Photo Courtesy Medicine Hat Tigers

By Lisa Parent

Medicine Hat Tigers gear up for Saskatchewan showdown

Jan 30, 2024 | 7:35 PM

In the midst of the Medicine Hat Tigers’ countdown to the post-season, each upcoming game carries significant weight.

Having just concluded a two-game clash against the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Tigers experienced a mixed outcome – a shootout loss on Friday followed by a win on Saturday, adding to their Eastern Conference standings with an additional three points.

“I thought we had a tough game in Moosejaw on Friday, but to get a point out of that game, it kind of just shows the team that we have,” Tigers forward Gavin McKenna told CHAT News.

Individually, McKenna’s performance in the two games earned him seven points, clinching the WHL’s Rookie of the Week title for the second consecutive week.

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McKenna credited his linemates Oasiz Weisblatt and Hunter St.Martin for his success.

“I think we found a groove. I think we all fit each other’s play style,” he said.

The Tigers addressed a roster gap against Moose Jaw with the return of left-wing Andrew Basha.

Basha had been absent from the previous game due to his participation in the NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game in New Brunswick.

Basha says his experience there flew by, but he’ll cherish it.

“It’s definitely a hard game to play in, it’s a lot like tryout hockey. Everyone’s kind of trying to do their own thing and show what they can do,” Basha explained.

“I’m just happy that I got to experience it.”

Now refocused on the Tigers, Basha looks ahead to the upcoming weekend, where they will face off against the Saskatoon Blades and the Prince Albert Raiders in Saskatchewan.

“They’re both huge games for us,” said Basha.

“Just the whole conference being so tight right now, we want to finish as high as we can.”

The Blades currently hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 33 wins and nine losses.They’ve only lost two games at their home-rink all season.

“They’re really structured, so everything’s not gonna go our way,” explained McKenna.

“I think we just can’t get frustrated against a team like that and I think we’ll do okay.”

The Tigers are slated to face the Blades in Saskatoon on Friday, setting the stage for a crucial weekend in their pursuit of a successful post-season campaign.