By Medicine Hat News on October 28, 2020.
Medicine Hat News South East Athletic Club’s U15 AAA Tigers made sure former teammate Josh Van Mulligen’s big day ended with a victory on Saturday afternoon at Hockey Hounds Rec Centre. Van Mulligen – a second round Medicine Hat Tigers draft pick now with South Alberta Hockey Academy – was presented with his award as the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League’s top defenceman for 2019-20 prior to Saturday’s puck drop, and the Tigers rode the good vibes to a 6-3 result over the rival Lethbridge Val Matteoti Golden Hawks. Sam Hynes and Grady Martin led SEAC’s offence with two goals and an assist each, while Chance Loke and Torin Thickson both added individual tallies to secure the win. The Tigers took a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes on two goals from Hynes and another out of Martin, who then extended the lead to 4-1 entering the third. Rhett Serfas, Alex Westlund and Connor Chapman scored in the futile effort for Lethbridge, while Kade Duell added a pair of helpers. SEAC’s Beck Boiteau collected the victory in net with a 25-save performance, while Lethbridge’s Preston Walker took the loss on 23 stops. The Tigers (2-0-1) return to the ice on Nov. 8 in Airdrie to open a three-game set against the Xtreme (1-1-1). U16s fall to Hurricanes in exhibition play SEAC’s U16 AAA squad fell just short of a wild comeback in exhibition action on Saturday in Lethbridge. Trailing the Headwater Hurricanes by a 3-0 margin midway through the third period, Jacob Hazzard helped guide his Tigers back into the contest by setting up teammate Joseph Hackett then potting one of his own. But Lethbridge’s Health Hansen pushed the game back out of reach in the dying minutes of regulation to secure the win for the Hurricanes. Ashton Angle, Brett Hudey and Ben Adserballe scored in succession to build up Lethbridge’s 3-0 lead. SEAC’s Tyler Wakelam stopped 11 of the 13 shots he faced to open the game, then Silas Currie entered and allowed a pair of goals on 19 chances. Lethbridge’s Thomas MacLean stopped all 16 shots he faced through the first 30 minutes, then Ryan DeKok entered and allowed two goals on 19. The Tigers and Hurricanes meet again to open the Alberta Elite Hockey League season on Saturday afternoon at Hockey Hounds Rec Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. The Highway 3 rivals continue a three-game set Sunday at Hockey Hounds with a 2:45 p.m. puck drop before closing things out Nov. 7 in Lethbridge. 18