Clouston focuses on long-term amid early-season struggles

By Ryan McCracken on October 5, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

Medicine Hat Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston is stressing a simple mantra as the team looks to snap a five-game losing skid — trust the process.

The Tabbies haven’t found the win column since their season-opener in Lethbridge, but Clouston says the issues can be largely addressed by simplifying their approach to each game.

“In general it’s the process,” said Clouston, whose Tigers will look to right the ship tonight in Spokane against the Chiefs at 8:05 p.m. “We haven’t quite got to where we want to be with that consistently enough early on in the season. It’s really about trusting the process and not thinking too far ahead —not thinking about the fans, not thinking about the score.”

Clouston added the Tigers didn’t take good enough care of the puck in Wednesday’s disappointing 5-1 setback to the Prince Albert Raiders. Whether in their own end or transitioning through the neutral zone, Clouston says his Tigers appeared to be overthinking things.

“It’s just making sure we’re committed to working as a five-man group — get back and get pucks out of the zone,” he said. “That’s the start. The next part is making sure we do a good job through the neutral zone. Just committing to the process.”

Another part of Medicine Hat’s recent struggles has been found on the power play. The Tigers enter Friday’s tilt with the league’s 15th best power play at just 17.2 per cent and have only converted five goals in 29 chances over their six games to start the season.

The unit lost a handful of key contributors in the off-season, including 50-goal scorer Mark Rassell and power play specialist David Quenneville — but Tabby defenceman Linus Nassen says none of that is an excuse for their lacklustre performance in recent days.

“Obviously we miss 19 and 27, they’re 30 and 50 goals each last year, but we’ve got to find ways,” said Nassen, whose power play unit was held in check at 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s loss to Prince Albert. “I know we have skill in here. We have guys who can take their spots in our unit. I know (Ryan) Chyzowski’s got a good shot, Dylan (MacPherson) has got a good shot.”

While Nassen has 45 Western Hockey League contests under his belt, this weekend will be the Swede’s first swing through the U.S. Division, a road trip known for raucous arenas and hard-hitting hockey.

“I’m really excited and the boys are excited,” he said. “We just have to step it up one more level. We can’t play like we did (Wednesday). We know it’s hard to go to the US, the boys who have been here for a while, that’s what they’re saying. So we just have to go out there and play our game. We’re excited to get back on track.”

The Tigers hit the road to Kennewick to face the Americans Saturday at 8:05 p.m. before stopping in Cranbrook on their way home for a Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the Kootenay Ice at 4 p.m.

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