By Mitch Bach

Memorable night for Craven as Tigers top Rebels 5-2

Oct 24, 2017 | 9:47 PM

RED DEER, AB — Joel Craven left an immediate impact in his WHL debut.

The rookie defenceman scored his first career goal, Michael Bullion turned aside 30 shots, and the Medicine Hat Tigers regained sole possession of first place in the Central Division with a 5-2 win over the Red Deer Rebels Tuesday night.

Craven, the son of former Tiger Murray Craven, had a postponed debut with an upper body injury. The 17-year-old scored the Tabbies fifth and final tally of the night to improve their season record to 7-4-0-0.

Red Deer surrendered two separate leads. Brandon Hagel notched his fourth of the season to open the scoring in the first period. Tigers forward Ryan Chyzowski collected his fifth marker of the year early in the second, but Lane Zablocki regained the Rebels lead 2-1 just over a minute later.

Chyzowski’s lone marker helped earn him first star honours on the night. Jimmy Hamblin was named the game’s second star with two assists, and Rebels forward Reese Johnson was awarded third star.

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From there, the Tigers found their scoring touch. Ryan Jevne tied the game, and Dave Quenneville struck on the powerplay to give the Tigers their first lead of the game late in the middle frame.

Tyler Preziuso gave Medicine Hat some insurance with his third of the season, and Craven rounded out the scoring in a game which diminishes a rough night in Lethbridge on Sunday.

Hayden Ostir collected his first point since joining the Tigers over the weekend. The 18-year-old from Winnipeg set up Chyzowski net-side to get the goal’s first assist.

Bullion improved his personal record to 4-2 with his best performance since a 22-save shutout in the Tigers home opener. 

A drive back to the Hat for the Tigers before welcoming former Tiger Zach Fischer and the Spokane Chiefs to the Canalta Centre on Wednesday night.