NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Yaroslav Bryzgalov works to take a shot on Calgary net minder Eric Tu during a second period breakaway in a 4-3 win Tuesday at Co-op Place over the Hitmen.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Tigers are taking the battle for the Eastern conference on the road this weekend.
The Tigers have a pair of games in Saskatchewan starting tonight in Saskatoon against the Blades before they face the Eastern conference and East division-leading Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre.
“It’s exciting, both teams are really good – especially at home – so we have to use these two days wise to get rested and just make sure we’re going play Tigers hockey,” associate coach Joe Frazer.
Prince Albert beat Moose Jaw 3-2 in a shootout Thursday to grab a one-point lead on the Tigers for the Eastern conference, a spot Medicine Hat has held since Dec. 31.
The Tigers have beat the Blades in the first two meetings, the last a 9-3 drubbing in Saskatoon on Nov. 28. They also host the Blades on Jan. 27 for the final matchup between the clubs.
The Blades are 6-2-1-1 in their last 10 games, winners of two in their last three, coming off a 3-1 win Wednesday over the Victoria Royals.
“They’re going to be a tough team, they pulled that one out late Wednesday, so they’re going to be ready for us,” Ruck said. “They have a fast team, a good group, they work hard and have good structure. So we have to play our game and I think we’ll be good.”
Saturday’s meeting with the Raiders will be a rematch a week in the making after Prince Albert beat the Tigers 8-5 on Jan. 17, snapping a team-record win streak at 19 games. Medicine Hat won the first two meetings, 3-2 in Prince Albert on Nov. 29 and 7-1 at Co-op Place on Dec. 3.
“They took it to us in our own barn, that’s a tough feeling and we don’t like that at all,” forward Markus Ruck said. “Their barn is really tough to play in so we’re going to have to be ready for that game. They have a really good team, they’re ranked second in the CHL rankings, so they’re going to be ready to go and we’re going to have to match it.”
The elder Ruck, who leads the CHL in assists with 51 on the year, says they have to have a better start against the Raiders. Prince Albert scored first in their win last week and led 4-2 after 40 minutes.
“Just starting on time, we’re going to find success early,” Ruck said. “They started on fire here, so we’re going to have to bring that while we’re there.”
Markus Ruck is one of four Tigers, alongside younger twin brother Liam, forward Yaroslav Bryzgalov and goaltender Carter Casey, named to the Team East at the WHL Prospects Game on Feb. 18 in Langley, B.C.
“It’s really special getting able to represent the East,” Markus said. “It’s going to be a great game, I’m super excited to meet some new faces playing against some high-end players on the other side.”
Bryzgalov says it’s an opportunity for them and he hasn’t had any issues with the draft pressures this season.
“It means a lot for me, it’s a big chance to show my game before the draft and there will be a lot of scouts there to watch, and also have fun with top prospects from the Dub,” Bryzgalov said.
“When I play hockey, I’m just playing for the win. I’m not thinking about the draft and scouts at the game and just lock in, focusing on the game.”
