Newest Tigers make early impact in win over Saskatoon

It didn’t take long for Medicine Hat’s newest Tigers to make an impact Wednesday at the SaskTel Centre.

Former Seattle Thunderbird Elijah Brown picked up his first point in orange in black two minutes into his debut with an assist on Gary Haden’s opener, then newly acquired right winger Bryan Lockner netted his first goal as a Tabby four minutes later to give Medicine Hat a lead they wouldn’t give up in a 3-2 win over the Saskatoon Blades.

“It was great to see that for them. You feel excited for them because it’s challenging,” said Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston. “Elijah drove up from Edmonton and met us at the game and Bryan drove up from Regina and met us, so their first time on the ice as a Tiger was warm-ups.”

While Blades winger Bryalon Schmyr cut into the lead late in the first period, Tigers goaltender Jordan Hollett shook off the marker and turned aside 12 shots in a scoreless second period to keep his team in front after 40 minutes.

David Quenneville gave Medicine Hat some breathing room midway through the third period after hemming the Blades into their own zone at the end of a power play. The 19year-old defenceman ripped a shot past Blades goalie Nolan Maier for his 18th goal of the season 38 seconds after Jake Kustra left the box — pushing his point streak to five games with three goals and four assists.

Chase Wouters cut the lead down to one with 14.2 seconds left in regulation, but the Blades were unable to force overtime in the dying moments.

The night also featured former Tiger Max Gerlach’s debut with the Blades. The 19-year-old Texan was traded to Saskatoon Wednesday morning in exchange for Lockner, a firstround bantam draft pick in 2020 and a second-round pick in 2021. Gerlach logged his first point as a member of the Blades with an assist on Wouters’ late goal.

Hollett finished the victory with 18 saves to push Medicine Hat to 23-16-3-0 on the season. Maier stopped 42 in the loss, dropping Saskatoon to 21-19-21 on the season.