Tigers set to clash with Central Division-leading Oil Kings

By Medicine Hat News on February 15, 2020.

The Medicine Hat Tigers will be looking to gain some ground in the Central Division when they hit the ice to face the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday night at Rogers Place.

The Oil Kings entered Friday’s games as the only team in the Eastern Conference to secure a place in the post-season at 35-8-6-3 with a four-game winning streak to boot.

While the Tigers have gone 2-2-1 over their past five games, they’re coming off a big 7-0 victory over the Regina Pats and recently got a boost with the return of centre Elijah Brown.

Edmonton leads the six-game season series – which is set to conclude on March 7 in Medicine Hat – by a 3-1-0-0 margin.

Tigers captain James Hamblin will also be looking to gain some individual ground in the Western Hockey League’s scoring race. The 20-year-old Edmonton product boasts 81 points in 53 games this season – good enough for second in the league – but trails Spokane Chiefs forward Adam Beckman by seven for first.

The Oil Kings have been led by Riley Sawchuk’s 65 points this season, putting the overage centre at eighth in the league’s scoring race.

The Tigers return to the Canalta Centre Monday to host the Winnipeg Ice in a rare Family Day matinee game at 2 p.m.