TIGERS GRIND OUT 5-4 SHOOTOUT VICTORY

Medicine Hat, AB — The luxury for the Medicine Hat Tigers this season is having 4 solid lines step out on the ice at anytime. On Saturday night the Tigers would prove it against the visiting Swift Current Broncos. In past year the Tigers would rely heavily on the top 2 lines, normally leaving it all on the ice and ended up falling just short or pulling through with whatever was left in the tank. This season and Saturday showed the depth as the line of Mark Rassell, James Hamblin and Max Gerlach continued to prove their worth as they dominated parts of the game with their tenacity and grit. The top line with Steven Owre and Chad Butcher were electric and creating tons of the chances and Mason Shaw’s line was also buzzing. Not to be left out was the kid line centered by Ryan Chyzowski who bring a bunch of speed and agility to the game to round out the forward core and the scoring attack.

In the opening period there was not much to report about as the two teams showed how even they were. The Broncos led by new head coach Manny Viverios played a solid defensive system which didn’t allow the speedy Tigers much room to operate. Blocking shots was another key contribution to the opening period as the ‘shoot from anywhere’ Tigers were stymied and only put up 8 shots on starter Travis Child. On the other end of the ice Nick Schneider was solid but not busy in the frame only having to see 5 shots on goal. Cole Johnson however would get the visitors on the board first with his 3rd of the season and gave the Broncos momentum heading into the break up 1-0.

The second period was a breakout period for the Tabbies as just 2:39 in James Hamblin was in the right spot at the right time as banged home his 5th of the season after David Quenneville hit the crossbar. Just 7 seconds later Max Gerlach was setup by Hamblin for his 13th of the season to quickly turn the tides and get the crowd into it with a 2-1 lead. Moments later Kaden Elder would pot his 2nd of the season and we were right back to where we started, all square at 2 just 5 minutes into the second period. Medicine Hat’s number one power play only got two chances and both were in the opening frame which meant the Tabbies would have to win this game 5 on 5, something that they know very well this season. The Tigers top line would put the Tigers ahead as Steven Owre was found on the far wall by Chad Butcher and he buried his 4th of the year to give Medicine Hat a 3-2 lead into the intermission.

Hamblin would get the third period started with his 6th of the year and second of the game when a pinching Ty Schultz sent a slap pass into the slot. Hamblin got a stick on it to re-direct the puck past Child and give the Tigers a crucial 2 goal lead early in the period. But, just a minute later Max Lajoie was found all alone on the left side, Mason Shaw slid out to try and block the shot but couldn’t as Lajoie snapped home his 3rd of the year to cut into the lead. It was a grind for the Tigers heading down the final stretch as they challenged the Broncos to skate with them, a race the Tigers will always win. Medicine Hat poured 15 shots on Child but couldn’t extend their lead which would prove to be critical when Swift Current tied the game. Finnish import Aleksi Heponiemi took advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone and sprung himself on a clear cut breakaway which he made a nice move to tie the game at 4’s. The remaining minutes of the game were heart wrenching but Tigers fans were in for some extra hockey as the game went to overtime.

In the overtime fans were also clinging onto the edge of their seats as the 3 on 3 spectacle was a sight to watch with end to end action and 2 spectacular saves from Schneider on clear cut breakaways to keep the Tigers in the running for the two points. In the end both teams couldn’t find the back of the net and we would head to a shootout, the first for the Tigers this season.

In the skills competition the Broncos elected to send 2 defenseman to shoot on Schneider and Heponiemi being the lone forward. Only the Fin would score on a nice move for Swift Current. For the Tigers Max Gerlach and Matt Bradley were both successful on their shootout attempts with Bradley having the game winner, sending the 4015 in attendance home happy and extending the Tigers win streak to 5 games.

TIGERS STAT LINES:

• James Hamblin – 2G, 1A
• Steven Owre – 1G
• Ty Schultz – 1A
• Max Gerlach – 1G, 1A
• David Quenneville – 1A
• Chad Butcher – 1A

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

1. James Hamblin – MH – 2G, 1A
2. Max Gerlach – MH – 1G, 1A
3. Travis Child – SC – 44 saves, SOL

Medicine Hat is off until Tuesday when they open a 4 game road trip through Saskatchewan and the East Division with their first stop in Moose Jaw followed by Brandon on Wednesday night, both are 6pm Medicine Hat time puck drops.