GAME 67 @ KOOTENAY
The Story Coming In
The Medicine Hat Tigers clinched a playoff spot after defeating the Red Deer Rebels 7-4 at home on Wednesday night. Brett Kemp scored his first career WHL hat-trick and picked up an assist while Ryan Chyzowski scored two goals and picked up two assists in the victory. It was Kemp’s and Chyzowski’s first four-point game of their WHL careers. Medicine Hat is now 34-26-4-2 this season and they are led by veteran forwards James Hamblin with 76 points (33G, 43A) and Ryan Jevne with 63 points (30G, 33A).
Tigers vs. ICE
Tonight’s game will be the final meeting between the Tigers and the ICE. These two Central Division rivals have met five times this season and the Orange and Black are 4-1-0-0 against the ICE. The last time the Tigers and the ICE faced off, the Tigers won 6-3 Feb 6, 2019, in Cranbrook.
View from Kootenay
The Kootenay ICE will end their 2018-19 campaign by hosting a pair of games at Western Financial Place. After tonight’s battle with the Tigers, the ICE will play the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday. The ICE are 12-44-7-3 this season and they are led by 2019 NHL Draft Eligible Peyton Krebs with 67 points (19G, 48A) and veteran forward Jaeger White with 50 points (27G, 23A).
Tigers Talent
“Brett has been playing playoff style hockey since coming back from injury. He’s been physical, blocking shots, doing all the little things away from the puck and that is leading to more offence for him and his linemates. Brett possesses great hockey sense which is why he is always around the puck. When he gets the puck, he has the vision and skill to make plays, whether that’s setting up a teammate for a scoring chance or taking it himself, he finds a way to create offensively. It’s been impressive to watch and we need him and his linemates to continue to play inspired hockey,” said Assistant Coach Joe Frazer on Brett Kemp.
Captain’s Corner
Captain James Hamblin has been the Tigers’ top point producer all season with 76 (33G, 43A). He has set new career highs in goals and points and he is currently tied with his career high of 43 assists he set last season. The 19-year-old Edmonton product is a hard-working, two-way forward who leads his team by example with his hard work ethic and determination. Look for Hamblin to make an impact in tonight’s game.
Quick Hits
- For the 40th time in franchise history, the Tigers clinched a playoff spot and it is the 15th time in the last 16 years that they have made an appearance in the postseason.
- Brett Kemp scored his first career WHL hat-trick against the Red Deer Rebels Wednesday night. Kemp is the second Tiger to record a hat-trick against the Rebels this season. Ryan Jevne scored his hat-trick against the Rebels Nov 28, 2018, in a 6-2 Tigers’ victory.
- Tyler Preziuso is the Tigers’ top point producer against the ICE this season. Preziuso has 3 goals and 6 assists in 5 games played.
- Corson Hopwo is the Tigers’ leading rookie with 17 points (6G, 11A).
- The Tigers’ power play has been 26.3% (5/19) effective against the ICE and their penalty kill has been 81.3% (3/16) effective.
- Ryan Jevne and Dylan MacPherson both scored their first WHL goals against the Kootenay ICE. Jevne’s first goal was Oct 16, 2015, in a 6-3 Tigers’ win and since then he has scored 65 career goals. MacPherson’s first goal was Oct 20th, 2017, in an 11-1 Tigers’ win and he has scored 6 career goals.
- The Tigers are 15-16-1-1 on the road this season.
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.
