Tigers leapfrog Hurricanes with win over Broncos
By Medicine Hat News on February 1, 2020.
The Medicine Hat Tigers snuck past the Lethbridge Hurricanes for second in the Western Hockey League’s Central Division with a 4-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos on Friday night at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex. The win pushes Medicine Hat to 32-14-1-1 on the season, while the Hurricanes (29-12-2-5) dropped a 4-1 contest to the Prince Albert Raiders Friday, allowing Medicine Hat to edge them in the standings by a single point. The Tigers now trail the Edmonton Oil Kings (33-8-6-3) by nine points, with two games in hand, for the top of the Central Division. Swift Current stole away an early lead when Eric Houk tucked a rebound behind Hat netminder Garin Bjorklund in the dying minutes of the first period. Bjorklund settled back into his crease and held the Tigers within striking distance with a slew of big saves through the second, then Bryan Lockner scored late off the rush to draw even and set up a winner-take-all third. Medicine Hat seized control of the momentum in the third and Ryan Chyzowski put his Tigers into the driver’s seat halfway through the frame by jumping in on the rush and banking a pass off Broncos captain Jaxan Kaluski and through the equipment of goaltender Isaac Poulter. Tabby captain James Hamblin added some crucial insurance with a screened shot a few minutes later, then defenceman Parker Gavlas put the game away by finishing off a give-and-go with Brett Kemp. Bjorklund held on to secure the 23-save victory and improve his record in the blue paint to 17-3-0-0 this season. Poulter stopped 35 in the loss, dropping Swift Current to 10-33-1-3. The Tigers return to the Canalta Centre Saturday to host the Brandon Wheat Kings at 7:30 p.m. 10-9
