NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Brayden Boehm carries the puck up ice in a 3-2 shootout win against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Feb. 11 at Co-op Place.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
It’s been a long journey for Brayden Boehm to get back in the Medicine Hat Tigers lineup.
The 19-year-old missed 11 games with an upper-body injury suffered in a freak accident in practice. He made his return to the orange and black on Friday in Edmonton against the Oil Kings.
He spoke with the News ahead of the return, expressing how much it means to him to get back on the ice.
“It’s tough staying up in the stands when your team is in a playoff run,” Boehm said. “But I’m looking forward to getting back and helping the boys get in that playoff spot and get into the postseason.”
He’s sat in the press box for some big games for the Tigers, watching them beat the Kamloops Blazers, Winnipeg Ice and shutting out the Regina Pats. While he obviously wanted to be in the lineup, he says he enjoyed the different view of the game and took notes on what the Tigers can do in their remaining six contests.
“From there you see the game differently, you notice little things so I definitely took note of things I saw,” Boehm said. “I’ve really enjoyed watching the guys, it’s great when the guys can have success obviously passionate a great night.
“It’s just the little things that I noticed about the game with regards to what we can do on the forecheck or what other teams do and what we do,” Boehm said. “It’s kind of realizing you have to look at the game differently sometimes and just noticing little gaps where you can find a chance to score or make a pass.”
The Nanaimo product had 18 goals and 35 points in 52 games heading into action on Friday. Tigers assistant coach Josh Maser says they will enjoy the boost in the lineup Boehm brings.
“He’s got top level speed in the league, so we can add that back, and we’ve missed him on the (penalty) kills so to have him back is like adding another player (at the deadline) at this time of year,” Maser said. “We’re looking for a bump and a push from him coming back, and he has to work hard and do what he can do.”
Friday’s match-up opens up a three-game set for the Tigers as they host Calgary on Saturday before hitting the road to face them again Sunday.
Tigers carry over $53,355 50/50 jackpot
The Tigers will kick-off their Saturday contest at Co-op Place with a large 50/50 jackpot. After their 50/50 contest wen unclaimed in the 7-0 win over Regina on Mar. 11, the organization carried the total into Saturday’s game against the Calgary Hitmen.
Anyone who purchased tickets on Mar. 11 will have to purchase new tickets for Saturday’s jackpot.
