TIGERS SPOIL TEDDY BEAR NIGHT FOR HITMEN
Sunday’s game between the Tigers and Hitmen featured two teams on different paths. The Tigers were 2-5-1-1 over their last ten games and their struggles continued the night previous with their third straight loss. Meanwhile the Hitmen were 7-3-0-0 in their previous ten games. The Hitmen were looking to continue their hot streak into their annual teddy bear toss game. The Hitmen saw their ice surface fill with bears in the second period but it was the only goal they would score in the 2-1 loss.
Curtis Valk, Emerson Etem and Tyler Bunz were the heros for the Tigers. Valk scored both goals for the Tigers. His first period goal gave the Tigers the early lead and his goal at the midway point of the third proved to be the game winner. Etem picked up the lone assist on each goal to bring his season point total to 58, second in the WHL. Bunz was great in net for the Tigers saving 37 of 38 shots for his 16th win. The Tigers’ special teams went 0 for 6 on the power play and 4 for 4 on the penalty kill.
Calder Brooks scored the lone goal for the Hitmen that brought the flurry of teddy bears down onto the ice surface. Danny Gayle and Rob Trzonkowski picked up the assists on the goal. Chris Driedger saved 15 of 17 shots for the Hitmen in net.
Earls Three Stars of the Night:
1) Calder Brooks – Calgary Hitmen
2) Curtis Valk – Medicine Hat Tigers
3) Tyler Bunz – Medicine Hat Tigers
The Tigers’ next game is Friday against the Kootenay Ice at the Cranbrook Recreation Complex. Game time is 7:00 (MST) and can be heard live on CHAT 94.5 FM at tigershockey.com or watched via webcast at livestream.whl.ca.
