Fans helping Tigers feel bigger, faster, stronger

By JAMES TUBB on May 9, 2025.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The impact players leave on games and series can be easily tracked in statistics, heat charts and video work. But the influence fans can have in a single moment or across a multi-month playoff run can only be felt emotionally.

The Medicine Hat Tigers have shown up in the playoffs, carrying a 12-1 record and a 10-game win streak into the WHL Championship series against the Spokane Chiefs. They’ve been led by the scoring of Gavin McKenna and his 53-game point streak, captain Oasiz Wiesblatt rising to the occasion to lead the team from the front, as well as solid goaltending from overager Harrison Meneghin.

But it’s been the support from home, the Tigers faithful who have been loud and proud all playoffs that has helped propel the orange and black to four wins away from the sixth Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history.

“Them showing up and sending us off, it’s just that extra little mile,” forward Ethan Neutens said. “It shows how much they’re here for us, how much they support us and how much they want to see us win.”

Tigers fans have shown up in droves throughout the playoffs, with Medicine Hat leading the way in postseason attendance with a total of 40,047 walking through the Co-op Place doors through seven home games. They would have a higher attendance number, had it not been for two series sweeps en route to a spot in the finals.

They’ve averaged 5,721 fans across those seven games, the second most trailing just the Prince George Cougars who hosted one more home game before being eliminated in the first round.

Fans sent the players off ahead of the Eastern Conference Championship series, lining the way out of the Co-op Place parking lot for the Medicine Hat Police and Medicine Hat Fire Service to lead the way out of the town with lights and sirens. It was an atmosphere and showing of appreciation forward Hunter St. Martin says he’ll never forget.

“Everyone showing up and cheering you on, the firefighters, the police officers, everyone, that is something I’ve never experienced before,” St. Martin said. “You have so much pride in that jersey now, the whole city is behind you, it’s unbelievable and we couldn’t thank them more for that. It helps us so much and that just makes me play with more pride.”

Fans didn’t wait long to buy tickets for Games 1 and 2 at Co-op Place tonight and Sunday, with both sold out of what was available Monday at noon and just select tickets remaining after the season ticket hold was lifted Wednesday evening. A total of 600 overflow tickets split across both nights sold out just as quick. It’s a showcase of pride and support that brings players to moments of smiles and reflection.

“They’ve been the best, I’ve never seen the crowd in the city be like this and it’s so incredible to kind of be part of it,” Wiesblatt said. “They’ve been unbelievable showing up to away games. Game 4 in Lethbridge, they were probably the louder ones. Their commitment to just be electric all night and just be there, it’s been pretty unreal.”

For players, it’s been a revelation to see the city band behind them, organize watch parties across the city, with the Monarch Theatre showing away games, tailgaters in the parking lot before games to the Saamis Tepee adorned in orange, the whole city is behind the team. For the bench boss, it brings back memories of previous finals runs and atmospheres.

“The fans have been awesome for us, I’ve always said Medicine Hat is a great spot, we have great fans,” Desjardins said. “For me, I’m lucky to be part of our organization and be part of this city because it’s a pretty special city. So I know our guys like it and they’re more vocal, too, it’s just a really good atmosphere.”

It’s more than the 4,006 that famously rocked The Arena during the runs in 2004 and 2007, there’s no smoke hanging in the rafters or fog rearing its vapoury head in games gone long. But comparing the fans, the atmosphere and excitement around this year’s team to those championship seasons, Desjardins says it reminds him a lot of 2004.

He hopes they’ll be able to celebrate the same way they did 21 years ago.

“The 2004 group is probably similar because that was a new group, we hadn’t had it for a while, in 2007 we’d already had it so it was a little bit more expected,” Desjardins said. “This is like 2004, maybe not quite as expected throughout the year. So they’re similar, the crowds and fans are excited, the city’s excited, and whenever you get that, it’s just great.”

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