By CHAT News Today

INTERVIEWS: Tigers host Ice for final time this season

Mar 7, 2017 | 9:38 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Tigers are hoping to build up their point total heading into the final games of the regular season, as they host the Kootenay Ice tonight at the Canalta Centre.

All six of the Tigers final games are against divisional opponents. After the Tigers host Kootenay, the Edmonton Oil Kings make their way to the Gas City on Friday before the Tigers head up to the provincial capital on Saturday. After that, Medicine Hat takes on Red Deer next Tuesday, with the final two games of the season as a home-and-home series against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Tigers assistant captain Steven Owre knows his team can’t slow down, knowing their two-point lead over Lethbridge can swing either direction very quickly.

“There’s six games left and every single one of them is important,” said Owre, who’s scored five goals in his last five games; two of which game-winners. “The standings are tight and we want to be in the best spot possible for playoffs.”

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Tonight’s game is the seventh and final meeting of the season between the Tigers and Ice. Medicine Hat has won all meetings this season, outscoring the Ice 37-12. The Tigers come into Tuesday’s game after a tough 5-3 loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday, while the Ice have lost three of their last four games.

Nick Schneider to start his first game since Feb. 24 tonight. The #MHTigers goalie has been nursing a minor LBI for the last while. #whl

— Mitch Bach (@CHATTVMitchBach) March 7, 2017

“Every team is going to battle hard in this league, (Kootenay) is going to come out ready,” said Tigers forward Zach Fischer. “We just need to play our game, respect them, work hard, and play like every other game.”

The Tigers sit second place in the Eastern Conference with a 46-19-1-0 record and have clinched a playoff spot. The Ice, who have a 14-41-8-2 record, sit in last place in the Eastern Conference.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m., and Bob Ridley will have the play call on CHAT 94.5 FM starting at 6:30 p.m.

Team to use Pride Tape

The Tigers’ hockey sticks will look a little more colourful tonight, as the team will be using Pride Tape during the game.

Pride Tape, which has been worn by multiple hockey teams, is used a a symbol to show support for LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans. Sales of the tape help support LGBTQ youth outreach initiatives, including the You Can Play project.

Tonight our boys will be wearing Pride Tape in association with #hockeyisforeveryone and the City of Medicine Hat pic.twitter.com/NMI7zQDrfL

— Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) March 7, 2017

-With Files from Ryan Plysuik