Feature Game of the Night: Medicine Hat Tigers @ Brandon Wheat Kings 7 PM CST
In one of two WHL games on this December Tuesday night, the Tigers (13-13-1-2) will head to the field to battle the Wheat Kings (13-7-3-3) in the second meeting of the season between these two eastern clubs. These teams match up well not only on paper but also on the ice, both clubs have relatively deep rosters with some inconsistent goaltending.
The Medicine Hat Tigers come into this contest following a win against Regina on Sunday, and have pretty much alternated winning and losing. This is game two on a short three game road swing through the east, following this contest they will visit Moose Jaw tomorrow night. The Tigers goaltending tandem of Jordan Hollett and Mads Sogaard has proved to be a decent one, as the two have split the games so far and both have had good outings nearing the midway point of the season. Mads Sogaard currently sits fifth in WHL goaltender rankings with a .924 SV% and a 2.500 GAA.
James Hamblin also continues to roll with seven points (4G, 3A) in his last four games.
The Brandon Wheat Kings have now strung three wins together, and are looking for their fourth consecutive tonight. They’ve already beat the Tigers once this season and boast a good home record of 7-4-1-2 at Westoba Place. The Wheat Kings sit first place in the Eastern wild card standings, just two points back of Moose Jaw for the third spot in the Eastern Division. Interestingly enough, the Tigers have not fared well in Brandon in the past, as the Wheaties are 5-1-1-0 in the last five season when Med Hat visits during the regular season.
Fanshaw’s Fast Facts:
- 2003-born Affilliate Player Cole Sillinger (MH) picked up his first WHL point when he scored to beat the Pats 3-2 on Sunday. Sillinger was drafted 11th overall in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. He has one point in two games thus far.
- Linden McCorrister (BDN) scored three times vs. SC last game for his first career WHL hat trick.
- Bryan Lockner (MH) has points in four of his last five games, four goals and three assists over that span.
Leading Scorers:
James Hamblin- MH- (13G- 19A) Has points in four consecutive games.
Stellio Mattheos- BDN- (22G- 19A) Has only played three games without having a point this season.
Who’s in net?
Mads Sogaard- MH- (2.500 GAA, .924 SV%) Ranked fifth in WHL goaltending ranks
Jiri Patera- BDN- (2.929 GAA, .915 SV%) Stopped 31 of 33 shots last time out vs. SC
Other Games:
Prince Albert Raiders (26-1-0-0) @ Swift Current Broncos (4-21-1-1)
- Ian Scott, and Brett Leason play their first games since being named to Canada’s World Junior squad.
- With a win tonight, PA’s win streak will move to an even 20 games.
