GAME 55 VS WINNIPEG
The Story Coming In
The Medicine Hat Tigers fell 5-2 to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday night at Rogers Place and they will be looking to bounce back today when they host the Winnipeg ICE. The Tigers are 34-17-2-1 and they are led by their Captain James Hamblin with 82 points (33G, 49A). Today’s game against the ICE is the first game of a three game homestand for the Tabbies. They will host the Tri-City Americans Friday and the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday.
Tigers vs. ICE
For the final time this season, the Tigers will faceoff against the ICE. The Tabbies are 2-1-0-0 against the ICE in this year’s season series. They won the first two meetings, 5-2 in October and 4-1 in January before falling 4-1 February 8th. Fourteen Tigers have a point or more in this year’s season series against the ICE and leading the way is their Captain James Hamblin who has four points (1G, 3A) in three games played. Over the past five years, the Tigers are 20-3-0-0 against the ICE organization and 10-1-0-0 when playing at home.
View from Winnipeg
The Winnipeg ICE have been on a four game Central Division road trip that ends today in Medicine Hat. The ICE are 2-1-0-0 on their road trip so far. They defeated the Swift Current Broncos 8-3, then split a pair of games against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, losing 5-4 on Friday and bouncing back to win 5-2 Saturday. The ICE are 33-20-1-0 and they are led by veteran forward Isaac Johnson with 63 points (22G, 41A). After today’s game, Winnipeg will return home to host the Edmonton Oil Kings for the first game of a home and home series.
Tigers Talent
Lukas Svejkovsky is in his first year of NHL Draft Eligibility and he joined the Tigers on a trade in December. Since suiting up for the Orange and Black, the 18-year-old Point Roberts, WA product quickly created chemistry with his linemates Captain James Hamblin and Corson Hopwo. He has 20 points (10G, 10A) in 25 games played. Svejkovsky has good puck skills, great vision and a high hockey IQ which allows him to get better every game. Look for Svejkovsky to make an impact in this afternoon’s tilt.
Captain’s Corner
Captain James Hamblin is a solid 200 foot player who protects his zone and takes care of his responsibilities. He is a smart, speedy centre with great playmaking skills and who is not afraid to light the lamp himself. The 20-year-old Edmonton native has been the Tigers’ top point producer all season and he is currently second in league scoring with 82 points. He is also tied in third for most goals with 33 and he is in fourth for most assists (49). Look for the Captain to lead his team by example in tonight’s game.
Quick Hits
- Today veteran forward Elijah Brown is expected to suit up for his 200th career WHL game. In his WHL career, the 19-year-old Edmonton product has 33 career goals and 59 career assists for a total of 92 career points.
- Rookie defenceman Dru Krebs celebrated his 17th birthday on Sunday, Feb 16th. He is the youngest of three brothers who currently play in the league. Oldest brother Dakota is in his overage season with the Calgary Hitmen and while his other brother Peyton is the captain of the Winnipeg ICE.
- Alumni update:
- The St. Louis Blues announced Friday that defenceman Jay Bouwmeester underwent a successful Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) procedure at UC Irvine Medical Center in Anaheim, CA, after collapsing on the bench during a game Tuesday.
- David Quenneville is on the move, he was traded from the New York Islander organization to the New Jersey Devils organization on Sunday. Quenneville and a 2021 second round draft pick were traded to the Devils in exchange for Andy Greene. Quenneville is expected to report to the Devils’ AHL affiliate the Binghampton Devils.
Game Sponsor
Gas King started selling fuel in Lethbridge in 1985 and they were one of the few independent fuel retailers in the area. They purchase fuel produced in the Edmonton area and they have since expanded to Medicine Hat.
CF Industries Community Corner
CF Industries is a global leader in transforming natural gas into nitrogen. The chemical processes used ensures they have the nitrogen they need to support life on earth – from fertilizer that feeds the crops that feed the world to products that remove harmful emissions from industrial activities.
Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society supports individuals impacted by family violence with safe shelter, education, advocacy and access to community resources. As part of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February, the Women’s Shelter Society is encouraging people to start the conversation with youth about what healthy relationships look like. Stop by their booth for resources and create free buttons that promote healthy relationships as part of the MHWSS partnership with the Medicine Hat Public Library.
Montana’s BBQ & Bar Birthday Party Package
The Medicine Hat Tigers along with Montana’s BBQ & Bar are excited to introduce Birthday Party Packages this season. There are three different packages that fans can choose from and all packages include two adult tickets and eight child tickets. To inquire about Montana’s BBQ & Bar Birthday Party Packages please call the Tigers Office at 403.526.2666.
About the Medicine Hat Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL) who play out of Medicine Hat, AB and were established in 1970. In 49 seasons of playing major junior hockey, the Tigers have won 2 Scotty Munro Memorial Trophies, as well as, 212 playoff games which led to winning 43 playoff series, raising 33 banners, winning five Ed Chynoweth Cups and two Memorial Cups.
