NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Ryder Ritchie dekes towards the net in the first period of a 6-1, Game 3 win at Prince Albert over the Raiders on April 16 at the Art Hauser Centre.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
There’s nothing left for the Medicine Hat Tigers to do but watch and wait as their next opponent is finally decided tonight.
The Tigers will join WHL Eastern conference fans who will be tuned into Victory+ or in Calgary’s Saddledome tonight for Game 7 of the second-round series between the Calgary Hitmen and the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Whichever club wins that decisive contest will have one day off Thursday before heading to Medicine Hat on Friday for Game 1 of the East finals. They will meet a Tigers team who last played on April 17, a 3-0 win at Prince Albert over the Raiders to sweep the second-round series.
It’s a break that associate coach Joe Frazer says they have to take advantage of, healing up bumps and bruises while also ensuring they stay ready for puck drop Friday.
“Whoever we play, they’re a great hockey team, whether it’s Lethbridge or Calgary, both teams are really good,” Frazer said. “So we have to make sure that you do it right, you get the right amount of rest, but then make sure when we hit the ice for practice it’s, it’s ramped up and the intensity is there.
“It’s good because before the second round we had some time off and we used it pretty well, and now just kind of replicate that so we’re ready to go Friday.”
Frazer, like most coaches in the playoffs, wasn’t going to share the health status of the Tigers. They used the same 18-man roster for all nine of their first- and second-round games. Watching the Hitmen and Hurricanes series from afar, Frazer says there’s been a lot to learn and pick up from the two teams.
“Those are two great teams going at it, not a lot given up,” Frazer said. “Both teams are very structured, really good defensively, not a lot of rush chances – like they’re really good in the neutral zone. Both teams’ goalies are playing well, so it’s just great hockey. Whoever we play, it’s going to be a heck of a series.”
Giving the previous series a quick reflection before looking forward, Tigers forward Ryder Ritchie enjoyed facing his former club but is excited for a more normal series. The Minnesota Wild prospect scored twice and recorded an assist in the series win over Prince Albert.
“It’s always nice to beat the team that traded you, so it was huge for myself, but even bigger for the team,” Ritchie said.
He’s tuned into the Hurricanes and Hitmen series, surprised by the amount of scoring between two defensive teams. Ritchie says he’s enjoyed the break but is looking forward to getting back into action as they look to make it to the WHL finals for the first time since 2007.
“It’s similar to last series, P.A. and Edmonton went to seven, so we had to wait till the final minute to see who we play. But we just have to do what we can in our dressing room to get ready. We have to take care of our bodies and keep the water hot here this week, so we’re ready to go in Game 1.”
Monarch Theatre offering free viewing of away games
The Monarch Theatre will be streaming Games 3 and 4 from the Eastern conference finals. The local theatre is offering free admission with a non-perishable or cash donation to the Root Cellar.
Their 400 seats will be filled on a first come, first served basis. They will also be offerening cash-only concessions.
The Tigers’ third-round opponent and away dates are still to be decided.
