GAME NOTES: Tigers in Calgary for home-and-home series

This weekend these two Central Division rivals will have a home and home series starting tonight in Calgary. Tonight’s meeting will be their fourth of this season and the Tabbies are 1-2-0-0 against the Hitmen this season. The Tigers’ lone victory came in November at the back of a home and a home series between these clubs where Medicine Hat won 5-4. Medicine Hat is 15-5-1-0 against Calgary over the past five years.

View from Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen just finished off their Calgary Corral series on February 8th posting a 1-1-1-0 record in their old barn. Since then, the Hitmen have defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 6-2 on Sunday before falling 6-2 to the Hurricanes in Lethbridge Wednesday. The Hitmen are led by veteran forwards Mark Kastelic with 62 points (38G, 24A) and James Malm with 57 points (23G, 34A).

Tigers Talent

Ryan Jevne has 13 points (5G, 8A) in the Tigers’ last 6 games. The 20-year-old Edmonton product is a speedy forward who sees both sides of the puck well. He also has a lethal shot that makes opposing goaltenders cringe. Jevne has been having a banner year for the Tigers setting new career highs in goals (26) and points (29). Look for Jevne’s hard work ethic and hustle to make an impact at both ends of the ice tonight.

Captain’s Corner

Captain James Hamblin continues to lead his team with 66 points (31G, 35A) in 55 games and he is currently ranked 11th in the WHL scoring overall. The 19-year-old Edmonton native has taken on a new role this season after primarily being the setup man last year and setting a career high of 43 assists. This season Hamblin has been relied on to use his scoring touch and he is currently tied in 2nd in the league for most First Goals with 9. Off the ice, Hamblin also leads his team by example, being actively involved in the community while studying at Athabasca University. Hamblin was named the Tigers’ Academic Achiever for the month of January.

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 2.19 GAA and 0.935 save percentage.

-Søgaard was named Eli Wilson Goaltending WHL Goaltender of the week for the week ending Feb 10, 2019, after sporting a 3-0-0-0 record, 1.30 GAA and stopped 96 of 100 shots for a .960 save percentage. He was also named Vaugh CHL Goaltender of the Week. This is the second time this season Søgaard has won both honours.

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

-Twelve different Tigers have a point or more against the Hitmen this season. Leading the way is James Hamblin with 5 points – all assists.

-The Tigers Power Play is ranked 5th in the league and 23.5% effective. James Hamblin is the Tabbies’ top goal scorer on the PP with 12 goals while Ryan Jevne is the top setup man with 19 assists.

-Against the Hitmen, the Tigers’ Power Play has been 41.7% effective (5/12) and the Penalty Kill has been 71.4% effective (2/7).

-Overall the Tigers Penalty Kill is ranked 9th in the league and 79.6% effective and the Tabbies are the least penalized team in the league averaging 7.3 penalties in minutes per game.

-Rookie forward Corson Hopwo scored his first WHL goal when the Tigers hosted the Hitmen in November. Hopwo blocked a shot then flew down the ice with the puck and managed to poke it into the net on netminder Jack McNaughton.

by Erin Schwab - Medicine Hat Tigers

GAME NOTES: Tigers in Calgary for home-and-home series

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