GAME 58 @ REGINA

The Story Coming In

The Medicine Hat Tigers hosted the Tri-City Americans and the Spokane Chiefs for their annual battles this past weekend at the Canalta Centre. Friday, the Tigers defeated the Americans 4-2 before falling 2-1 to the Chiefs on Saturday. Eleven Tigers collected at least one point against the US Division teams this weekend and leading the way was Captain James Hamblin with a pair of goals against Tri-City on Friday. The Tabbies are 35-19-2-1 and they are led by Hamblin with 84 points (35G, 49A). After this weekend’s home and series with the Regina Pats, the Orange and Black will finish off the regular season playing nine games in March, including six at home, all against Central Division rivals.

Tigers vs. Pats

This weekend the Tigers and the Pats will face off in a home and home series. Tonight the battle takes place in Regina and tomorrow they will meet in Medicine Hat for the final time this season. The Tigers are 2-0-0-0 against the Pats this season, winning their first meeting 6-2 in Regina Oct 4^th and then shutting the door 7-0 in their second meeting Feb 11^th at the Canalta Centre. Veteran forward Ryan Chyzowski leads the way with six points (3G, 3A) in the season series so far. Over the past five years, Medicine Hat is 9-5-0-0 against Regina and 5-2-0-0 when playing at the Brandt Centre.

View from Regina

The Regina Pats played three games in three days last weekend and collected three points. Friday night, they fell 6-3 to the Saskatoon Blades. On Saturday they played hard against the Edmonton Oil Kings and lost 2-1 with 47 seconds left in overtime. Sunday, the Pats rebounded to take down the Brandon Wheat Kings 4-3 in overtime. Captain Austin Pratt scored the game winning goal just over two minutes into extra time. The Pats are 20-31-4-2 and they are led by Pratt with 51 points (19G, 32A). After this weekend’s home and home series with the Tigers, Regina will play nine games in March all against East Division rivals to close out the season.

Tigers Talent

Ryan Chyzowski is a skilled forward with a nose for the puck who is in his fourth season with the Orange and Black. The 19-year-old Kamloops product has good awareness and positioning in all three zones. He is reliable, competes hard and he has a lethal shot. Chyzowski has 27 goals and 31 assists for 58 points so far this season. In his career as a Tiger, Chyzowski has collected 13 points (7G, 6A) in 13 games played against the Pats. Look for Chyzowski to make an impact in tonight’s tilt.

Captain’s Corner

Captain James Hamblin has been the Tigers top point producer all season with 84 points (35G, 49A). The 20-year-old Edmonton product was drafted in the first round of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft by the Tigers and since then he has suited up for 318 games, scored 114 goals and collected 162 assists. 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. Look for the Tigers Captain to lead his team by example in tonight’s battle.

Quick Hits

• In their head to head series, the Tigers are (4/12) 33.3% on the power play against the Pats and (0/9) 100% on the penalty kill.
• All together the Tigers’ defencemen have contributed 146 points this season while their designated rookies have a combined total of 105 points.
• Three Tigers Rookies collected their first career WHL point in games played against the Regina Pats.
  • Cole Sillinger made his WHL debut against the Pats Oct 26, 2018, but collected his first career WHL point Dec 2^nd, 2018, when he assisted on Josh Williams’ game tying goal in a 3-2 Tigers victory.
  • Dru Krebs’ first career WHL point came Oct 4^th, 2019, when he assisted on Elijah Brown’s goal and he collected his second point by assisting Eric Van Impe’s goal in a 6-2 Tigers victory.
  • Caleb Willms collected his first career WHL point when he scored his first WHL goal against the Pats on Oct 4^th, 2019.
• After being acquired by the Tigers at the WHL deadline day in 2019, Brett Kemp immediately made his presence known by scoring a pair of goals in his debut with the Orange and Black on Jan 11, 2019, against the Regina Pats. The Tabbies won the game 5-2 and Kemp earned the first star of the game.
• The Tigers will play their WHL Suits Up to Promote Organ Donation Presented by RE/MAX game on Saturday, March 7^th when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings.
• Alumni Update:
  • Tyler Ennis was traded to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, Feb 24^th. He scored his first goal with his new team in his debut Tuesday, Feb 26^th. He also collected an assist in the 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
  • Jay Bouwmeester will not play the remainder of the season or playoffs after suffering a cardiac episode February 11^th.

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.