By Scott Roblin

Tigers stomp Rebels in plaid, raise almost $50,000 for Kidney Foundation

Mar 3, 2018 | 10:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The mantra of ‘look good, feel good’ was on full display for the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday night, dominating the Red Deer Rebels 6-1.

Wearing special third jerseys inspired by the attire of Don Cherry, the Tigers scored three goals in the second period to pick up their fifth win in their last six contests.

Before puck drop, the Tigers welcomed locals Sandy and Cassidy Creasy to perform the ceremonial opening face-off.

Three years ago, Sandy donated a kidney to her daughter and were the honourary guests of the Tigers, on a night where funds from a jersey auction went to supporting the Kidney Foundation.

Captain Mark Rassell’s sweater was the top seller going for $4,800, while the team raised an impressive $49,735 over the course of the evening.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Once game time arrived, it didn’t take long for Medicine Hat to get the opening goal with Gary Haden jumping on a loose puck in the crease and jamming it home 2:04 into the contest.

It looked like James Hamblin scored shortly after, but the refs ruled there was incidental contact with Rebels netminder Riley Lamb and it remained a 1-0 game.

Just over two minutes into the second period, Hayden Ostir in his second game back from injury was able to execute a perfect toe drag and fire it past Lamb short side for his ninth of the season.

Defenceman Linus Nassen picked up an assist on that play, earning a point in his return to the lineup after missing eight weeks with a wrist injury.

Midway through the frame David Quenneville was booked for high sticking, but that didn’t slow down Medicine Hat’s offence.

Two-time Tigers fastest skater Ryan Jevne turned on the after burners on the left side, picking up the loose puck and netting a shorthanded beauty past Lamb to make it 3-1.

Lamb’s rough evening continued a few minutes later, giving away the puck to Quenneville, who dished it to Haden for his second goal of the night.

That marker chased Lamb from the crease, giving up four goals on 30 shots through 33 minutes of action.

Red Deer finally got their first of the night late in the second period off a point shot by Hunter Donohoe, sneaking one past Michael Bullion to get the Rebels on the board entering the third.

Medicine Hat shut down any chance of a Rebels comeback in the third period though, limiting their divisional rivals to only three shots over the final 20 minutes of play.

Hamblin and Jevne added goals late in the third period to hammer the final nails in the coffin, securing a 6-1 win for the home side.

A quiet night at the office for Bullion with 17 saves on 18 shots, while the Tigers assaulted Lamb and backup Ethan Anders with 54 shots on the evening.

Earning points in six straight games, Medicine Hat has been rolling over the last few weeks with a 33-24-8-0 record and are four points ahead of Lethbridge for top spot in the Central Division.

Hitting the road for Cranbrook, B.C. on Saturday night, the Tigers will face the Kootenay ICE at 4:00 on Sunday afternoon to wrap up their weekend slate of games.