Tigers look to continue weekend success post deadline
By JAMES TUBB on January 10, 2024.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb The Medicine Hat Tigers took some time to relish their explosive weekend and are focused on the next task at hand. Coming off a week of winning three in four and outscoring opponents 22-5 in their last two games, the Tigers shift their focus to a weekend slate against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Associate coach Joe Frazer says there were a lot of positive takeaways from the weekend and says he took pride in how they maintained pace in the three-in-three slate. “Obviously we want to be the fast team in the league and we want to be the best in shape team in the league, but a lot of teams talk about that, so it’s making sure we’re putting the work in to do it,” Frazer said. “When we have a three-in-three and to be down 3-0 (in one), it says a lot about not only your conditioning but I think our character that we weren’t just going to give up and give the game away. We fought back and those are two huge points you can’t take away from us. So that’s a gutsy character one in a three-in-three.” The Tigers trailed the Spokane Chiefs 3-0 through the first 19 minutes of their game Sunday, before they rattled off 10 goals in the remaining 41 minutes for a 10-4 win. That victory came off the 12-1 drubbing Saturday over the Tri-City Americans and a 5-3 loss Friday at Red Deer to the Rebels. Medicine Hat beat those same Rebels 3-2 in overtime three days prior. The four-games-in-six-day stretch is a schedule they have following the home-and-home against Lethbridge this weekend. Frazer hopes the Tigers take the good habits they had last week and remember them for that next busy stretch as points further gain importance in the standings. “You come to this league because you want to be a pro and this league teaches you how to take care of yourself off the ice if you want to be great on the ice,” Frazer said. “So I hope we learned a little bit about that … especially after the first game, you have to make sure you rehydrate and getting good sleep. Then when it is three in three, a lot of its mental. You have a lot left in the tank and sometimes it’s, ‘Oh, it’s three in three and I’m tired,’ but we have a lot left in the tank. I hope we recognize that on Sunday our best two periods were the second and third when we’re supposed to be the most tired, and we weren’t tired. So a lot of is mental. “Heading into this week, we have our rivals in Lethbridge and I know the guys are excited for that. The home-and-homes are always a good battle and we have to make sure we’re ready.” Before the weekend can get underway, the WHL trade deadline hits today at 3 p.m. It’s a time of the season that can create an uneasiness with players as they await news of either new arrivals to their team or teammates and friends being moved out. It’s a time of year captain Tyler MacKenzie says he turns the blinders on and just focuses on what he can control. “You look at other teams making big moves and everyone on this team has buddies around the league so everyone kind of knows, and you might have an ear in somewhere else sooner than later,” MacKenzie said. “But it’s honestly just a lot of gossip. So I know as a team we don’t really care too much about it. Personally and as a team, we are focused on ourselves, but there’s definitely a buzz about it. “I don’t think we’re scared, we’ll rise to any challenge if anyone wants to make trades around us.” The Hurricanes made additions Monday after acquiring Sean Tschigerl from the Calgary Hitmen. They also traded for 20-year-old forward Dylan Sydor from the Kamloops Blazers and 19-year-old Colton Langkow from the Vancouver Giants. They sent forward Blake Swetlikoff, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick to the Blazers and traded forward Tyson Zimmer to the Giants while also acquiring unsigned prospect Kai Anderson, a 2024 second-round draft pick and a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. 15-14
