By Mitch Bach

Powerplay, Quenneville click as Tigers rout Blades 5-2

Oct 13, 2017 | 9:48 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —The man-advantage was relentless for the Medicine Hat Tigers Friday night.

The Tabbies connected for five powerplay goals in a dominating 5-2 victory over the Saskatoon Blades at the Canalta Centre. Defenceman David Quenneville matched a career high four points on the night, scoring the opening marker and adding three helpers.

For just the second time this season, Medicine Hat has won back-to-back games, improving their season record to 5-3-0-0.

Quenneville’s defense partner Linus Nassen found the scoresheet with three assists — the Swede’s most offensive showing in his rookie campaign thus far.

After watching Wednesday’s match against Everett from the bench, Jordan Hollett returned to the blue paint and stopped 26 of 28 shots for the victory.

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The Tigers were lacking the efforts of Max Gerlach and Jaeger White. Gerlach, who put together a four-point performance the last time these two teams met in September, remains day-to-day with a lacerated lip. White was hurt in practice earlier this week. Both should return to action next Friday. This caused head coach & GM Shaun Clouston to roll with 11 forwards and seven defenceman for the second straight game.

Medicine Hat opened the scoring with a powerplay marker 6:11 into the game. After scoring his first of the season on Wednesday, David Quenneville finished off a one-two-three passing play from Mark Rassell and James Hamblin from the slot. The Tigers held a 13-5 shot advantage following 20 minutes of play.

James Hamblin chalked up his first goal of the season, also on the powerplay, approaching the halfway mark of the second period. With less than three minutes until the break, captain Mark Rassell continued his offensive explosion to the season’s beginning, scoring his team-leading ninth goal.

Josh Williams added to the Tigers lead with his second of the season early in the third, and Kristians Rubins collected his first of the year moments later to round out the Tigers scoring.

After going 5-for-7 on the powerplay, Medicine Hat is now ranked second among all WHL teams in that department, trailing only the Regina Pats. Saskatoon dawns the worst penalty kill, succeeding at a 59.4% clip.

Saskatoon’s goals were scored by Jackson Caller and Josh Paterson, both of which finding the twine for the first time this season.

Ryan Kubic made 32 saves in the loss.

Medicine Hat now gets a much needed week-long rest before wrapping up a five-game home stand against the Kootenay Ice next Friday (7:30pm).