MacPherson out, Nassen also hurt, Wheaties’ Thompson suspended

By Ryan McCracken on March 26, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Dylan MacPherson will be on the shelf for at least a few weeks and fellow blueliner Linus Nassen is listed as day-to-day after both were knocked out of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarter-final series against Brandon on a series of checks from 6-foot-5, 252-pound Wheat Kings winger Baron Thompson.

MacPherson left Friday’s game after taking a knee-on-knee from Thompson in the corner at the midway point of the first period, then Nassen left with an upper body injury following another check from Thompson shortly afterward. The Western Hockey League suspended Thompson under supplemental discipline, though the length of the suspension has yet to be determined.

“Dylan is out for a bit. He’ll probably need an MRI so we’ll find out how serious it is, but it’s not good,” said Clouston. “With Linus it’s probably a little bit more day-to-day, but with Dylan we’re thinking it’s week-to-week in a positive scenario or month-to-month in a negative scenario.”

The situation has left the Tigers without two key pieces, but it also opens the door for rookies Trevor Longo and Joel Craven to draw into the lineup.

While Nassen and MacPherson have provided the Tigers with a strong two-way presence this season — combining for 48 points on the back end — Craven and Longo bring their own positives to the table as well. Craven logged a plus-10 rating with a goal and six assists in his 33 games on the back end, while Longo strung together four assists and a plus-four rating in 22 games.

“I bring some energy and I’m always ready to go, and whenever I get the call I’m definitely happy,” Longo said at Sunday’s morning skate. “It’s pretty exciting. Obviously it’s pretty disappointing to see a guy go down but I’m definitely excited and ready to go.”

Longo and Craven went on to finish Game 2 with minus-one ratings, but Clouston says he was pleased with their efforts after being cycled in and out of the lineup all season.

“They did real well,” said Clouston. “I thought Longo and Craven played very well considering they haven’t seen a lot of action.”

Nassen will again be a game-time decision when the series shifts to Dauphin Tuesday.