Tigers continue early success, win 4-2 Friday
By James Tubb on September 29, 2023.
The Medicine Hat Tigers added another win to the standings in this young WHL season. Medicine Hat continues their early success in the 2023-24 season with a 4-2 win Friday night at Red Deer over the Rebels. The Tigers entered the contest with a 2-0 record after sweeping their season opening series against the Calgary Hitmen. It marked the first time since 2014 the Tigers had started a full, 68-game regular season with a 2-0 record. Evan May stood tall between the pipes for Medicine Hat against the Rebels, turning aside 37 shots for his third win of the season. Red Deer opened the scoring Friday, with a goal from Hunter Mayo 3:21 into the contest. Dwayne Jean Jr. and Matthew Gard picked up the assists on Mayo’s first of the season after returning to the Rebels from the Los Angeles Kings training camp. The Tigers rattled off three straight goals to tie the game and grab their lead. Shane Smith scored his third goal in three games, scoring 3:45 after Mayo to tie the game. Brayden Boehm and Gavin McKenna recorded the helpers on the goal. McKenna finished his evening with three assists. Tomas Mrsic found the back of the net in the first period, getting the final touch on a puck around the Red Deer crease. McKenna and captain Tyler MacKenzie were credited with the assists on Mrsic’s first of the year as Medicine Hat led 2-1 after the first period. Red Deer led the frame in shots, outshooting the visitors 16-13. The Tigers continued the offence in the second with a loose puck goal from Cayden Lindstrom, his second marker of the season. Oasiz Wiesblatt, who was making his season debut in the contest, and Josh Van Mulligen picked up the assists on the only offence of the second frame. Medicine Hat led Red Deer 14-13 in shots in the period. The Rebels mounted an early comeback attempt, scoring 6:46 into the final frame with a power play goal from Mats Lindgren. Red Deer’s newly named captain Kai Uchacz and Kalan Lind picked up the assists on the goal. Medicine Hat picked up some insurance with a late third period power play goal. Lindstrom was the final touch on a puck that put the Tigers ahead 4-2 and gave him his second goal of the night. McKenna and Wiesblatt had the assists on Lindstrom’s goal, which marked the second career game he’s had two goals in a game against Red Deer. Medicine Hat held on for the 4-2 victory, with Red Deer leading the contests in shots 39-33. The Tigers were 1-for-3 on the power play, with Red Deer going 1-for-5 with the man advantage. Across the ice from May, Red Deer net minder Kyle Kelsey made 29 saves in his second start of the season. The Tigers (3-0) look to continue their winning ways when the host the Saskatoon Blades at Co-op Place on Saturday. 13-12
