WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Tigers vs Rebels Preview

April 16, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


The Story Coming In

The Medicine Hat Tigers are coming into this weekends action well rested and healed up after having the weekend off. The Tigers last saw action the weekend of April 2nd, when they took five of a possible six points against the Calgary Hitmen, claiming a 4-1 victory at home on Friday, then coming out victorious in Overtime in Calgary, and finally falling in a shootout to the Hitmen on April 5th. Oren Shtrom had his first career multi-goal game with two goals in that affair.

The Red Deer Rebels have lost nine straight heading into Friday's game, with the last three losses coming at the hands of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, falling by scores of 6-3, 5-2, and 8-5. Ben King lead the way offensively for the Rebels with 2 goals and 4 assists in those three contests. Following last weekends games, Brent Sutter stepped down as Head Coach of the Rebels stating that it was in the best interest of the players.

Tigers vs. Rebels

This will be the third meeting of the season between these two teams, with the Orange Black taking the first two contests that kicked off the 2020-2021 season. The Tigers are currently sitting in 2nd place in the Central Division with a record of 9-3-0-1, having gone 5-0-0-1 over the last six games while the Rebels are at the bottom of the table with a record of 2-12-2-0 having dropped nine in a row. Medicine Hat has the Western Hockey Leagues most dangerous powerplay having converted on 20 of 50 (40%) chances with the man advantage. The Rebels are last in the league in Penalty Killing at 64.9%.

View from Red Deer

The Red Deer Rebels are looking to bounce back and get back on the winning side of the puck as Ryan Colville and Brad Flynn take will share the head coaching duties after Owner/General Manager Brent Sutter stepped down on April 10th. Rebels Assitant GM and Director of Player Personnel Shaun Sutter will join Colville and Flynn behind the bench. Ben King leads Red Deer in scoring with 15 points (5G, 10A) in 14 games, While Arshdeep Bains, (5G, 7A), Josh Tarzwell (6G, 2A), Christ Douglas (4G, 4A), and Ethan Rowland (5G, 2A) round out the top five in scoring for the Rebs. Between the pipes, Ethan Anders has had the lion's share of minutes posting a 1-6-2-0 record with a 4.55 GAA and a .863 SV%. Byron Fancy is also sitting at a record of 1-6-0-0 with a 5.40 GAA and a .838 SV%

Tigers Talent

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Corson Hopwo has been red of late registering at least a single point in the last six games. The Duncan, BC Native is the first Tabby to reach double digits in goals this season and has notched six goals and three assists over the last six games. The former 7th round Bantam Draft pick currently sits fourth on the Tigers in scoring with 16 points in 13 games (10G, 6A).

Captain's Corner

Returning to the Tigers for his overage season is first year Captain, Ryan Chyzowski. Chyzowski, a former 1st round bantam draft pick has played his entire career for the Tigers appearing in 270 regular season games for the Orange and Black. The Kamloops, BC native is third in team scoring with six goals and 11 assists through 13 games this season. Chyzowski crushed his career best totals in 2019-2020, notching 34 goals and adding in 35 helpers for 69 points. Chyzowski is a high energy player with great hands and a dynamite shot.

Quick Hits

Forward Lukas Svejkovksy was drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Goaltender Garin Bjorklund was selected in the 6th round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Washington Capitals.

Corson Hopwo recorded his first career WHL Hat Trick vs the Rebels on February 26, 2021

Cole Clayton recorded his first career WHL Hat Trick vs the Hitmen on March 12, 2021

Oasiz Wiesblatt scored his first career WHL Goal vs the Rebels on February 27, 2021

Brayden Boehm also scored his first career WHL goal vs the Rebels on February 27, 2021

Beckett Langow made his 1st career start and earned his 1st WHL victory on March 13, 2021

Oren Shtrom recoded his first career WHL Goal vs the Hurricanes with an OT marker on March 28, 2021

Oren Shtrom recorded his first career multi-goal game vs the Calgary Hitmen on April, 5.

Teague Patton scored his first career WHL goal on April 3rd vs the Calgary Hitmen.

Tyler MacKenzie scored his first career WHL goal on April 3rd vs the Calgary Hitmen.

Tigers GM & Head Coach Willie Desjardins needs only 3 wins to become the all-time franchise leader in wins by a head coach.

Check out the Medicine Hat Tigers Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2021


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