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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Tigers Win on Teddy Bear Night

December 13, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB -- Last year's Teddy Bear Toss against the Kelowna Rockets didn't go as planned for the scoreboard as the Tabbies dropped a 4-2 decision. The 2015 edition of the annual Toss went above and beyond the expectations of many, on the heels of another great performance by Nick Schneider, the Tigers picked up their second win in the last 3 games.

Medicine Hat came out with jump and took advantage of playing the previous night, while Edmonton was waiting at their hotel for the Tabbies to come back from Red Deer to play Saturday night. The Tigers dominated play and their speed and agility took over, running the Edmonton defense around in circles. Fans had to hold their breath and some even were faked out by the big chances Mason Shaw, Alex Mowbray and Cole Sanford got early.

Then at the 1229 mark of the first period, Matt Bradley made the bears rain as he deflected a Caleb Fantillo pass through the 5 hole of goaltender Patrick Dea. Bears, bags and other stuffed animals came down onto the ice, a great sight for the fans and the players.

Medicine Hat would then strike again just over a minute later on a power play as rookie Max Gerlach continues his great season, wristing home a shot from the high slot for his 16th of the season. Before the period would end however, Mark Rassell, last year's Teddy goal scorer, got into the action netting his 7th of the season as the Tabbies took a 3-0 lead into the intermission, only the second time in the past 7 games has Medicine Hat led after the first.

Lately second periods have not been exciting times for Medicine Hat fans as the past two games have seen a lot of structure and defensive battles and at times the game seemed to slow down. Fans had something to cheer about as Chad Butcher took a break from setting up his teammates to dropping the gloves with 17 year old Tyson Gruninger. Butcher had some good shots on the youngster and sat for the 5 minutes. Edmonton would get on the board on a weird play as Brandon Baddock took a clearing attempt off a stantion to go down on a clear cut breakaway to score his 10th and cut into the lead 3-1.

The final period saw the Oil Kings cut into the lead even more as an early power play allowed Kobe Mohr to net his 3rd of the year on what was a young power play unit for the visitors. Two of the team's 16 year old assisted on the goal, bringing a rise from the fan bus that made it to the Hat to witness their first game at the Canalta Centre.

Medicine Hat then got a goal by Cole Sanford as he tipped home a nice pass from Mason Shaw that trickled past Dea and over the goal line for his 13th of the year. Sanford now sits just 2 goals shy of 100 in his WHL career. Edmonton's undisciplined play resulted in a long 5 on 3 for the Tabbies with David Quenneville firing home a bullet one timer past Dea and extended the lead to 5-2, a sure sign a victory was coming their way.

Nick Schneider was brilliant on this night as he stopped 32 of 35 shots and the Tabbies took home a 5-3 victory, their second win in their past three games.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2015


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