Tigers with early success on U.S. trip

By JAMES TUBB on October 11, 2022.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb

The long bus ride through the U.S. hasn’t slowed down the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The Tigers picked up three of four possible points in the first two games of their U.S. road trip this weekend, beating the Everett Silvertips 6-3 on Friday before falling just short of a full comeback against the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday, losing 4-3 in overtime.

Tigers associate coach Joe Frazer said both games have provided lessons the Tigers have quickly embraced.

“It’s been a great start to the trip, we faced some adversity in both games, learned to play with a lead in Everett; their crowd was into it and it was a fun game to play,” Frazer said. “We were up three and they had a little push back, it was great to see the guys have to deal with that. Being down in Portland, we had to come back. So both games, kind of different situations, but learning how to defend the lead and learn how to come back.”

Friday’s win was a game of firsts for the Tigers, as it was their first game in the U.S. since the 2018-19 season and three Tigers scored their first Western Hockey League goals.

Cayden Lindstrom and Shane Smith both scored their memorable goals in the first period against Everett as the Tigers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Alex Drover picked up his first WHL tally early in the second as Medicine Hat weathered two second-frame Silvertips goals before Andrew Basha scored his third of the season late in the period.

The Tigers scored twice in the third, with Brendan Lee notching a power play goal in his return to Everett after donning the green jersey from 2019-21, and Brayden Boehm potting an empty netter.

Medicine Hat trailed early Saturday with Portland leading 2-0 after the first period. Tomas Mrsic got the Tigers on the board early in the second before the Tabbies brought out the dramatics. Trailing the Winterhawks 3-1 with less than three minutes left in the game, the Tigers scored two goals within almost a minute of each other, as Drover and Dallon Melin tied the game.

It was Portland who came away with the win, scoring 2:36 into overtime, but the Tigers still picked up a valuable point. Beckett Langkow started both games between the pipes.

Frazer said he’s liked seeing how the team controls their emotions through games, especially with the loud crowds in the U.S. He said the Tigers this season have already shown a complete level different of last season.

“We’re showing up to the rink and we truly believe we’re going win. So it’s definitely a different mindset than last year, guys really believe in each other and believe we can play with anybody,” Frazer said. “That’s why you see we’re down a couple of goals, we don’t think we’re out of it, we think we can come back.

“It’s been a great team bonding experience, getting out on the road and getting to hang out as a team full time. The team’s really coming together and we really like our group.”

The Tigers were able to share a Thanksgiving dinner Sunday, eating at the oldest restaurant in Portland, Huber’s Cafe, established in 1879.

The Tigers had difficult decisions heading into the road trip regarding the group and the number of 20-year-olds on the roster. Medicine Hat sent Finnish forward Oskari Kuntonen through import waivers, leaving Lee, Drover and Melin as the club’s three overage players. Frazer said it was a hard choice but is excited for the trio’s leadership.

“All four guys are just great human beings to start with, and great players,” Frazer said. “We’re excited about the ones we have, we’re going to lean on them a lot for leadership and to show the young guys the right way to play and what you have to do to win in this league.”

The Tigers’ road trip continues as they are in Seattle tonight to take on the defending Western Conference champion Thunderbirds before travelling to Tri-City on Wednesday to face the Americans. Both tonight’s and Wednesday’s contest gets underway at 8:05 p.m.

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