The City of Medicine has announced a free-with-registration watch party at Co-op Place on Sunday for the Memorial Cup now that the Tigers have punched their ticket to the big game.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Medicine Hat Tigers fans will be able to gather one last time this season as their team looks to capture junior hockey’s ultimate prize.
The City of Medicine Hat announced Wednesday it will host a Memorial Cup finals watch party Sunday, which follows the Tigers clinching their spot in the final game with a 3-1 win Tuesday over the London Knights. It’s the first time the Tigers have been in the Memorial Cup final since 2007 and they’re looking to capture the franchise’s third title, first since 1988.
The game gets underway at 5 p.m. MST, with doors opening at Co-op Place at 3:30 p.m.
“With the excitement the Tigers have provided our community here at Co-op Place this season, it’s only fitting to have fans in the stands one last time cheering on our team now that it’s a Sunday Funday,” Trampas Brown, manager of guest experience and operations with the City of Medicine Hat said in a release. “This Tigers’ postseason push has brought an indescribable energy and sense of camaraderie to the community. We can’t wait to enjoy this Memorial Cup championship game experience with all of you, Tigers fans.”
The event will be free, but attendees will be required to book their free ticket to secure a seat. Those are available at Tixx.ca.
The watch party will offer concession options for fans, with a limited menu compared to standard playoff games. The family-friendly event will also have kids activities on the concourse featuring a photo booth and yard games located behind Sections L and M, and face painting and jersey design will be located behind Section H.
There will also be chalk drawing on the concrete floor now that the ice has been removed.
Attendees are encouraged to carpool in the event parking availability becomes limited. Fans are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item donation for the Root Cellar.
Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins was asked ahead of Tuesday’s game about what it has meant to win a championship for Medicine Hat and to see the support they’ve had throughout the playoffs. He says winning was the least they could do for their fans.
“You find out who the fans are when you have really bad seasons and we had a bad season, I expected every day for the fans to show up the rink with paper bags over their head and boo us, and they never did once,” Desjardins said. And not once in public either, not one person ever said anything to me in public and that’s why I’m pretty loyal to Medicine Hat, because they’re they’ve been great to us. That’s one thing in hockey. It’s a great game, and I think it’s given me a lot. So I think I should try to give back.”
