Lee and Barlage find chemistry through friendship

By JAMES TUBB on March 18, 2022.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

Medicine Hat Tigers Brendan Lee and Logan Barlage’s friendship started off with a hitch.

Before being acquired by the Tigers at the Jan. 17 WHL trade deadline, Barlage dropped the mitts with Tabby d-man Pasha Bocharov, who is another good friend of Lee’s.

Lee said he wasn’t expecting the two to become friends as quick as they did because of that fight, but being in the same billet house made it a little easier to break the ice.

“I wasn’t expecting it but it happened really fast,” Lee said.

The duo was on a line with winger Brayden Boehm in Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout win over the Regina Pats where Lee scored two goals and Barlage had the game-winner in the shootout. That game marked Lee’s return to the lineup after being on the shelf for eight weeks.

Barlage said it was nice to assist on Lee’s first goal and see him pot the tying tally with 4.9 seconds left after witnessing first hand his rehab.

“I got to see what he had to go through and just battling his way back into the lineup and going through tough injuries,” Barlage said. “But to see him come back and perform like he did is good to see, and our power play is cooking pretty good which is good to see. He’s a good scorer so he’s going to score goals when you give him the puck like that.”

Barlage, a former Lethbridge Hurricane, said he became closer with Lee because of how hard he was willing to work at the rink.

“I think he’s a guy that likes to work hard and he spends lots of time with me shooting pucks after practice and staying at the rink a little longer,” Barlage said. “I think naturally we build a little bit more chemistry living at home together and hanging out at night, that kind of stuff just added to that chemistry and bringing it onto the ice is huge for the team.”

Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer said it’s been great to see two guys from two different organizations find friendship on this team and he’s happy it’s led to chemistry.

“They’ve really bonded and hit it off, that’s what junior hockey is all about,” Frazer said. “Developing those friendships that are going to last a lifetime. It’s great to see that chemistry from the billet house carry onto the ice too.”

The duo have also taken playful jabs at one another over their facial hair, as Barlage has a full moustache and Lee’s upper lip lacks the same amount of coverage. When asked if he chirped Lee into shaving it, Barlage joked that Lee just didn’t want to be like him.

“I think he tries to be like me a little bit more often, so I think he just had to shave it so he wouldn’t be exactly like me,” Barlage said with a grin.

When asked for his response to Barlage’s claim, Lee said his ‘stache was just getting “dirty” and itchy and he had to take it off.

The cleanly shaven Lee and the Tigers head to Swift Current tonight in the first game of their home-and-home with the Broncos. They’re back at Co-op Place Saturday for the rematch at 7 p.m.

Frazer said this weekend is a big opportunity for a lot of Tigers as the Broncos have five players on the NHL’s central scouting list and it’s a chance for guys to leave an impression.

“Willie (Desjardins) always says, it’s not who they come to watch but who they leave remembering,” Frazer said. “It’s a great opportunity for all our guys.”

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