Medicine Hat Tigers host Calgary Hitmen in return to Co-op Place

Tigers Defenseman Nate Corbet, who had a goal and an assist against the Warriors, said he feels more comfortable holding onto the puck and making plays this year.

“Last year was a big development year for me. I learned a ton and what I needed to get my game to,” Corbet said.

“I’ve been working a lot, working smarter and harder. Just always shooting pucks, stick handling, it’s helped me a ton, with my puck skill confidence and ability to make plays.”

Corbet said going to Edmonton Oilers rookie camp gave him extra motivation going into the season.

“Going in and being as prepared as possible, preparing all summer for that and having a decent showing, I think that’s helped me so much,” Corbet said.

“Learning to where my game needs to get to, and I know what it takes to get there. Just putting it into work every day, has helped me, be consistent throughout this first 10 games of the season.”

Corbet said his dad Rene Corbet, a former National Hockey League players, has been a huge influence on his career.

“There’s been many ups and downs, past few years, and he’s helped me so much,” Corbet said.

“He’s not super hard on me, very constructive criticism, and he’s helped me a ton and stayed even keel, not to ride the roller coaster of emotions,” he added.

“Always tells me to control what I can, and that helps everything. All the anxiety goes away when you really think about that.”

Tigers forward and rookie Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll who is from Utah said he’s a huge fan of playing in front of the Medicine Hat crowds, and is enjoying being in Canada.

“Everyone is so kind to me, everyone I’ve met has been super nice, and they love the Tigers. It’s always starts a conversation,” Gordon-Carroll said.

“It just reminds me a lot of where I am from in Utah. Everybody knows everybody.”

Wednesday contest against the division rival Hitmen, will be a battle of two teams with an even win-loss record.

It will also be a battle against their hometown team for Corbet and a few other Tigers.

“Them being a rivalry team, it’s hard not to get up for those games. You look forward to those rivalry games and the physical ones,” Corbet said.

“They’re a big skilled team, what more could you ask for to go up against a team like that and challenge yourself.”

Gordon-Carroll said he’s been focused on learning from some of the older players on the team, especially a center like Oasiz Wiesblatt, as well as Andrew Basha who occasionally plays down the middle.

“Faceoff win percentage is something I focus on a lot. Because that’s important for the centers to win faceoffs,” Gordon-Carroll said.

“Plus/minus I’m not the one getting scored on, hopefully finding the back of the net every once in a while.”

Corbet said the Tigers can’t look too far into the future, knowing that can be overwhelming, with big expectations for the team this year.

“The only thing you control is the moment. Why not be most prepared for what’s right in front of you. We’re looking at Calgary right now,” Corbet said.

“They’re a big, strong team and play with pace, so do we. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Puck drop at Co-op place is at 7 p.m.

The radio broadcast with Will Bryant and Lance Doll starts at 6:45 p.m. on Wild 94.5.

Ticket are available at the Co-op Place ticket office, or tixx.ca.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat Tigers host Calgary Hitmen in return to Co-op Place

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