Tigers forward Carter Chorney (right) celebrates his eventual game-winning goal to help Medicine Hat end a 12-game losing streak in a 2-0 win Saturday against Swift Current (Photo courtesy Randy Feere / Medicine Hat Tigers)

By Scott Roblin

Third Career Shutout

Bjorklund’s shutout backstops Tigers to first win since January

Mar 5, 2022 | 10:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Garin Bjorklund’s third career WHL shutout felt a little bit more special on Saturday night, guiding the Medicine Hat Tigers to their first victory since January 30.

Bjorklund stopped all 33 shots he faced from the Swift Current Broncos, while Carter Chorney broke a scoreless deadlock midway through the first period to help the Tigers earn a 2-0 victory to snap a 12-game losing streak in the process.

Saturday’s win is the first shutout of the season for Medicine Hat, who finally reached double-digits with their 10th victory of what’s been a trying 2021-22 season.

It was a goaltending duel in the first period between Bjorklund and Swift Current’s Isaac Poulter who turned aside everything they saw, including Bjorklund stopping former teammate Eric Van Impe with the pad in the dying seconds of the frame.

Swift Current got the upper hand midway through the second as Teague Patton went to the box on a high-sticking double-minor penalty, giving the Broncos four full minutes of time on the man advantage.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

Dec 14, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

The Tigers stood strong however, as they killed off the entirety of the double-minor to keep it a 0-0 score through 40 minutes of play.

Medicine Hat finally broke through with 9:39 left in the third as Carter Chorney off the rush put a backhand shot on net that squeaked past Poulter for the opening goal and a 1-0 Tigers lead.

Late in the game, the Tigers were forced to kill off another roughing penalty with Swift Current sending Poulter to the bench for the extra attacker and a six-on-four advantage.

Bogdans Hodass had other plans though as he cleared the zone late, with Owen MacNeil putting the puck into the empty net as time expired to help the black and orange pick up a long-awaited victory.

Bjorklund was the evening’s first star with his first shutout performance since March 26, 2021 over the Lethbridge Hurricanes, while Poulter stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced.

Improving to 10-38-3-1 on the year, the Tigers head back to Co-Op Place on Wednesday for a mid-week matchup at 7:00 pm against the Edmonton Oil Kings who are coming off their 11th win in a row.