Tigers expect competitive season openers against Hitmen
By JAMES TUBB on September 22, 2023.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb The Medicine Hat Tigers get to renew their rivalry against the Calgary Hitmen to kickoff the 2023-24 season. The Tigers are at the Saddledome in Calgary tonight to open the season before hosting the Hitmen on Saturday at Co-op Place for their home opener. The season-opening series against Calgary is only the third time since the 2008-09 season the Tigers haven’t faced the Lethbridge Hurricanes to begin a regular season. Heading into the weekend, associate coach Joe Frazer says it is a good matchup for the Tigers to test themselves and get the season underway. “They have a great team, they have great depth on the back end, when you look at their D-corps, it’s as strong as anybody in our division,” Frazer said. “You have (Tyson) Galloway, (Grayden) Siepmann – both went to NHL camps, (Carter) Yakemchuk who’s supposed to be a first rounder. They have two really young, really good young players in (Wyatt) Pisarczyk and (Reese) Hamilton who can really skate. You look at their back and it’s deep and it’s highly skilled, so it’s going to be imperative our forechecks are dialled in and we’re getting on them. “Their forwards are good, they have (Sean) Tshigerl and (Oliver) Tulk who went to NHL camps. They have a lot of veteran guys who have speed and skill, so it’s an exciting matchup to start the season. Especially to get the opener in the Saddledome, it’ll be a good weekend for that.” The Tigers’ homeopener Saturday gets underway with puck drop set for 7 p.m. Player introductions will happen prior to puck drop so fans are advised to arrive early at Co-op Place. 10-9
