Photo Courtesy Keith Hershmiller Photography/Regina Pats
Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Carter Casey squares up to make a save on Regina forward Keets Fawcett in the first period of a 4-2 Game 4 win Wednesday over the Pats. With the win, the Tigers hold a 3-1 lead in the first-round series, Game 5 is Saturday at Co-op Place.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Tigers are in the driver’s seat of their first-round series.
The Tigers hold a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with the Regina Pats after a pair of wins in the Queen City. After a split of the series-opening weekend, the Tigers won 8-2 Tuesday and 4-2 Wednesday to return to Co-op Place on Saturday needing one win to advance to the second round.
They’ve played good, head coach Willie Desjardins says, they’ll have to be better to close out the series now.
“You have to give Regina a lot of credit, they’re playing hard, I like what they’re doing, and there’s no quit in it,” Desjardins saids. “(Wednesday) they came back and played hard in the third so we know the hardest one is to get as the fourth win and we know it’s going to be hard.”
The Pats bookmarked the scoring in Game 4, potting the first goal and finding another late in the second period to bring themselves within a pair. Medicine Hat swept the season series 4-0, outscoring Regina 26-7. In the playoffs, Regina has already surpassed their regular season offensive tallies, with the Tigers outscoring Regina 20-10.
“This is the best hockey they’ve played against us this year,” Desjardins said. “They’re showing a lot of grit. They’re playing hard, you have to give them a lot of credit.”
The Tigers had four different goal scorers Wednesday, with Kade Stengrim, Gavin Kor, Liam Ruck and Noah Davidson all finding the back of the net. The balanced offence has been a benefit, Desjardins says. He was also happy to see Kor, who was scratched for almost half the season, get on the board.
“The Gordon-Carroll line’s been pretty good, Stengrim got a big goal again, he had big one the first night, too. Those are two real big goals for us,” Desjardins said. “You have to give those guys credit. With Kor, he’s had to sit out a lot. So it’s great for him to come in and be successful, he’s got really good skill.”
Carter Casey started in between the pipes for the Tigers on Wednesday, making his first appearance of the playoffs, finishing with 28 saves for the win. Jordan Switzer started the first three games of the series, picking up wins in Game 1 and 3.
Desjardins says they planned for Casey to start Game 4, wanting to utilize their two goaltenders.
“I don’t think there’s anything to it, we have two goaltenders. Casey played really good down the stretch and I planned on going with him the second night before we left Medicine Hat,” Desjardins said. “It wasn’t depending on Game 3, I’d already decided to play Game 4. We have two good goalies, might as well use them.”
He didn’t tip his hand to who will start in net for Game 5. Having two days off between Games 4 and 5 is a benefit, and they’ll take rest whenever they can get it, Desjardins says. As they look to close out the series, something the core of the Tigers did four times last year, Desjardins says experience can only benefit the team if they play their best.
“If you’ve done it before, maybe you’re not as hungry, whereas guys who haven’t got it before, they’re hungrier, so it’s a balance,” Desjardins said. “Maybe experience helps you a little bit, but in the end it’s going to be who’s hungry and who wants to win.”
If needed, Game 6 would return to Regina on Sunday and a decisive Game 7 would be Tuesday back at Co-op Place.
A series win over Regina will move Desjardins into third all-time in WHL coaching playoff wins with 88, surpassing Ernie McLean with the Estevan/New Westminster Bruins.
Woo suspended
one game
The Tigers will be without defenceman Jonas Woo for Game 5 on Saturday.
The 19-year-old Winnipeg product was suspended one game for “inappropriate comments to an opponent” from Game 4 Wednesday in Regina.
Woo sits tied for fifth in WHL Playoff scoring with three goals and seven points in four games.
