NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Beckett Langkow stares up at the jumbo-tron during the pre-game introductions ahead of the Tigers 5-1 win over the Regina Pats at Co-op Place on Feb. 5.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Tigers’ goaltenders have continued to give the team a chance to win every night.
The duo of 19-year-old Beckett Langkow and 18-year-old Evan May have maintained a level of play between the pipes that provides a sense of confidence each night out.
Langkow has come away with the win in his past three starts and has backstopped the Tigers to picking up points in his past eight. The net minder from Vegreville says the success gives him a boost, but he doesn’t focus on that for too long.
“It’s huge for my confidence going in the room, and all the guys are happy after a game with fist bumps or whatever. That’s the best feeling, when you can contribute to wins,” Langkow said. “I try not get too high even or too low after losses. I try to stay pretty level headed. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that and that’s why I’ve been able to play well for a good stretch here.
“I have a rule with myself, that on a game night I can be happy or mad about the game and then the next day, it’s a new day. It goes the same for losses and wins.”
In 41 games this season Langkow has a record of 19-15-6-1 with an .886 save percentage and a 3.19 goals against average.
He is second in the league in games played (41) and minutes played at 2,366, 184 behind Braden Holt of the Victoria Royals. Holt is also first in games played with 44. Langkow’s win total of 19 is tied for eighth in the league.
As the Tigers are fighting for the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference, Langkow looks to add to his win column. Langkow, who lacks no confidence, is enjoying playing in a playoff atmosphere and with added pressure.
“It’s been fun this last stretch, we’ve been winning here and that’s the kind of hockey we want to play so we just have to keep it going,” Langkow said. “I just have to keep (our approach) the same, keep doing the things that have helped me have success here lately. Just have to keep consistent.”
He’s also enjoying the push he’s getting daily in practice and through play from May.
“We’ve been doing that all year, we push each other especially in practice and it’s good,” Langkow said. “He’s had some success lately in games so that’s good for him and good for the team.”
The Nanaimo product has won three of his last four starts in the orange and black.
“You try to be there for your teammates, they try to be there for you and I’m just super happy I can get some points when we need them,” May said.
May’s enjoyed the friendly competition and sees keeping practice intensity up as one part of his focus heading through the remaining 17 regular season games.
“I just want to push the pace in practice a bit and make those big saves in practice, give the players a hard time scoring on me,” May said. “That’s one thing I can control is my work ethic, and I think that will go a long ways for games.”
He’s also enjoyed the playoff presence within the room and the pressure on the ice, saying it leads to him being even more dialled into games.
“Guys really want to be here and they all want to get better,” May said. “That really pushes everyone around us and it’s such a great time.”
Associate coach Joe Frazer commends both goalies’ play, not only as of late but throughout the season, for keeping them in every game.
“Both guys have given us a chance to win every night, both guys are playing great,” Frazer said. “On Friday, we didn’t give Evan the run support and he made some huge saves for us. They scored on a breakaway and a two-on-one. He gave us chance to win that game. When we’re giving them run support, we’re in every game.”
