NEWS PHOTO ZOE MASON
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Jonas Woo and forwards Liam Ruck and Noah Davidson celebrate Ruck's first period goal in a 7-1 win at Co-op Place over the Calgary Hitmen on Oct. 4.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Vibes are high through the first five games of the Medicine Hat Tigers’ season.
The defending WHL champions took part in a team building activity Monday, facing off in some paintball coming off a pair of back-to-back wins. Coming off the ice following practice Tuesday they each gave hypothetical answers for goal songs they would choose for themselves.
Captain Bryce Pickford says those team builders have started paying off for them.
“We’ve bonded pretty close at the beginning of the season, that’s helped us with our wins and we’ve been off to a good start for the season,” Pickford said. “That’s obviously nice to see but we have to keep it going.”
It’s a different air for the Tigers from a year ago, a 4-1 start brings a contrasting vibe from the 1-4 start last year that led to early questions and frustrations but eventually paid off. After seeing his team get out to a much hotter start this year, head coach Willie Desjardins says there’s no difference beyond the next game in front of them.
“What’s happened is always gone, you can’t change it, so it’s always what can you do in the next game,’ Desjardins said. “For us, we have to recognize that we have to work hard and that every game is going to be a hard game.
“The Calgary game was a little bit more one-sided on the scoreboard, but it was still a tough game. So we have to know every game is going to be tough. We’re going to have to play well defensively and we’re going to have to get good goaltending.”
The Tigers enter a three-game week, starting tonight at Co-op Place against the Central division-leading Edmonton Oil Kings. They’re riding a mini three-game win streak with a 4-2 win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Oct. 3 and a 7-1 win Oct. 4 over the Hitmen.
Saturday’s win was also a milestone for Desjardins, his 527th behind a WHL bench, putting him in sole possession of 10th all time among coaches. He’s 18 behind his close friend Mike Johnston, the Portland Winterhawks head coach-turned president and general manager.
He says the success is a reflection of the organization.
“All the good people I’ve got to work with through the years, one guy doesn’t do anything,” Desjardins said. “It’s nice for the organization and the guys, but it’s a reflection of the team.”
Forward Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll, who made his season debut Saturday after missing the preseason and the first four games with injury, says Desjardins has earned all his success.
“He deserved that championship last year, he put so much time in for the boys, he takes care of every single one of us,” Gordon-Carroll said. “He expects the best out of every single one of us and honestly, he just wants the best for us.”
Gordon-Carroll’s return was a bright spot for the Tigers, beyond the two goals and assist he had in the win. They’re still missing forward Ethan Neutens and Gavin Kor, with the latter skating but still a week away, Desjardins says.
Forward Luke Ruptash missed both weekend games but skated Tuesday, he was “banged up” according to Desjardins. The same injury denotation was applied to Max Sullivan who also missed the weekend and didn’t skate, and Desjardins says he’ll be out awhile.
Tonight against Edmonton will be the Tigers first look at the division leaders who are the highest ranked WHL team in the CHL, coming in at fourth. They sit two points ahead of Medicine Hat with one more game played, scoring two more goals than the Tigers (25-23) while allowing one more (13-12).
“They’re a good team, we just have to play our way though every game and then we’ll have the best chance to winning,” Pickford said. “They’re definitely going to be good this year, so it’s going to be a fun game to play against them.”
