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WHL Medicine Hat Tigers

Year in Review: Part 2 - Big Games

March 31, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release


Medicine Hat, AB - The Medicine Hat Tigers played in 73 games this season, one more than any other club with the exception of Edmonton of course. During those games the Tigers battled their way to a potential post season berth. Lots of blood, sweat and tears were given every night to try and pick up the victory and in some instances the boys proved to stop the hearts of many Tiger fans.

In Part 2 of the Year In review we recap some of the biggest and most memorable games this past season!

September 26th, 2015 vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes - Tigers Home Opener

In the 45 year history of the Medicine Hat Tigers, the Tiger played a regular season game in another venue not called 'The Arena'. 5900+ fans packed the brand new Canalta Centre to witness the first ever WHL game in the new barn and it didn't take long for the crowd to get rowdy. Rookie forward Max Gerlach scored the first goal in team history at their new arena and first goal of his career to open the scoring.

Mark Rassell potted his first of the new campaign just 37 seconds later to increase the lead. Medicine Hat would score 4 times in the period as David Quenneville and Cole Sanford potted power play goals for a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes. The Tigers would hang onto the lead as Lethbridge netted two late goals but it wasn't enough as Medicine Hat took home the 5-3 victory, their first ever in the Canalta Centre.

October 28th, 2015 vs. Spokane Chiefs - Rookie Showcase

The Spokane Chiefs, along with the entire US Division only make their trip to Alberta once every two years. On October 28th, they made their first ever visit to the Canalta Centre and with a young Tigers squad waiting their arrival, it was said rookies who would put on a show.

Max Gerlach who already made a name for himself in the home opener scoring the first goal in Tigers Canalta Centre history, was back on the scoresheet, netting his first career multi-goal game, potting his 4th and 5th of the season while adding an assist. Tyler Preziuso and Caleb Fantillo also chipped in with their first career multi-point games as the rookies combined for 7 points in a 6-2 victory.

November 1st, 2015 vs. Red Deer - Massive Comeback

Taking on the Memorial Cup hosts is always a tough feat and the Red Deer Rebels were the team to beat early in the season. On this night the Rebels came in on top of their game while the Tigers were still finding their legs with an almost new roster. Medicine Hat stumbled out of the gate and took a 3-0 deficit into the 1st intermission break. The second period saw a better push back by the Tabbies with goals from Clayton Kirichenko and Alex Mowbray which cut into the lead. After 40 minutes the Tigers trailed 5-2.

The biggest moment of the game came in the final 20 minutes when Medicine Hat would outplay the Rebels in all facets of the game. Steven Owre made the game 5-3 at the midway point of the period. Many fans wrote off the Tigers as the game remained 5-3 into the final 3 minutes. Chad Butcher would score moments later to put the Tabbies within 1. Finally, Matt Bradley tipped home a Butcher point shot with the net empty to tie the game at 5's with only 1 second remaining on the clock, capping off a huge comeback. Unfortunately the Rebels would take the victory in a shootout, but this game will stick as a memorable game in 2015.

November 14th, 2015 vs. Kootenay - Bang Bang

The Kootenay Ice knew they were in for a long rebuild season and as they made their way to the Canalta Centre the Tigers were struggling only picking up 2 points in their last 4 games. Newly acquired goaltender Mack Shields got the start as Ryan Jevne and Matt Bradley scored in the first period to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission.

The real moment in this game was the ending of the second period, where the Tigers would score 3 goals in under 3 minutes. Chad Butcher kicked it off with an end to end beauty and then 2 goals in 8 seconds gave the Tabbies a 5-3 lead. Although the league record is only 2 seconds between goals, the Tabbies still made a memorable season moment scoring before the fans could catch their breath.

December 12th, 2015 vs. Edmonton - Teddy Bears

Each year the Tigers support many charitable causes, donating items for auctions and raising money. But every year in December the Tigers put on their annual Teddy Bear Toss game and on this night the Tabbies made the holiday season magical for some at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. With the Tigers on a stretch of 1 victory in their past 9 games and having 3 straight games against the team they were chasing in the standings, the Edmonton Oil Kings, it was an early "must win" time for the Tigers.

Matt Bradley would open the scoring and sent the Teddy Bears raining down on the ice as he potted his 7th of the season on a rebound with assists to rookie Caleb Fantillo and Ryan Jevne. The Tigers collected over 2500 items which included Teddy Bears and winter clothing in another successful Teddy Bear Toss. The Tigers also won the game 5-3, which was the first of three straight wins over Edmonton.

December 31st, 2015 vs. Moose Jaw - Capping off the Year

The Tigers played a very rare New Year's Eve game in Moose Jaw to cap off the 2015 calendar year hoping to drive back home through the night arriving in 2016 with a win under their belt. Rookie standout Max Gerlach continued his hot start to his career scoring his 21st of the season, leading the Tigers in that category.

The night also showcased a few firsts for the Tabbies as Ty Schultz netted his 1st goal of the season and rookie call-up Baxter Anderson scored his first career WHL goal in the third period to put the game away. Mack Shields stopped 32 of 34 shots to pick up the win in a 6-2 victory.

January 13th, 2016 vs. Kamloops - Another Comeback

In a season where the term "Comeback Kids" was used often by Tigers fans because of their resilience in games to not give up and not back down. On this night the Tigers found themselves in a large hole after two periods. Only Chad Butcher could find the scoresheet but the Blazers were able to put 4 pucks past Mack Shields before Nick Schneider took over late in the second.

It set the stage for another comeback for the Tigers. However the third period didn't start like a comeback was going to happen as 38 seconds in the Blazers would score to increase the deficit to 5-1. After the goal it seemed the Tiger found new life and Mason Shaw would capitalize on the power play 2 minutes later to cut into the lead. Mark Rassell, Alex Mowbray and finally Rassell again scored in the third period to mount a comeback, scoring 4 unanswered goals to tie the game 5-5.

Similar to the November 1st game against Red Deer earlier in the year, Medicine Hat and the Blazers went to a shootout. However this time, Shaw and Bradley would score in a 6 round skills competition to pick up the 6-5 victory.

February 21st, 2016 vs. Calgary - Season Turnaround

Many games can make or break your season and for the Tigers it would be a safe assumption the comeback victory at the Scotiabank Saddledome kick started a miraculous run to the post season. On this night the Hitmen and Tigers were encompassed in a hard fought division rivalry game. Mack Shields got the start against his former club and he was on his game as the Tabbies were outshot 42-24.

Ty Stanton scored early in the first period but the Hitmen would climb back in the second with 2 unanswered goals. Alex Mowbray would tie the game in the third period with his career high 11th goal of the season shorthanded on a beautiful passing play by David Quenneville and Matt Bradley. The game would remain tied and headed into overtime where Chad Butcher ended things with his 20th goal of the season.

The victory was just the Tigers 2nd in their past 11 games but from then on the Tabbies only lost 3 games in regulation.

March 13th, 2016 vs. Calgary - Back to Back finish

With only 2 games remaining on the Tigers schedule after this game in Calgary and the Tigers pushing for the final playoff spot, it was a must win game against a very tough Calgary squad. Coming off of a heartbreaking loss to the Kootenay Ice where the Tigers threw 59 shots on goal this game was crucial if Medicine Hat wanted any hope of playoff hockey at the Canalta Centre.

The Tigers got on the board first from a Zach Fischer power play goal, but the lead was short lived as the Hitmen came back with 3 unanswered goals over the next period and half. But in typical Tigers fashion the comeback kids worked their magic and scored 3 unanswered goals of their own with Matt Bradley scoring the game winner to take home a 4-3 victory, hoping for an Edmonton loss a few days later.

March 19th, 2016 vs. Lethbridge - Must win

It all came down to one regular season game to see if the Tigers could force a tiebreaker game the following week, but they would have to get through their biggest rival the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Ty Schultz would open the scoring with a point shot that found its way past Hurricanes backup Jayden Sittler.

Ryan Jevne would score his 6th of the season with a bullet one timer on the power play to give the Tabbies a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes in front of 5006 fans at the Canalta Centre. With no scoring in the second period, fans and players were on edge for the third period. Brian Williams would score the biggest goal of his Tigers career 1:26 into the third period to increase the lead to 2 goals. The 'Canes would cut into the lead moments later but the Tigers would hold onto the lead as Zach Fischer scored into an empty net to seal the game and force a tie breaker game.

March 22nd, 2016 vs. Edmonton - Break the Tie

In the first ever tiebreaker game in Tigers franchise history the Tigers looked to sweep the Edmonton Oil Kings in 7 straight meetings during the season. Caleb Fantillo and Chad Butcher scored back to back in the opening 5 minutes of the game for an early 2-0 lead, rocking the Canalta Centre. However a shorthanded goal by Edmonton started their comeback of 3 unanswered in the 1st period.

In a game similar to the game days earlier against the 'Canes, there was no scoring in the second period as both teams played solid defensively. The third period saw Edmonton take a 4-2 lead just 2 minutes in, but the Tabbies came back with two goals of their own with Mark Rassell and Mason Shaw scoring 55 seconds apart to tie the game at the midway point.

Edmonton would get a power play goal with 8 minutes remaining in the game to take a 1 goal lead. Medicine Hat threw the kitchen sink at Edmonton starter Payton Lee with 20 shots in the frame, but they couldn't solve him for the equalizer, eventually ending the season of the Tigers.

With so many memorable games this season to choose from the Tigers would like to thank their fans for their support this season and through the highs and lows this past season.

In part 3 of the Year In Review, we will take a look at the Biggest Surprises from the 2015-16 season.

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