By Mitch Bach

Winterhawks reign supreme in night dedicated to Kelly Hrudey

Nov 29, 2017 | 9:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Kelly Hrudey brought the Canalta Centre fan-base to its feet, but the Portland Winterhawks were the last ones standing in a 5-2 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday.

The Tigers have now lost three in a row for the first time this season, while the Winterhawks return to the win column after having their 10-game winning streak snapped via shootout in Lethbridge on Tuesday.

Following a short tribute to the legendary goaltender, Hrudey took centre ice solo. The Canalta Centre recognized the three-year Tigers alumni with a standing ovation, which was shortly followed by each teams respective captains, Mark Rassell for the Tigers and Keoni Texeira for the Winterhawks, meeting at the faceoff dot for Hrudey’s drop of the puck.

That really surprised me Mitch. So cool. Thanks to all the @tigershockey fans for the ovation. https://t.co/GJ63g3WWbX

— Kelly Hrudey (@KellyHrudey) November 30, 2017

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Hrudey is currently touring through different parts of Canada to promote his book ‘Calling The Shots’. The memoir details the ‘ups, downs and rebounds’ involved with grinding out a successful 15-year NHL career. He hosted a book signing, along with co-writer Kirstie McLellan Day, at Costco earlier in the day.

It took Portland’s Cody Glass just 2:26 to score his 18th of the year. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect, who made history this summer as the first player drafted to the franchise in history, ripped a high shot past Jordan Hollett to give the ‘Hawks a 1-0 lead.

But Gary Haden provided the answer for the Tigers just over two minutes later. The 18-year-old corralled a loose puck directly in front of Cole Kehler to square the contest at 1-1. Haden now has seven goals on the season, matching a career high set last year.

But crossing the midway mark of the period, Jake Gricius swept a low jab between the wickets of Hollett, earning the Winterhawks a 2-1 advantage after period one.

Just one goal coming in the second period. On a Tigers powerplay, Dave Quenneville snapped a perfectly timed shot which deflected neatly off the stick of Max Gerlach. With that being his second point of the night, Gerlach has produced multi-point efforts in three of his last five games.

Joachim Blichfeld gave Portland it’s third lead of the game 67 seconds into the third period. That served as the game winner, and Blichfeld’s second point of the night. The Tigers pulled Hollett with a little over two minute to go, allowing Cody Glass to notch his second of the night and ice down any chance at a comeback. Mason Mannek scored the ‘Hawks second empty netter with nine seconds left.

Although shaky to start, Hollett smoothed his game out as it progressed making 33 saves in the loss. On the other end, Cole Kehler secured his league-leading 17th victory of the season with 27 saves.

Medicine Hat will look to bounce off their three-game slide Friday night, hosting the Victoria Royals (7:30 p.m.).