Medicine Hat Tigers battle Red Deer Rebels for third time this season

It’s been slow start to a season with high expectations, and already a pair of losses to the Rebels.

Tigers forward Andrew Basha, fresh off signing an entry-level contract with his hometown Calgary Flames earlier this week, said he is hoping for a better fate against the Rebels after getting some time to practice as a more complete group this week.

“This week we had a great week of practicing. Got to play our game better. I think we know now as a group better what our identity is after these practices,” Basha told CHAT News this week.

“[I’m] really happy to have a third crack at them, and good to get the defending champs in Moose Jaw after that,” he added, referencing Saturday’s at-home game versus the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Wild 94.5 radio airs all Tigers games home and away live with commentator Will Bryant.

Basha at the Flames

Basha has enjoyed his experience so far with the NHL’s Calgary Flames.

“[It was] definitely a really good experience to get my first camp, and put on that Flames sweater for the first time was something that is very special to me and my family,” Basha said.

“I was thankful to be able to have lots of friends and family in the building for the preseason games,” he added.

“It was obviously unreal to get the contract done very early. Just really proud.”

St. Martin return

The Tigers will also have forward Hunter St. Martin back in the line up this weekend.

St. Martin is fresh off training camp with the Stanley Cup winning Florida Panthers.

“All these top guys that you’ve watched on TV and now you’re sharing the same ice sheet with them and competing with them and kind of vying for the same thing,” St. Martin said.

“I had a really good time there and obviously was able to showcase my skills with some opportunity in those games and learned a lot.”

He said it was a surreal experience and a dream come true, but also good to be immersed in that winning culture coming back to the Tigers.

“I’m more than happy to be back with the boys here and now vie for a championship here,” St. Martin said.

St. Martin said he’s been itching to get back playing in front of Tigers fans and working towards building a winner for the city.

“Getting better on and off the ice, building more chemistry with some of the new guys and just come this weekend and just establish our identity,” St. Martin said.

“Play fast, physical Tigers hockey and we can’t really control what happens but as long as we go out there and bring our best game, play Tigers hockey, then we know that we have confidence that we’ll get wins.”

‘Day-by-day’

Basha was able to get a goal and an assist against the Rebels last weekend, and is focused on continued improvement as a player and with the team.

“It’s just building every day, obviously the end goal is we want to win a championship this year and then go to the Memorial Cup and win that,” Basha said.

“It’s just taking it day-by-day and game-by-game and building right until the end,” he added.

“You know, showing the league and our fans, what we’re capable of.”

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat Tigers battle Red Deer Rebels for third time this season

Basha at the Flames

St. Martin return

‘Day-by-day’

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