By Mitch Bach

Hamblin ready for clash against hometown team

Jan 27, 2017 | 12:35 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Growing up, James Hamblin cheered on the Edmonton Oil Kings.

“Being from Edmonton, going to Oil Kings games, I guess I’d have to say I was a little bit of an Oil Kings fan,” said the 17-year-old with a smile on his face.

So when he battles his former home-town team, it’s something special.

“Especially last year,” said Hamblin, who scored the Tigers final goal in a 5-2 win over Edmonton on January 8th. “I used to go to Oil Kings games, and see those players. Then suddenly you’re playing against them. It’s kind of a cool feeling, and sometimes it’s still like that.”

Although none of those players remain with Edmonton, that cool feeling is still relevant ahead of tonight’s clash at the Canalta Centre. Medicine Hat hasn’t had a problem in their two matches prior, and look to remain undefeated against their Central Division rivals.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

“They’re usually a little bit of a bigger team, a bit slower,” added Hamblin. “We’re built on speed, and I think when we use our speed, and get pucks deep and get around them, I think that really works to our advantage.”

The Tigers are coming off a strong 8-goal performance against the Kootenay Ice on Tuesday. Hamblin was one of 14 players to collect at least a point, pitching in with two helpers.

“It didn’t go great for us early on,” said head coach and GM Shaun Clouston on his team’s performance in B.C. “But we were doing things the right way. We were managing the puck well, and we were coming back and defending hard as a group.”

A similar mind-set is needed for tonight’s game. Lighting the lamp hasn’t been a problem for the Tigers, who remain second behind only Regina for the WHL lead in goals-scored. But the Edmonton Oil Kings have given up the second fewest goals in the division behind Medicine Hat.

At the same time, the Edmonton Oil Kings are in a position all to familiar to the Medicine Hat Tigers of last year; outside of a playoff spot heading into the final two months of play. They sit six points back of the Saskatoon Blades for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

“We ended up winning a lot more games than we lost down the stretch,” added Clouston. ” And I’m sure Edmonton wishes they could get back into the playoffs.

“We’re going to respect our opponent each and every night, and know that each team has good players and every team is doing everything they can to compete and be successful.”

Game time tonight is 7:30p.m. from the Canalta Centre. Bob Ridley will have full play-by-play on CHAT 94.5 FM, beginning with the pre-game show at 7 p.m.