Medicine Hat Tigers riding wave of support into final regular season games

Medicine Hat is as invested in the team as they’ve been in years and the players are starting to take notice.

Co-op Place filled with over 5600 fans, the most so far this season, for last Saturday’s 7-3 victory over the Red Deer Rebels.

Medicine Hat Tigers forward Hunter St. Martin, says the support is what you dream of playing in front of growing up.

“It’s unbelievable, it brings a new energy to the team, like I said, it’s what you dream about,” St. Martin said.

“The city, the fans, showing up, wanting you to win, cheering you on, loud buildings, that’s what you live for, that’s why you play hockey.”

The fans are getting behind their Tigers ahead of what is shaping up to be a deep playoff run.

Co-op Place is already sold out for the Tigers final home game this coming Saturday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes,

For Tigers forward Ryder Ritchie, this type of support is something he hasn’t experienced before.

“I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a game that’s sold out so early,” Ritchie said.

“It’s definitely exciting and it gives us energy for sure. And then when our fans are out there and they’re loud, I mean we build off it and it’s a fun environment for everyone.”

Co-op Place will be bumping Saturday night with its largest attendance for a Tigers game ever, surpassing the number reached when Conor Bedard came to town in 2023.

The Tigers hope it’s a sign of things to come for the playoffs, when the intensity ramps up not just in the building, but on the ice.

Acquired from the Saskatoon Blades at the trade deadline, Tigers defenseman Tanner Molendyk, knows a thing or two about playoff hockey.

“I find myself as like a high pressure player. I love playing in those games, I love tight games – tight checking,” Molendyk said.

“I find myself struggling in the blowout games, kinda once it gets tighter I feel I start to open up more.”

Just as the Tigers will be rocking their throwback jersey’s Saturday, the team is hopeful that the fans can turn back the clock, too.

They hope the fans can bring that energy that was felt by so many Tiger teams in years past, when they were in the old arena.

Hunter St. Martin’s dad, Blair, was a defenseman for the Tigers from 1994-1998, and got to experience the intensity of playoff hockey in the old Medicine Hat Arena.

“I know that in the old arena, it was always packed,” St. Martin said.

“It was a little concrete box right, sounds bounced off the walls, so I hope we can bring that energy. I know the fans can do it, and I’m really just can’t so how excited I am for it.”

Post-season tickets go on-sale Monday at 12 p.m. on tixx.ca and at the Co-op Place box office.

by Will Bryant

Medicine Hat Tigers riding wave of support into final regular season games

This Week in Flyers

This Week in Flyers

Our Community