Tigers Wrap Series with Hitmen
Published on March 15, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release
Medicine Hat, AB - It was the third game against each other in three nights for Calgary and Medicine Hat. Calgary would be looking to clean things up on special teams as the Tigers have gone 6-8 on the powerplay in the first two games of this series. Cole Clayton has had the hot touch for the Tigers registering 4 goals and an assist against Calgary so far.
The rematch started essentially as a continuation of Saturday night's affair in Medicine Hat as these two opponents have become very familiar with each other.
Oasiz Wiesblatt took the puck to the face just under a minute into the game, he left the game but would return in a few minutes. The pace would start to intensify as the Tigers put on some pressure as Peters was called on to make a couple of good saves.
Calgary's Jackson van de Leest got called for a trip on Nick McCarry at 7:14 in the first period. The Tigers would go to work as Corson Hopwo rang one of the post. The Bengals continued to pressure with three great chances, including another shot off the crossbar. Tigers Captain Ryan Chyzowski would strike for the teams 7th powerplay goal in three games against the Hitmen on two great feeds, the first from Brett Kemp, the second from Cole Clayton, helping all three players extend their point scoring streaks.
The Hitmen took advantage of a Tigers mistake as they fail to clear the zone, Cael Zimmerman fakes a shot, dangles and gets the puck past Bjorklund to tie the game at one. Calgary keeps the pressure up as less than one minute later as Riley Fiddler-Schultz gets his second of the young season, putting the the Pink and Black up one. Josh Prokop and Evan Toth draw the assists on the go ahead marker.
The Tigers and Hitmen would exchange chances as Luke Prokop gets a decent chance from the point, but Bjorklund has the angle played perfectly and makes a good save. Ryan Chyzowski splits the defense and gets in on a partial breakaway, but Brayden Peters stands tall, keeping the lead to one.
The bad blood starts to boil over with just under 3 minutes to go. Orca Wiesblatt and Jackson van de Leest would get sent to the sin bin for the Hitmen, while Rhett Parsons and Dru Krebs sit for the Tigers, the penalties would offset so the action stays 5 on 5.
Medicine Hat would continue to push, but wouldn't be rewarded as Brayden Peters makes great save on a Daniel Baker point shot with just under a minute to go. With 42 seconds on the clock, The Hitmen won the draw and Jackson van de Leest fires the puck past Tiger keeper Garin Bjorklund with a nice wrist shot to give the Hitmen a two goal lead.
Tigers came out with speed in the second but Calgary goaltender Brayden Peters was equal to the challenge, flashing the leather and making a very nice glove save. Medicine Hat heads back to the PP as Tristan Zandee gets called for a trip with just under five minutes expired in the frame. With just eight seconds left on the man advantage Nick McCarry picks up the garbage as he gets the Tigers second powerplay goal on the night. Oren Shtrom made a dandy move on the initial chance and picks up and assist on the play, along with Daniel Baker.
Another Hitmen penalty as Orca Wiesblatt gets called for hooking at 8:26 of the second period, giving them their third PP of the evening. Corson Hopwo got in behind the defense, but Brayden Peters again kicks out the left pad and takes one away from the Duncan, BC product. Calgary successfully killed this one off.
Calgary restored their two goal lead as Blake Allan deflects a blind pass to the slot from Connor Gabruch past Bjorklund. Adam Kydd gets the secondary assist on the goal.
Sean Tschrigerl set up Riley Fiddler-Schultz but Garin Bjorklund makes a fine save with 2:30 to go in the middle stanza to keep the Tigers to within one. The Hitmen keep pressuring as the Luke Prokop gets a quality chance, but hits the post. Medicine Hat's Corson Hopwo took a penalty on the ensuing scramble, putting the Hitmen on their first PP of the game. Calgary maintains pressure on the powerplay, but Washington Capitals draft pick Garin Bjorklund makes a couple key saves to keep the Tigers within reach. Just before the penalty expired, Adam Kydd stole the puck and put it in the slot testing the Tiger netminder again. Penalty successfully killed.
Right at the end of the period Calgary turned the puck over deep in their own zone, Tigers forward Corson Hopwo takes advantage of the turnover, setting up Nick McCarry, but he's left shaking his head as Brayden Peters robs him in the dying seconds of the second period.
4-2 Hitmen after 40 minutes of play.
Tigers start the third with a sense of urgency. Rookie Tyler MacKenzie steals the puck and shows some good patience, but couldn't get the puck past Calgary's Peters. The Orange and Black keep digging and the Hitmen couldn't clear the puck out of the defensive zone as Cole Clayton holds the line and puts the puck on the net, Oasiz Wiesblatt gets his second WHL Goal and makes it a one goal game as he pounces on the rebound. Moments later Tigers Captain Ryan Chyzowski set up an activated Cole Clayton but Peters robs him point blank. At 8:16 of the third period Riley Stotts clears the puck up over the glass, takes a delay of game penalty. Medicine Hat goes back to work on the powerplay, great puck movement. Jackson van de Leest keeps the Hitmen up by one, blocking multiple shots and deflecting passes. Calgary finishes the kill successfully.
Both keepers would be continued to be tested, but Bjorklund and Peters continued to shine. Ashton Ferster lays down and blocks a huge Luke Prokop shot drawing a big reaction from his Tiger teammates.
The Tabbies pull Bjorklund with just under 2 minutes left. Jackson van de Leest shoots the puck 180 feet into the gaping net to restore Calgary's two goal lead with his second of the night. Medicine Hat keeps the net empty and Brett Kemp beats Brayden Peters with 53.9 ticks left on the clock to bring the Tigers back to within one. The Tigers keep pressing, but the Hitmen hold on to win the game 5-4. Brayden Peters makes 37 saves to earn his 2nd win of the season, while Bjorklund makes 36 saves and gets tabbed with the L.
The Tigers are now on their bye-week and will return to action when they take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes on March 26 at Co-op Place. Puck drop is 7:00pm.
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