NEWS FILE PHOTO
Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Mads Søgaard, defenceman Eric Van Impe and Edmonton Oil Kings winger Quinn Benjafield track and incoming shot in Game 3 of the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference quarter-final series on Tuesday,
March 26, 2019 at the Canalta Centre.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
The Medicine Hat Tigers will look to climb the Central Division standings when they board the bus this weekend.
After being handed their first regulation setback since Sept. 29 in Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Calgary Hitmen, the Tigers continue a nine-game road trip Friday in Edmonton against the Oil Kings and Saturday at the Enmax Centre against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. With only two points separating the three teams in the standings, Tabby winger Tyler Preziuso says there’s plenty riding on the divisional swing.
“Every game is huge,” said Preziuso, whose Tigers are tied with the Hurricanes and sit two points back of the division-leading Oil Kings with an 8-3-1-0 record. “We need all the points we can get, especially when it comes down to that final stretch.”
The Tigers have been licking their wounds since Sunday, making for a tough week of practice – and one spent in various arenas with preparation for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge already underway at the Canalta Centre. Hat assistant coach Ryan Smith says the week has been a test of adversity, but one the players have responded well to.
“The last couple of days have been real,” said Smith. “It’s a situation where you have to live with that loss for a few days and that’s not nice. It’s easier when you have a midweek game, because you have to start to focus on that right away. We’ve focused a little bit on the loss for the last couple of days, now we’re turning the page and looking towards Edmonton… The response has been good. There’s been a good pace in practice.”
Tigers defenceman Trevor Longo agreed the pace has been fierce in practice this week, as they know they’re entering perhaps their toughest stretch of the season.
“It’s going to be huge,” said Longo, adding the Oil Kings and Hurricanes are always tough opponents. “Both teams are doing really well. We know from last year as well that they’re really good teams, so we’ve got to be ready. But this week in practice we’ve been really focused, so we are ready.”
Smith added he expects his Tabbies to be fired up when they return to the ice at Rogers Place for the first time since facing the Oil Kings in last year’s Eastern Conference quarter-final – a best-of-seven series that ended Medicine Hat’s season in overtime of Game 6 at the Canalta Centre.
“The last time we played them we were shaking hands. That’s not a good feeling,” said Smith. “I think there are enough guys who were part of that, so there’s a little redemption.”
After this weekend’s pair of rivalry matchups, the team heads west for a five-game sprint through the B.C. Division. While it’s sure to provide a steep challenge, it will also offer a chance for players like Longo and Preziuso to see friends and family – and maybe even a new puppy.
“I think we’re all getting excited. We all get to go home and we’re in Victoria for a couple of days there so I’ll get to see some family and friends, and my new dog,” said Preziuso, adding he doesn’t even know what breed of dog it is yet. “It’s a rescue and we’ve got a vet appointment on Wednesday to see what kind it is.”
The Tigers hit the ice Friday in Edmonton for a 7 p.m. puck drop.
