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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Tigers Finish 2021 with a 3-2 Victory

December 31, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


The Tigers returned to Co-op Place for their first home game since the holiday break. There was an abundance of new faces in the Tigers lineup as they took on the Calgary Hitmen. It was the home debut of Cru Hanas, Cayden Lindstrom, Brendan Lee and Pavel Bocharov. Hanas was free agent signing from Texas, Lindstrom was recently drafted in the third round of the WHL Prospect Draft and Lee and Bocharov joined the team from Saskatoon in a three team trade.

Tyler MacKenzie opened the scoring for the Tabbies early in the first period. Oasiz Wiesblatt set up MacKenzie in the slot with a nice pass from the corner. MacKenzie found the back of the net with a quick wrister for his first of the season. Reid Andresen picked up the secondary assist on the opening goal.

The Tigers added to their lead 5:59 into the second period. While on the power play, Noah Danielson let a laser beam go from the right face off circle that found the top corner glove side. Dru Krebs and Corson Hopwo picked up the helpers on the power play marker. Calgary would cut the lead back to a single goal four minutes later though. Mason Finley found Grayden Siepmann streaking towards the net and he let a quick shot go from the slot that went top corner for his fourth.

Tyler MacKenzie may have waited 26 games to get his first of the year but didn't have to wait that long for his second. He gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead early in the third with a shorthanded breakaway goal. He grabbed the loose puck from just past centre ice and sped towards the net alone. He made a great deke and beat the goaltender with a backhand. The Hitmen would add another one late in the third period but that would be as close as they would get. Zac Funk was the recieptent of a lucky bounce that he was able to tap in from the right side of the net to make it a 3-2 game.

Garin Bjorklund (4-13-2-0) picked up the win in net for the Tigers. He had a strong game saving 41 of the 43 shots he faced.

Three Stars:

Tyler MacKenzie - Medicine Hat Tigers

Garin Bjorklund - Medicine Hat Tigers

Grayden Siepmann - Calgary Hitmen

Shots Power Play Penalty Kill

Medicine Hat 22 1/4 6/6

Calgary 43 0/6 3/4

The Tigers' next game is Saturday, January 1st when the Tigers host the Winnipeg Ice at Co-op Place. Game time is 7:00 (MST) and tickets are available online at tixx.ca.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2021


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