GAME 7 VS. KAMLOOPS
VS. BLAZERS: Tonight the Tigers take on their first BC Division opponent this season in the Kamloops Blazers. Kamloops has been on the road for all but one game this season and continued their Central Division road trip last night in Calgary, a 2-1 loss. Medicine Hat is on a streak to start the year and come off a 6-3 victory in comeback fashion nonetheless yesterday.
BY THE NUMBERS
October 8th, 2016
2016-17 WHL RANKINGS:
OVERALL: (5-1-0-0)
HOME: 3-0-0-0
AWAY: 2-1-0-0
Central Division: 1st
Eastern Conference: 1st
INJURY UPDATES:
NONE
15-16 SEASON SERIES VS. BLAZERS
OVERALL: 2-0-0-0
HOME: 1-0-0-0
AWAY: 1-0-0-0
LAST 5 SEASONS: 7-0-0-0 (MH)
LAST WIN: Jan 23, 2016 – 6-5
2016-17 CLUB LEADERS:
GOALS: FISCHER, RASSELL (5)
ASSISTS: CHAD BUTCHER (11)
POINTS: CHAD BUTCHER (13)
PIM: ZACH FISCHER (16)
PLUS MINUS: RUBINS, BUTCHER (+5)
WINS: NICK SCHNEIDER (4)
16-17 CLUB COMPARISON:
| TIGERS | BLAZERS | |
| PP HOME | 45.5% | 60.0% |
| PP AWAY | 44.4% | 4.8% |
| PP OVERALL | 44.8% (2nd) | 22.6% (7th) |
| PK HOME | 80.0% | 87.5% |
| PK AWAY | 88.9% | 86.2% |
| PK OVERALL | 84.9% (8TH) | 86.5% (5TH) |
| AT HOME | 3-0-0-0 | 1-0-0-0 |
| ON ROAD | 2-1-0-0 | 1-5-0-0 |
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP:
- Medicine Hat has dominated the season series against the Blazers over the past 5 seasons, going undefeated (7-0-0-0) including a 4-0-0-0 mark at home
- The Tigers are outshooting their opponents 274 to 154 this season and have only been outshot three times in 18 periods of hockey. The Tigers had the most victories in the WHL last season when outshooting the opponent with 9 wins. Last night was the first time the Tigers were outshot in a game this season (40-34)
- Deven Sideroff leads all returning Blazers forwards in scoring against the Tigers with 4 points in the 2 games last season, Quinn Benjafield is currently on a 4 game point streak, recording 4 points in that span
TIGERS FAST FACTS:
- Tigers have the 2nd best power play in the entire WHL, which technically should be the best unit in the league as the 1st place Spokane Chiefs have only played 3 games this season. The Tigers 13 power play goals so far also are a league high
- The Tigers have only won 5 consecutive games 5 times since 2012-13, with 3 of them coming during the 2014-15 season
- Matt Bradley’s 9 game point streak was snapped last night but multiple Tigers are on small 3 game streaks including Chad Butcher (6 points), David Quenneville (5 points) and Mason Shaw (6 points)
RAZZLE DAZZLE: Mark Rassell has had an incredible start to the season for the Tigers. With 6 points in 6 games, including 5 goals (2 of them shorthanded) Rassell has established himself as an excellent penalty killer and is getting rewarded for his hard work. At this point last season Rassell had 4 points but also missed 2 games. Rassell has also ‘patented’ a breakaway move which has landed him 3 of his 5 goals this season.
WHO TO WATCH: Tigers – Tigers Power Play: Instead of looking for a player, make sure to keep your eyes on the Tigers PP unit, which is almost running at a 50% clip through the first 6 games Blazers– Jermaine Loewen: Loewen seems to play well against the Tigers, in his two games last season the 6’4 forward scored twice including the Blazers Teddy Bear Toss goal in Kamloops December 5th, look for Loewen to be a thorn in the side of Tigers defense
HOMESTAND: Tonight kicks off a 5 game homestand for the Tigers. Medicine Hat welcomes 3 BC Division foes who travel East starting with Kamloops. Victoria pays a visit on Tuesday followed by Calgary and Vancouver next weekend before a date with Kootenay Wed. October 19
NHL DRAFTED / SIGNED PLAYERS: Matt Bradley (Montreal Canadiens), Nick Schneider (Calgary Flames), John Dahlstrom (Chicago Blackhawks), David Quenneville (New York Islanders)
ATB FINANCIAL – TIGERS BROADCAST: Listen to legendary Bob Ridley broadcast all Tigers games on CHAT 94.5 FM. Bob Ridley has called all but one Tigers’ Game in Team history since the Medicine Hat Tigers came into the league in 1970.
| LAST FIVE REGULAR SEASON | RESULTS: | NEXT FIVE: | TIME: |
| Sept 24 VS. Lethbridge Hurricanes | 9-3 WIN | VS. Kamloops Blazers Saturday October 8 | 7:30 PM (MT) |
| Sept 30 VS. Saskatoon Blades | 5-1 WIN | VS. Victoria Royals Tuesday October 11 | 7:00 PM (MT) |
| Oct 1 @ Swift Current Broncos | 3-1 WIN | VS. Calgary Hitmen Friday October 14 | 7:30 PM (MT) |
| Oct 5 VS. Moose Jaw Warriors | 5-4 OTW | VS. Vancouver Giants Saturday October 15 | 7:30 PM (MT) |
| Oct 7 @ Red Deer Rebels | 6-3 WIN | VS. Kootenay Ice Wednesday October 19 | 7:00 PM (MT) |
