When bears fly
Hamblin nets Teddy Bear Toss goal in loss to Hurricanes
Medicine Hat Tigers centre Ryan Chyzowski follows Teddy Bear Toss goal-scorer James Hamblin back to the bench as stuffed animals cascade over the boards during the first period of Saturday’s Western Hockey League game at the Canalta Centre.
James Hamblin made the teddy bears fly on Saturday night at the Canalta Centre, but the Lethbridge Hurricanes still managed to rain on his parade.
The Medicine Hat Tigers captain cut down the left wing and ripped a slapshot past Hurricanes goaltender Reece Klassen to send thousands of stuffed animals cascading over the arena glass with five minutes left in the first period. While the ’Canes came back to steal a 3-1 victory, every teddy bear to hit the ice will a find a home thanks to Hamblin’s opening marker.
“It’s exciting, but it would be a lot more exciting if we came out with two points. Later on in the future it will be cool looking back on it but it kind of hurts right now,” said Hamblin, adding it was probably the biggest haul of bears he’s seen in four years as a Tiger. “I thought it was an unbelievable turnout. To see all those bears raining down is always super special, and to see that much support just makes it that much nicer.”
Tigers goaltender Mads Søgaard picked up his first career assist on the coveted Teddy Bear Toss marker after finding Hamblin with a long stretch pass on the power play.
The 6-foot-7 Dane also stopped seven shots in the first period to preserve Medicine Hat’s narrow lead after 20 minutes, but Lethbridge pushed back in the second.
“It was pretty cool, my dad was in the building for it. We always make jokes about me getting points but to actually get one was fun,” said Søgaard. “It’s not something I really think too much about but it was nice to make a pass to Jimmy and see him make all the teddy bears fly … I was kind of surprised by how many teddy bears came out on the ice.”
Hurricanes captain Jordy Bellerive knotted the game up just before the halfway point of the middle frame when he marched into the Tigers end and beat Søgaard over the blocker, then newly acquired centre Jake Leschyshyn stole away the lead three minutes later with a shot through traffic on the power play.
“You lose your legs after that big pause in the game, so I think for us to come back with a big jolt of energy after (the Teddy Bear Toss goal) was crucial,” said Hurricanes defenceman Calen Addison, who had two assists in the game, adding Leschyshyn played a big hand in the victory. “Getting guys like him and Nick (Henry) coming in, they’re such skilled, hard working players.”
Riding a new wave of momentum, the Hurricanes hemmed the Tigers into their own end and tacked onto their lead when Dylan MacPherson was nabbed for tripping in the final minute of the second.
Dylan Cozens converted on the chance by creeping in from the circle and picking the top corner for his 13th of the year — and fourth against Medicine Hat.
Søgaard kept the Hurricanes at bay with six saves in the third for a total of 23, but the Tigers were unable to erase the late deficit and slipped to 12-13-1-2 on the season as a result.
“They’ve got a really good team, we can’t really give them anything,” said Hamblin. “We’ve got to learn from tonight and make sure we’re ready to go against them next time.”
Ryan Chyzowski appeared to cut the lead in half with just over three minutes left in regulation when he got his stick on a loose puck in the crease — sending it over Hurricanes goaltender Reece Klassen and into his pants. While Klassen fell backward into his net, the tally was waved off and the call was upheld by video review.
“The games are always greasy and right down to the end,” said Addison. “It always makes for a fun one against the Tigers.”
Klassen stopped 31 to lock up the victory and push Lethbridge to 13-8-3-2.
Hamblin and the Tigers will visit Medicine Hat Regional Hospital to hand out teddy bears on Dec. 10.