GAME NOTES: Tigers tangle with Thunderbirds looking for fourth straight win

For the first time this season, the Tigers and the Thunderbirds will face off. Last season these two hockey clubs met once and Medicine Hat came out on top in a 4-3 overtime win on Nov. 4th, 2017. Tigers veteran forward Hayden Ostir had a three-point night (1G, 2A) and earned the first star of the night. Over the past five years, the Tigers are 1-2-0-0 against the Thunderbirds.

View from Seattle

After splitting back to back games in Victoria against the Royals, the Seattle Thunderbirds returned home Friday night to host the Portland Winterhawks. The Thunderbirds fell 4-1 to the Winterhawks and veteran forward Matthew Wedman was the lone goal scorer for Seattle. Seattle is 20-26-5-1 and they are led by veteran forwards Wedman with 53 points (26G, 27A) and Noah Philip with 53 points (19G, 34A).

Tigers’ Talent

Brett Kemp is a skilled offensive player with good hands and explosive first step. The 18-year-old Yorkton, SK native joined the Tigers at the trade deadline and he has scored four goals and picked up three assist in 11 games with the orange and black. Kemp has a high hockey IQ and he is patient with the puck. Look for him to make an impact in Saturday’s tilt.

Captain’s Corner

Captain James Hamblin is the Tigers’ top point producer this season with 62 points (29G, 33A). The 19-year-old Edmonton native was selected by the Tigers in the first round of the 2014 Bantam Draft. In his career as a Tiger, Hamblin has 75 goals and 102 assists in 246 games played. He is a speedy, intelligent, two-way player who works hard every game to help set the tone for the team. “The keys to this road trip are to have a lot of energy, continue to play as quick as possible, manage the puck and play as a team,” said Hamblin of this week’s four games in five days’ road trip.

Quick Hits

Mads Søgaard has been ranked 3rd among North American goalies in the NHL Central Scouting midterm ranking.

Søgaard is also ranked 4th in the WHL among goalies with 2.24 GAA and 0.933 save percentage. He picked up his third career shutout Friday night against the Silvertips.

Brett Kemp has been ranked 156th among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting midterm ranking.

The Medicine Hat Tigers’ power play is ranked 5th in the league and it is 23.6% effective. James Hamblin has the most power-play goals for the Tigers (10) and Ryan Jevne is the top set up man on the power play with 17 assists.

Daniel Baker is the Tigers’ top point producing rookie with 14 points (2G, 12A).

The Medicine Hat Tigers’ penalty kill is ranked 8th in the league and 79.7% effective.

The Tigers’ road record is 14-11-0-1 this season and they are 3-0-0-0 against US Division teams.

Linus Nassen is the Tigers’ top point producing defenceman with 5 goals and 33 assists. Nassen is ranked 13th in the league amongst defencemen.

James Hamblin scored his 75th career goal Friday night against the Silvertips and Ryan Jevne picked up his 75th career assist on the play.

Brett Kemp has 4 points (1G, 3A) in the Tigers’ last 4 games.

Ryan Jevne has 7 points (3G, 4A) in the Tigers’ last 3 games

James Hamblin has 5 points (3G, 2A) in the Tigers’ last 3 games.

by Erin Schwab - Medicine Hat Tigers

GAME NOTES: Tigers tangle with Thunderbirds looking for fourth straight win

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