Brendan Lee (39) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in a 7-3 Medicine Hat TIgers victory over the Kamloops Blazers. (Jacob Varcoe Photo)

By Jacob Varcoe

Tigers run Blazers out of building in 7-3 victory

Feb 26, 2023 | 12:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Medicine Hat Tigers dawned new jerseys on Friday night at Co-op Place, they had a new goal scorer too.

Brett Calhoon scored the game-winner five minutes into the second period cashing in on a breakaway opportunity after coming out of the penalty box, putting the puck past Kamloops goaltender Matthew Kieper in front of 3,012 fans.

With the victory, Medicine Hat improves to 24-23-8-1, while Kamloops drops to 38-11-4-2. The Tigers occupy seventh place in the Eastern Conference, inside a playoff spot, while the Blazers stay in second in the West.

Olen Zellweger scored two goals for the visitors, also adding an assist on their third goal. Zellweger is tied for second on Kamloops in points with 63.

After Zellweger’s opened the scoring 2:28 into the first period, Medicine Hat scored four straight goals, including the game-winner.

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Calhoon’s game-winner was the first goal of his Western Hockey League career.

“I got out out of the box and got that breakaway and it felt great. ,” said Calhoon, post-game.

“Just giving us confidence to go into these next games is big.”

With their victory, the Tigers defeated the Blazers in the lone meeting between the teams during the 2022-23 regular season. Medicine Hat is back in action on Tuesday night, when they host the Swift Current Broncos. Meanwhile, Kamloops will face off against the Kelowna Rockets at home on Friday.