Tigers look to build chemistry through week after losing weekend

By JAMES TUBB on October 2, 2024.

With all of the players expected to return immediately from NHL camps to Medicine Hat, the Tigers look to gel coming off a losing weekend.

The Tigers had the first practice, post training camp, with all of the expected players returned from NHL camps. Forward Hunter St. Martin and defenceman Veeti Vaisanen were the last two returnees, getting reassigned from the Florida Panthers and Utah Hockey Club respectively.

They’ll await the return of forward Cayden Lindstrom from the Columbus Blue Jackets once he is deemed healthy by the NHL club.

Associate coach Joe Frazer says it’s been a positive to have bodies back in the locker room. Coming off a pair of losses to the Red Deer Rebels, he says they have a lot of work to do in preparation for the weekend ahead.

“We get a week of practice together where we can start really becoming a family and making sure we’re executing at a high level,” Frazer said. “It’s great we get a week off here, we should be in a bad mood all week. Last weekend wasn’t what we wanted, so it’s going to be a good week of practice and make sure we’re ready to go Friday.”

Beyond building off a losing weekend, Frazer hopes the Tigers take inspiration and motivation from forward Andrew Basha signing an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames on Sunday. He says the Calgary product’s story, not debuting until halfway through his age-16 season and continuing to grow is one players can learn from.

“It’s a great story of continuing to get better, having that growth mindset of, ‘how I can improve every day,’ and he’s just a great example of that,” Frazer said. “It’s always exciting when you can have a guy sign an NHL deal, it makes other guys believe in the room that they’re right there too and it gives them a little extra motivation.”

The Tigers head back to Red Deer on Friday before hosting the defending WHL champions Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday at Co-op Place.

When asked about facing the WHL champions, St. Martin says they aren’t focused on who they’re playing but on how they are playing.

“We just have to bring our best, they come to us and play our game,” St. Martin said. “Play fast, physical, crack down on the defence and we can take over. We can run teams out of our building but we have to be detailed and dialled in.

“No matter who we’re playing against, we have to come in with the same mindset every game and just bring our best every night.”

Frazer provided injury updates for the Tigers. Defenceman Josh Van Mulligen is day-to-day with an upper body injury, with more evaluating to be completed. He suffered the injury in a first period fight during Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Red Deer. Goaltender Zach Zahara, who has yet to appear in a game this season, is also day-to-day with an upper body injury.

Forward Mat Ward, who had to be helped off the ice in the dying seconds of Saturday’s game, suffered from cramps in the moment and is healthy.

The Tigers remain in the CHL’s top-10 rankings, coming in at second after sitting atop the preseason rankings.

The OHL’s Brampton Steelheads sit at No. 1. There are two other WHL teams ranked, the Prince George Cougars (No. 5) and the Brandon Wheat Kings (No. 10).

Editors note: Lede edited for clarity.

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