Cozens Nets Three Points as Tigers Shake Off Slide

Photo: https://youtu.be/wIMh1iFEeVc?t=44

By Justin HublerMedicine Hat Tigers Reporter

October 21, 20262 min read

The Medicine Hat Tigers answered back-to-back 6-1 losses in the loudest way possible Saturday night, beating the East division-leading Brandon Wheat Kings 8-1 and ending Brandon’s five-game winning streak.

Owen Hayes got things started with his first career WHL goal midway through the first period, finishing a tic-tac-toe play with Kadon McCann and Jake Burmis. Luke Cozens doubled the lead on the power play late in the first, snapping a five-game power play drought. Kris Muissu got one back for Brandon late in the period but the Tigers still led 2-1 at the first break.

The second period is where the game got away from the Wheat Kings. The Tigers put up 14 shots and carried a 6-1 lead into the second intermission, then added two more in the third. Cozens scored twice in the win. Carter Casey was a big reason it stayed lopsided, stopping 32 of 33 shots. That included a cross-crease save on a two-on-one in the second and he held firm when Brandon outshot Medicine Hat 14-12 in the third.

Cozens was named first star after finishing with 2 goals and an assist which pushes him to seven goals on the season. Casey took second star honours for his 32-save night and Markus Ruck rounded out the stars with a goal and an assist, moving him to nine points and keeping him at the top of the team scoring race. Burmis and Hayes both picked up their first career WHL goals, and McCann helped set up two of the eight with a pair of assists. Brayden Holberton dropped the gloves with Josh McGregor just 3 minutes into the game and the bench seemed to feed off it, putting 19 shots on goal in the first period. Mace’o Phillips, who also set up Cozens’ third goal, fought Ryan Boyce midway through the third for the second fight of the game.

The win moves the Tigers to 5-3-1 on the season. That’s 11 points which puts them second in the Central Division and eighth league wide. Brandon, now 8-3 after a Sunday overtime win over Prince Albert, still holds the top spot in the Eastern Conference so the Tigers are chasing them rather than passing them for now.

Next up is back to back games with the Calgary Hitmen this weekend, on the road Friday and back at home Saturday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Justin Hubler

Medicine Hat Tigers Reporter

Cozens Nets Three Points as Tigers Shake Off Slide

Justin Hubler

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