Cozens Scores Twice as Tigers Top Reigning Champs 5-2

Photo: https://youtu.be/n8nCZHZkzUc?t=225

By Justin HublerMedicine Hat Tigers Reporter

November 7, 20262 min read

The Medicine Hat Tigers beat the reigning WHL champions 5-2 in Everett on Friday night, a meeting between the 2025 and 2026 champs to stretch their win streak to four games.

Arvid Drott opened the scoring 2 minutes in, taking a pass from Jake Burmis in the slot for his third of the season. Markus Ruck made it 2-0 a little bit after with the team’s third shorthanded goal of the year with brother Liam picking up the assist. Luke Cozens scored on the power play late in the first for his 10th, making him the first Tiger to reach double digits in goals this season. Jazsin Vaughan answered for Everett on the power play late in the period and it was 3-1 Tigers at the first break.

The second period was scoreless but chippy with Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll and Luke Ruptash both getting involved in the scrums as the animosity between the two clubs grew. Cozens scored his second of the night early into the third, a wrist shot from the right circle after a zone entry and Dario Blengino cut it to 4-2 for Everett a minute thirty later. Josh Evaschesen restored the three goal lead with his eighth of the season on a passing play that went through Yaroslav Bryzgalov and Cozens.

Cash Christie, who was pulled after three goals in Wenatchee last Wednesday, bounced back with a full 60 minutes in net, stopping 29 of 31 shots. The Tigers went 1 for 4 on the power play and killed five of six penalties.

It was also a big night at the rink. The announced crowd of 7,017 is the largest the Tigers have played in front of this season. It was Dick’s Drive-In Mystery Giveaway night in Everett.

Cozens was named first star with two goals and an assist, Markus Ruck took second star with a goal and an assist and Bryzgalov rounded out the stars with two assists. Ruck now has 22 points and an eight game point streak, which ranks him eighth in the WHL while Cozens has 11 goals and 17 points on the year.

The win moves the Tigers to 10-5-1 with 21 points through 16 games, which puts them second in the Central Division. They trail Red Deer, who have 27 points and are level on points with Calgary who have played two more games.

Next up, the Tigers close out the six-game U.S. road trip in Seattle on Saturday before returning home to host Calgary on Friday, November 13.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Justin Hubler

Medicine Hat Tigers Reporter

Cozens Scores Twice as Tigers Top Reigning Champs 5-2

Justin Hubler

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