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Tigers rack up first victory in home opener against Lethbridge

Sep 23, 2017 | 10:47 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It was a rebound performance the Medicine Hat Tigers (1-1) were looking for and it was a rebound performance they gave, shutting out the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-0 in their home opener on Saturday.

Searching for their first win of the 2017-18 WHL campaign, the Tigers were coming off a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Hurricanes in their season opener on Friday evening in Lethbridge.

Just before puck drop, the entire Tigers lineup was announced with the largest of cheers from the crowd reserved for returning veterans Mark Rassell and David Quenneville.

Tigers scratches Zach Fischer, Kristians Rubins, and Jordan Hollett also threw on jerseys and joined their teammates despite their injuries and sickness.

A glorious chance for top-line centre James Hamblin midway through the first period, receiving a pass all alone in front of Lethbridge’s Stuart Skinner in the slot.

Hamblin took a moment to set his shot, but ultimately rang it off the iron and kept the game scoreless.

Another conversation with the post shortly after for Medicine Hat, with David Quenneville ringing iron on a power play chance.

Despite the chances, the Tigers and Hurricanes went to the first intermission with the score 0-0.

It didn’t take long for the Tigers to make an impact in the second period however, with Ryan Chyzowski cleaning up a loose puck following a two-on-one chance.

Scoring 1:20 into the second period, it was the Tigers taking a 1-0 lead.

Less than three minutes later, rookie forward Josh Williams was sprung on a breakaway and stopped by Skinner.

Rassell was also stopped on the doorstep before Williams found the loose puck, turned, and scored the second goal of his WHL career to put Medicine Hat up 2-0.

Medicine Hat went back on the power play midway through the period, with Rassell showing off some great hand-eye coordination by batting the puck in mid-air, off a defender, and past Skinner to make it a 3-0 contest.

Max Gerlach potted an empty net goal to seal it for Medicine Hat, with the Tigers getting their first win of the season by a 4-0 score.

Goalie Michael Bullion registered his first victory with the Tigers since last year’s playoffs, stopping all 22 shots he faced to pick up the shutout.

Pressure from Medicine Hat was constant throughout the evening, outshooting the Hurricanes by a 44-22 count.

The Tigers hit the road for Saskatchewan next weekend, as they head to Saskatoon to battle the Blades on Friday night.