Tigers fighting for playoff spot
By RYAN MCCRACKEN on March 1, 2019.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com
With just two points separating the Medicine Hat Tigers from the wrong side of the wild card race, it’s safe to say the playoffs have already begun.
The Tigers (31-24-3-2) have just eight games left to correct their course and steer into the post-season for a third consecutive year. While it heaps the pressure on a bit earlier than expected, Tigers captain James Hamblin says there is an undeniable upside to adopting a playoff mentality before the league shifts to elimination play.
“It’s good to go into the playoffs already with that mindset,” said Hamblin. “Having every game be a playoff game right now is good preparation for us, as opposed to coming in knowing you’ve been in the playoffs for a long time. It’s really good preparation.”
The Tigers are currently riding a six-game losing streak after picking up seven of a possible eight points through a gruelling U.S. Division road trip. While it’s placed their playoff status in jeopardy, Hamblin says there’s no looking back now — only forward.
“We’re just getting back, right now, to the way we need to play and the mindset that we need,” said Hamblin. “It’s been a good week of rest for us, just to get ourselves mentally and physically back. We’re just getting ready for that game on Friday.”
Tigers veteran Ryan Jevne — who will be a game-time decision for tonight’s contest against the Edmonton Oil Kings due to an upper-body injury — says the team has been thankful for a six-day break between games, especially since it allowed them to meet up with mental skills coach Bob Wilkie on Thursday evening.
“It’s huge. He’s really good at helping guys kind of refocus and get reset on what they’re doing,” said Jevne. “Sometimes you can kind of get into your own head, even if guys are trying to help you, you’re not really listening. But when you have a guy with professional experience like that he can kind of break that up and get everyone on the same page.”
Jevne’s seen his share of losing streaks over his past four seasons with the Tigers and says keeping a positive outlook will be pivotal in righting the skid tonight at Rogers Place.
“Obviously you’re going to lose games and it’s tough when they come in bunches like this,” he said. “Right now we’re struggling scoring goals so if you get negative and try to start doing too much it just kind of implodes on itself. You’ve got to simplify the game and just go out there and have fun.”
The Tigers and Oil Kings drop the puck at 7 p.m.
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