NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Tanner Molendyk dekes around Prince Albert Raiders forward Oli Chenier in the first period of a 7-4 win Wednesday night at Co-op Place.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
A pair of division opponents will put the new-look Tigers to the test this weekend.
The Tigers enter the weekend off a 7-4 win Wednesday at Co-op Place over the Prince Albert Raiders, hosting the Red Deer Rebels tonight before heading to Edmonton on Saturday to face the Oil Kings.
Medicine Hat scored four goals in the first 13 minutes of the game and led 6-1 at the 13:08 mark of the second period. They also allowed Prince Albert some life to end both periods, with the Raiders scoring with 30 seconds left in the first and twice in the last 1:45 of the second.
Associate coach Joe Frazer liked how they started the game, grabbing the early lead and forcing the Raiders to use an opening-frame timeout. He says they also need to play better with that advantage.
“Once we got the 6-1 lead, we got away from it, we let them climb back in,” Frazer said. “But I really liked how in the third we got it back. We got back to the work ethic, our final period was pretty good.”
Six different goal scorers found the back of the net, and Bryce Pickford extended his lead as the WHL defencemen top goal scorer with his 17th. Kadon McCann’s pair of first-period markers led the way. Gavin McKenna had a goal and an assist in his first game back from representing Canada at the World Juniors, extending his point streak to 15 games.
All four of Oasiz Wiesblatt, Liam Ruck, Mat Ward and new Tiger Misha Volotovskii had two assists on the night. Defenceman Tanner Molendyk, the other former Blade acquired from Saskatoon on Monday, had an assist as well.
The 19-year-old Nashville Predators prospect says he felt rusty in the game, also in his first contest since returning from the World Juniors with McKenna. He says how they won Wednesday gives them a lesson of how they need to do so moving forward.
“It’s definitely an eye opener, we know what we can do,” Molendyk said. “Every guy in there can put the puck in the net, so it’s just dialling in and being ready for every minute of the game. Every time you step on the ice it’s not going to be easy, any team can play. But we know that and we’re ready.”
Molendyk sported an ‘A’ on his jersey and will serve as an assistant captain during home games. Frazer liked their first look at both Molendyk and Volotovskii.
“They both played great, I really liked Volotovskii with McCann and Neutens, I thought they were in the O-zone lots, working,” Frazer said. “Molendyk was great. You watch his skating, he was exactly what we need back there.
“His skating is pretty special to watch. He made some great plays in the O-zone, opened up space for guys. Both guys were great.”
With the win, the Tigers (23-15-2) are in a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern conference, sharing the top spot with the Blades and Calgary Hitmen. They also head into the weekend with head coach Willie Desjardins sitting at 499 career wins.
Jordan Switzer made 20 saves Wednesday, recording his 15th win of the season. He was backed up by Harrison Meneghin who made his first appearance in uniform since suffering a lower-body injury in the first period of a 4-3 overtime win at Prince Albert on Nov. 20.
The 20-year-old net minder says he’s suffered the same kind of injury before, with this time being worse than before. He says he’s learned each time how to manage and avoid it better after rehabbing.
More than anything, Meneghin is just happy to be back and in action.
“It feels a little bit weird being away from the team for so long and just not being involved in everything,” Meneghin said. “But getting back on the ice with the boys is nice. Especially just taking reps and getting back in small-area games, or just competitive stuff. It’s nice to be back in the groove.”
Looking at tonight’s matchup, Red Deer (15-18-3-1) sits last in the Central division and traded away players ahead of Thursday’s deadline. They sent out 18-year-old forward Cole Peardon, 20-year-old defenceman Hunter Mayo and 18-year-old forward Trae Wilkie, bringing in 20-year-old blue liner Keaton Dowhaniuk and 18-year-old forward Nishaan Parmar.
“They always come hard, a great forechecking team, they work and are always one of the hardest working teams in the league,” Frazer said. “They make it really tough in front of their net, so it’s going to be a great challenge.”
The Oil Kings (21-14-1-2) are in third place of the Central, they have a 7-2-0-1 record in their last 10 games, the same as the Tigers. The last time the two teams faced off was Dec. 7 at Co-op Place, a 7-5 Edmonton win where forward Roan Woodward two-hand slashed McKenna in the knee, sending the CHL’s top prospect off to the dressing room to end the second period.
Frazer says they aren’t at the point of standings watching, still focused on one game at a time.
“All we can control is our effort and attitude and how we come to the rink every day,” Frazer said. “We can’t control other teams, we have to make sure when we show up to the rink, we’re ready to get better. (Thursday) was a great practice, and when the games come around, we have to make sure we’re ready to go.”
Ward commits to NCAA school
Tigers’ forward Mat Ward made team history Thursday.
The 20-year-old forward committed to play for the Northern Michigan University Wildcats in 2025-26 upon the completion of his WHL eligibility, announced on the Tigers’ social media Thursday afternoon.
The Kamloops product has 11 goals and 29 points in 38 games this season.
