roaring.

The middle period was also filled with a bit of everything, but before the physical play could commence the Tigers got back to their scoring ways. Trevor Cox started the frame off finishing a gorgeous passing play with linemates Steven Owre and Cole Sanford for his 29th of the season. Cox would assist on the next Tigers goal scored by Owre. The California native received a pass from Cox and was able to flick a back hand on net, the puck found a hole through Hamm under the arm and trickled into the net, giving Owre his 20th goal of the year. Tyler Lewington, who had a roller coaster game of emotion on this night, would join the scoring frenzy, receiving a nifty cross ice pass from Chad Butcher to extend the lead to 6-0 heading into the break.

The Blades, who finished with the worst record in the WHL were trying to get under the skin of the Tigers, which in the second period boiled over into a small brawl at center ice while the Tigers were on the power play with their top line. The melee resulted in multiple 10 minute misconducts and roughing minors.

The final 20 minutes in the regular season was filled with penalties and fights, almost as a tribute to those who played before us like Rocky Thompson and Derek Boogaard. The Tigers would not score in the frame but showed the Blades that they were not to be messed with on their ice. David Quenneville took exception to a cross check from Blade forward Garrett Armour, sending the two to drop their gloves. Five minutes later Lewington drove the Blades net hard and ultimately being pushed into the goaltender. Several Blades players took exception and the fight was on. Lewington, always not afraid to step in for teammates took on both Kolton Dixon and Amil Krupic in multiple fights before being restrained by the linesman and sent off. The scrum was not indicitive on how the 20 year old played on this night, an offensive force and a physical presence, the moment brought the worst out, Tigers fans will hope the league will not come down hard on Lewington with regards to suspension.

In the end the Tigers would close out their final regular season home game with a victory despite 2 goals by the Blades late in the third period, both on the power play after the scrums. It was a fitting end to a night where classic Tigers hockey clashed with current Tigers hockey, but all in all for 45 years the Medicine Hat Arena has always been rocking and was on display for the best fans in the WHL!

TIGERS FAST FACTS

With Steven Owre's goal, the Tigers now have 5 skaters hit the 20 goal plateau The Tigers playoff fate will be determined on Sunday when the Calgary Hitmen and Kootenay Ice square off, a Calgary win means they take the Central Division Trevor Cox recorded 2 points on the night, finishing the regular season with 109 points, good for 2nd in the WHL, but was the league leader in assists with 80 Only 2 rostered players this season finished with less than 10 points Marek Langhamer picked up his 30th win on the season, the first time in his career the Czech born goaltender has done so

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Tyler Lewington - MH - (1G, 2A)

1A. Tigers fans! (45 years of greatness)

2. Ty Stanton - MH - (1G)

3. Steven Owre - MH - (1G, 1A)

The Tigers will now wait for their opponent to open the 2015 WHL Playoffs, however their first home playoff game takes place on Saturday March 28th!

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