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Connor Bedard during warm-ups at Co-op Place ahead of WHL action between the Regin Pats and Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday, March 11, 2023. (Jacob Varcoe photo)

Co-op Place hosts another sellout with return of Bedard

Mar 13, 2023 | 3:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – One of hockey’s biggest names came to Medicine Hat on Saturday, drawing the second sellout at Co-op Place in five weeks.

Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats rolled into town to get trampled 7-0 by the Medicine Hat Tigers in their Saturday night showdown.

With an attendance of 6,405 fans, the game was the largest attended game in Medicine Hat hockey history, surpassing the previous record.

The attendance milestone was previously set on Sunday, February 5, in Bedard’s first of two games at Co-op Place during the 2022-23 regular season.

Hockey fans are attending Regina Pats games around the WHL just to catch a glimpse of the superstar in action. This was also the case for fans in Medicine Hat.

“I pretty much want to see Bedard,” said a fan in attendance, pre-game. “It’s a good chance.”

The appearance of the 17-year old phenom, who was granted exceptional status, motivated some fans to head to the arena for the first time in years.

“This will be my first one,” said a fan at Co-op Place, when asked if they’ve gone to a Tigers game this season. “I haven’t been to any in this arena.”

Co-op Place opened it’s doors in August of 2015 and has hosted just two games with an attendance of over 6,000. Both were this year, when Bedard came to town.

Playing in front of a sellout crowd was a memorable experience for members of the Tigers and they showed up to play.

“I’ve always said we have great fans here in Medicine Hat,” said Tigers Head Coach, Willie Desjardins, post-game.

“I appreciate them sticking with us, I’m hoping they’ll be excited when we build here and we’ll get a few more big crowds as we go over the next few years.”

The next Tigers home game is on Saturday, when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:00pm.