GAME 64 @ LETHBRIDGE
The Story Coming In
The Medicine Hat Tigers came back from a first period 4-1 deficit only to fall 6-5 in overtime to the Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday night. It was veteran forward Ryan Jevne’s first game back after sustaining an injury and he scored twice and picked up an assist. The Tigers are now 32-25-4-2 and they are currently sitting in 7th place in the Eastern Conference. Medicine Hat is led by veteran forwards James Hamblin with 71 points (32G, 39A) and Ryan Jevne with 58 points (28G, 30A).
Tigers vs. Hurricanes
For the ninth time this regular season, these two Central Division rivals will meet. Medicine Hat is 3-5-0-0 against Lethbridge this season and their most recent victory was Dec 30, 2018, in a 5-4 shootout final. The Tigers came back from a 4-2 deficit to send the game into extra time. When nothing was solved in overtime, Ryan Jevne scored the game-winning goal in the shootout. The final game between the Tigers and the Hurricanes will be in Medicine Hat March 16th, 2019.
View from Lethbridge
The Lethbridge Hurricanes clinched their playoff spot after defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings 4-1 on Wednesday night. Affiliate player Zack Stringer scored his first WHL goal in the game and earned the first star of the night. The Hurricanes are led by recently signed Colorado Avalanche prospect Nick Henry with 89 points (26G, 63A) and NHL Draft Eligible Dylan Cozens with 79 points (32G, 47A).
Tigers Talent
Ryan Jevne is a speedy, skilled forward in his fourth and final season with the Orange and Black. Jevne was a second-round draft pick in 2013 and since then he has suited up for 268 games, scored 63 goals and picked up 80 assists. The 20-year-old Edmonton product is the only current Tiger to have recorded a WHL hat trick. Jevne is an intelligent player who will look to make an impact in tonight’s tilt.
Captain’s Corner
Captain James Hamblin has been the Tigers’ top point producer all season with 71 points (32G, 39A) in 63 games played. The 19-year-old Edmonton native is a speedy, two-way forward who leads his team by example with his hard work ethic. Hamblin has been the Tigers most effective player against the Hurricanes this season with 10 points in 8 games played.
Quick Hits
- Brett Kemp picked up his 100th career WHL point on Wednesday night when he assisted on Ryan Jevne’s first goal of the game.
- Corson Hopwo is the Tigers’ leading rookie with 17 points (6G, 11A).
- The Tigers are 15-15-1-1 on the road this season.
- Ryan Chyzowski has 6 points (3G, 3A) in the Tigers’ last 3 games.
- The Medicine Hat Tigers will suit up Saturday night for their RE/MAX Presents the WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation game. The Tigers will wear special themed jerseys that will be auctioned off online starting at puck drop Saturday and going until 7:30 PM March 14th.
- After Saturday’s game, James Hamblin, Mads Søgaard, Logan Christensen and Eric Van Impe will all be available on the main concourse in front of the Tigers Souvenir Store to sign autographs.
- The 1986-87 and 1987-88 Medicine Hat Tigers teams along with Bob Ridley, the legendary voice of the Tigers, have all been selected to be inducted in the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.
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 48 seasons of playing major junior hockey, the Tigers have won 2 Scotty Munro Memorial Trophies, as well as, 210 playoff games which led to winning 43 playoff series, raising 33 banners, winning five Ed Chynoweth Cups and two Memorial Cups.
