NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT Medicine Hat Tigers forward Emerson Etem tries to get the puck in the net during the second period of Sunday's game against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Etem scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in his 50th game played, to become the first WHL player to hit the 50-in-50 mark in 11 seasons.

DARREN STEINKE
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Just when it seemed it wasn't going to happen, goal number 50 finally came for Emerson Etem.
The standout right-winger netted his 50th goal of the season in his 50th game played to break a 2-2 tie at the 6:04 mark of the third period in a game against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Long Beach, Calif., product then netted an empty-net goal to seal a 4-2 victory for the Medicine Hat Tigers before an appreciative sellout crowd of 4,006 spectators at The Arena.
Heading into the third period, Etem had at least four huge chances to score his 50th goal, which included hitting a goalpost and a crossbar. After missing on the most artistic of chances, the 19-year-old fired home his 50th goal off a gritty opportunity in front of the Brandon net.
After getting the milestone goal, Etem received a standing ovation that lasted over a minute.
"It got me excited for playoffs to be honest," said Etem, whose Tigers improved to 35-18-2-2 with a fifth straight win. "I haven't heard the fans that loud since last playoffs.
"We have a tough schedule ahead and a lot to go before playoffs, but that is the first thing I thought about. The three years I have been here, it is one of the proudest moments."
After the Tigers registered the first four shots on goal in the game, the Wheat Kings appeared ready to play spoiler. They went ahead 1-0 on their first shot of the contest coming from a breakaway by right-winger Brenden Walker off a knuckleball shot.
The visitors increased their lead to 2-0, after scoring on their third shot of the contest. From close in, Wheat Kings right-winger Mark Stone slid a low shot home for his 36th goal of the season.
Before the first ended, the Tigers rallied back to tie things up at 2-2. Medicine Hat captain Cole Grbavac scored first sniping a shot past Wheat Kings goaltender Corbin Boes.
Just 1:58 after that tally, Tigers left-winger Rhyse Dieno netted his fourth of the season to put the hosts on even terms with the visitors.
Before the opening frame ended, Etem hit the post with a shot coming off a shorthanded rush. He was snakebitten on a number of chances in the second, before finally coming through in the third.
Etem became the first Medicine Hat Tigers player to score 50 goals in a season since current Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul netted 56 goals for the Tabbies in the 2001-02 campaign.
Besides that fact, Etem also become the first WHL player to score 50 goals in 50 or fewer appearances in a season since former Swift Current Broncos centre Layne Ulmer netted his 50th goal in his 47th game of the 2000-01 season.
Stone along with Wheat Kings defenceman Eric Roy were among the Brandon players that congratulated the Tigers forward after he netted his 50th goal.
"I think it is really impressive for him to be able to get 50 in 50," said Stone, whose team fell to 28-26-1-2. "Obviously, we didn't want it to happen against us.
"It is something that might never happen again. A congratulations is deserved. We needed to acknowledge that moment."
Tyler Bunz made 22 saves in goal for the Tigers. Boes turned away 26 of 29 shots in goal for the Wheat Kings (28-26-1-2).
Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston, who has seen a number of magical moments at The Arena, was happy to see Etem have his moment on Sunday.
"It was a special night," said Clouston. "There have been a few special nights in this building.
"That is definitely right up there. It couldn't happen to a better guy. He had a post in the first. He had a crossbar in the second.
"To see it finally go in was outstanding. It was awesome."