Medicine Hat Tigers take on Red Deer Rebels for fourth time in six games

He says the team has to take it game by game.

“I think we just got to do all the little things like stop on pucks, all that stuff. I think we just need to tighten up our D zone a little bit too,” Pickford said.

“But once we get all the little things, we have the skill to win. We just got to work together. There’s a whole bunch of new guys too, so it’s different with all these new guys joining our group,” he added.

“But once we get together, we’re going to be good.”

The newest member of the Tigers, goaltender Harrison Meneghin, was acquired through a trade with the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday was able to make the quick turn to get to Medicine Hat to play the same day against the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Goaltender of the Year for the Central Division last season was told about the trade on Saturday, quickly said goodbye to his billets in Lethbridge, and made the trip down highway three to meet his new team.

“Got told I was starting. So I was excited, but I was like, oh, wow, I’m pretty nervous. New group of guys, but it was a great, experience just coming into the rink the first time, meeting everyone,” Meneghin said.

“They’re kind, so inclusive, and I they’re excited to see me. So that was honestly a great feeling.”

He stopped 23 of 27 shots in his first game with the Tigers in a 6-3 loss to the Warriors on Saturday, which included a pair of empty net goals in the final few minutes of the game.

Meneghin said there was excitement when he heard the news of the trade.

Regardless of the teams slow start, he feels once things get rolling for the team, they won’t stop.

“But I think especially this year for me and for this team, like the goal is a championship,” Meneghin said.

“I think we have a really good shot and I think it’s all up to us whether we want it or not. We have a great team, great coaching staff.”

Pickford says he’s enjoyed the ability to play closer to his hometown of Chauvin, Alta. after being traded to the Tigers from the Seattle Thunderbirds in the off season.

“It’s quite a bit closer, so I was excited,” Pickford said.

“We have a good team here, a good group, and we’re going to get it going here. I’m excited.”

Pickford adds he knows Red Deer is a tough opponent, but thinks the Tigers will get the job done this time.

On Wednesday, the Tigers named Oasiz Wiesblatt as the captain.

READ: Oasiz Wiesblatt named as new Medicine Hat Tigers captain

The Tigers take on the Rebels tonight is 7 p.m. at Co-op Place.

The radio broadcast with Will Bryant and Lance Doll begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wild 94.5.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat Tigers take on Red Deer Rebels for fourth time in six games

Our Community