Tigers gear up for division rival weekend

By JAMES TUBB on January 6, 2023.

The Medicine Hat Tigers have an important weekend ahead as they continue on a path toward a playoff race.

The Tigers are in Edmonton tonight before hosting the Swift Current Broncos at Co-op Place on Saturday.

Associate coach Joe Frazer says the focus has to start in Edmonton and what the Oil Kings will bring before adjusting to the Broncos matchup.

“We have to get up there, get of the bus warmed up and make sure we’re ready to go and start the game on time,” Frazer said. “That’s a huge game and then it’s going to be a tough trip, getting home late. We have to make sure we do a really good job Saturday morning, getting prepared to play a playoff style game, they’re gonna come hard.

“They have quick forwards with a lot of skill up front, the last time in there it was a battle and we expect the same on Saturday.”

The Tigers lost to Swift Current in overtime 4-3 on Dec. 31. Frazer says the club touched on a lot of things during a week of practice and they are excited to face both division teams.

“We got to touch on a lot of things team wise and individual skill wise,” Frazer said. “Obviously a huge weekend going up to Edmonton and then having Swift at home, I know the guys are guys are excited and looking forward to it.”

Saturday’s contest also brings the excitement of the Tigers edition of the Nickelodeon Night for Children’s Miracle Network. The Western Hockey League has partnered with Re/Max to host fundraising games with proceeds supporting local children’s hospitals in Western Canada. The Tigers will be donning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles jerseys, which will be auctioned off starting at puck drop at http://www.32auctions.com.

Frazer says there is a buzz in the room about the game and fans in attendance will get to see Tigers’ top prospect Gavin McKenna in the game.

“It’s always great to give back and it’s for a great cause, so it’s going to be an exciting night,” Frazer said. “With the jerseys getting actioned off, it’s for a great cause, and hopefully we can raise a lot of money for them.

“It’s exciting to get McKenna back in the lineup, he had an outstanding Circle K Classic tournament. He had a great practice today with us and we’re so excited to get him back in the lineup and have him help us.”

Tigers announce makup game

The Medicine Hat Tigers and Swift Current Broncos have agreed to a new date for the Dec. 28 game that was to be played at Co-op Place before being postponed due to poor weather.

The game has been rescheduled for for Jan. 22 at Co-op Place with a 4 p.m. puck drop.

All tickets purchased for the original Dec. 28 game will be honoured for the game, and tickets will not need to be exchanged.