By Erin Schwab - Medicine Hat Tigers

GAME NOTES: Tigers battle Hitmen in crucial Central Division tilt

Jan 5, 2019 | 8:31 AM

Medicine Hat, AB – After picking up a thrilling 5-3 win over the visiting Kootenay ICE on Friday night, the Medicine Hat Tigers (22-15-1-2) are back at it again this afternoon. 

The Tabbies head down Highway One with a pivotal matchup against the Calgary Hitmen (18-16-3-1).

Heading into the game, both the Tigers and Hitmen currently vacate two playoff spots. 

Calgary currently holds the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot, while Medicine Hat sits third in the Central Division.

A reminder that today’s game will be televised on Sportsnet. Puck-drop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

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The Story Coming In

The Medicine Hat Tigers have won five straight games since returning to action after the holiday break. Last night the Tabbies took down the Kootenay ICE 5-4 with a great team performance, improving their record to 22-15-1-2. Leading the way for the Orange and Black are Captain James Hamblin with 47 points (23G, 24A) and veteran forward Ryan Jevne with 39 points (19G, 20A).

Tigers vs. Hitmen

Tonight will be the third meeting between these two Central Division rivals this season. In both of the previous contests, the home team has been prevalent. The Hitmen took the first game 7-5 in Calgary and the Tigers won the second 5-4 in Medicine Hat. Over the past five seasons, the Tigers are 15-4-1-0 against the Hitmen.

View from Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen have been heating up winning 4 straight games heading into this afternoon’s contest. Last night the Hitmen defeated the Red Deer Rebels 5-3. Cael Zimmerman had his first career multi-point game with 2 goals and 1 assist in the victory. The Hitmen are 18-16-3-1 and they are led by Jake Kryski with 42 points (18G, 24A) and Mark Kastelic with 41 points (27G, 14A).

Tigers Talent

Elijah Brown has 6 points (2G, 4A) in the Tigers’ last 3 games. The 19-year-old Edmonton product is a gritty, fearless forward with an offensive upside. Brown uses his speed to create opportunity all over the ice and he isn’t afraid to mix it up. His work ethic and creativity make him a fun player for fans to watch. Look for Brown to drive to the net and create scoring lanes today.

Captain’s Corner

Captain James Hamblin is a hardworking, two-way forward who leads the Tigers by example. The 19-yeard-old Edmonton native has 15 points (10G, 5A) in the Tigers’ last 10 games. He was drafted by the Medicine Hat in the first round of the 2014 Bantam Draft and has since suited up for 234 games scoring 69 goals and picking up 93 assists. Look for Captain Hamblin to make an impact on both ends of the ice in today’s game.

Quick Hits

• Thirteen different Tigers have a point or more against the Hitmen this season. Leading the way is Hayden Ostir with 4 points (2G, 2A) in 2 games.
• Affiliate goaltender Garin Bjorklund has joined the Tigers while Mads Søgaard is playing for Team Denmark at the World Juniors. Bjorklund has a 9-3-1 record, 0.917 SAV% and 2.33 GAA with the Calgary Buffaloes in the AMHL so far this season.
• Bjorklund has started two games for the Tigers and won both. His save percentage is 0.909% and his GAA is 2.50.
• Goaltender Mads Søgaard and forward Josh Williams have been selected to play in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospect game Jan 23rd in Red Deer. Both players are ranked as B prospects by NHL Central Scouting. Ryan Chyzowski is ranked as a C prospect.
• Goaltender Mads Søgaard is ranked 4th in the league for GAA with 2.39 and 2nd in the league for save percentage with 0.931.
• Tigers Alumni Kelly Hrudey has been selected to coach Team Orr in the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospect game.
• Daniel Baker leads all Tigers rookies in points with 13 (2G, 11A).
• Cole Clayton suited up for his 100th career WHL game Friday night against the ICE. Clayton has 4 goals and 13 assists in his WHL career.
• Medicine Hat’s Power Play is 23.2% effective and ranked 6th in the league. James Hamblin leads the team with 9 power play goals and Linus Nässén is the top set up man on the power play with 14 power play assists.
• Medicine Hat’s Penalty Kill is 80.3% effective and ranked 7th in the league. The Tigers have scored five shorthanded goals (Hamblin – 2, Jevne – 2, Preziuso -1).
• James Hamblin leads all Tigers in plus-minus with +16.