By Scott Roblin

Tigers blueliners step up to sweep weekend series against Broncos

Jan 19, 2019 | 9:44 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A number of unlikely names stepped up offensively for the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday night, sweeping their weekend series with a 5-3 victory over the Swift Current Broncos.

Medicine Hat lit the lamp three times in the opening period, while Jordan Hollett made 23 saves to give the Tigers their third consecutive victory.

Playing in just his sixth career game with the Tigers, second half call-up Nick McCarry picked up a loose puck in the slot and netted his first career WHL goal 2:37 into the first period to give Medicine Hat an early lead.

Four minutes later, veteran blueliner Dylan MacPherson led the rush on the left wing and was initially stopped by Broncos netminder Isaac Poulter, but hopped on his own rebound to make it a 2-0 score.

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

12h ago

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 was able to strike one more time before the end of the period, with Elijah Brown firing a cross-ice feed to Brett Kemp for the newcomer’s 25th goal of the season and third since joining the Tigers.

Things turned physical late in the second period, as Cole Clayton laid a hit in the Tigers zone that drew an interference call. 

Swift Current’s Matthew Stanley took exception and a spirited scrap began between the two, with Stanley getting booked for an additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The Broncos were able to net their first goal of the night with 4:21 left in the period, as an Owen Blocker shot off the wing just trickled past Hollett to make it a 3-1 game at the intermission.

Near the midway mark of the third period the Broncos pulled themselves within a single goal, as the Tigers left Ethan O’Rourke all alone in front of Hollett who cut the deficit to 3-2.

Just two minutes after O’Rourke scored for Swift Current, defenceman Connor Horning unloaded a bomb from the point on the power play to erase the Tigers lead and knot up the score at three goals a piece.

Overtime looked more and more likely as the period went along, but it was Medicine Hat’s Trevor Longo who sent the crowd into a frenzy with his fourth of the year with just 52 seconds remaining on the score clock.

Captain James Hamblin added an empty net for good measure, with the Tigers holding off the Broncos third period rally to sweep the home-and-home set.

A pair of lengthy goalless droughts were put to an end by Medicine Hat defenders, as MacPherson netted his first goal in 29 games, while Longo snapped a 19-game goalless streak.

Hollett earned his fourth consecutive victory between the pipes, meanwhile Poulter was peppered with 43 shots from the Tigers but was able to make 39 saves in the process.

Extending their win streak to a trio of games, the Tigers now hold a record of 26-16-2-2 and have climbed out of the wildcard picture and sit in third place in the Central Division.

Earning points in all four of their games this past week, Medicine Hat will enjoy a bit of a break over the next few days before returning to action on Friday night in Red Deer in a divisional test versus the Rebels.