Chyzowski-Preziuso-Jevne line making sizeable impact to start the season
By Ryan McCracken on November 2, 2017.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken The Medicine Hat Tigers (8-6-0-0) have done plenty of line juggling to start the Western Hockey League, but one constant has been last season’s energy line of Ryan Chyzowski, Tyler Preziuso and Ryan Jevne. While they’ve been bounced around a bit in the early going, Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston says he doesn’t plan on breaking up the bunch entering this weekend’s set against the Saskatoon Blades and Seattle Thunderbirds — especially considering their surge in production to start the year. “For right now we’ll leave the Chyzowski line together, they’ve done a real good job,” said Clouston. “They’re all hard working guys. They’re guys who don’t just cruise around.” The trio has combined for 32 points through the first 14 games of the season. Chyzowski — a first-round bantam pick from 2015 — has already surpassed last season’s goal total with six in the early going, and with two more assists he will match last season’s playmaking production as well. While Jevne and Preziuso are entering their third year with the team, they’re also well on pace for career years in all categories. Jevne’s four goals and seven assists have him sitting tied for fourth in team scoring with Chyzowski — and just five goals and 12 assists shy of last year’s totals. Preziuso, who sits just behind with four goals and six assists on the year, is already almost halfway to his production from last season while more than doubling his points per game average in the first six weeks of the season. “They work very hard during practices, they work hard off the ice during workouts and obviously they went home and got a lot stronger and quicker and faster and all those good things this summer,” said Clouston. “I think they were very optimistic and looking forward to increased opportunity, and that preparation and opportunity have kind of met this year. When preparation and opportunity collide I think you have the great chance for success, and they’re succeeding right now.” Clouston added he plans on starting newly acquired winger Hayden Ostir on the team’s top line with Mark Rassell and James Hamblin. While Max Gerlach started Friday and Saturday’s losses to the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos after returning from a facial injury, Clouston says he liked what he saw from Ostir in their previous victories against the Spokane Chiefs and Red Deer Rebels. “We’ll probably look to start that way on Friday night, with Ostir up with Hamblin and Rassel, and Gerlach with probably Gary (Haden) and somebody else there. Gary has had a pretty darn good start to the season.” Jordan Hollett is slated to start Friday’s game against the Blades (6-7-1-0) at the Canalta Centre. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. 13
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