Mathew Ward will make the return to Swift Current for his first game against the Broncos since being trade to the Tigers. File Photo/CHAT News

By Jesse Gill

SPORTS

Ward returns to Swift Current to play Broncos for first time as a Medicine Hat Tiger

Dec 4, 2024 | 5:45 PM

It will be a return to Swift Current for a long time Broncos player and current Medicine Hat Tigers forward.

Mathew Ward played four full seasons as a member of the Broncos before being traded to Tigers prior to the season.

The Tigers are in Swift Current tonight taking on the Highway 1 rival Broncos.

Tigers forward Mathew Ward played four full season in a Broncos uniform before being traded to the Tigers before this season.

He says some of his best friends still play for Wednesday’s opponent, but he’s avoiding contact with them until after the game.

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“I got a call Monday night and I kind of told one of the guys, don’t call me until after the game,” Ward said.

“I am not talking to any of you guys the rest of the week,” he added.

“It’s go time right. Kind of how I am.”

Ward said it should be a really special night for him to play, regardless of how he’s received by the fans in Swift Current.

“Hard to say. I spent a lot of times there, and I think I was an appreciated guy there and I hope so, but I mean at the end of the day I get it, if it’s the other way around too,” Ward said.

“It’s hockey, junior hockey so fans are exciting here.”

Ward adds that the Innovationplex is a hard building to play in, but is a building the Tigers need to come away with a win in.

This is the first of four meeting between the two clubs, far less often than the nine meetings last season when the teams were each part of the Central Division.

Both teams have similar records heading into the game.

The Broncos sit at 14 wins, 10 losses and one shootout loss to sit second in the East Division.

The Tigers still hold onto the top spot in the Central Division with 15 wins, 11 losses, and one overtime loss.

The Tigers have won their past two, while the Broncos have lost four straight heading into the contest.

The Tigers have lost their last four contests played in Swift Current.

Wednesday’s game starts at 6 p.m. with the play-by-play voice Will Bryant on the Wild 94.5 broadcast starting at 5:45 p.m.