1st Period Update: Tigers prepare to battle Chiefs in WHL Championship Series

Spokane is also 0/2 on the man-advantage with their third powerplay ongoing when the second period begins

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The WHL Championship Series is just one sleep away, and for the Medicine Hat Tigers, an entire season’s worth of work boils down to just one series.

The Tigers will be taking on the Spokane Chiefs, a team they played just once this season in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory.

Going into that game in January, Tigers forward and WHL Player of the Year Gavin McKenna understood it was a potential finals preview.

“I said going into that game that if we can beat these teams and we see them in the Finals, it’ll be good for our confidence, so I think that’s huge for us,” said McKenna.

“If we don’t win that game, then we might not be as confident, so we’re ready, we know we can beat ‘em, and we’re excited.”

It’s been a busy week for Gavin McKenna, who on Wednesday was named the recipient of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, the WHL’s highest individual honour.

“Without the team around me, it’s not possible.”

“I got to play with some talented players who helped me achieve my goal…at the end of the day, it’s a team sport.”

Joining McKenna on the ice will be forwards Cayden Lindstrom and Andrew Basha, who are making a return just in time for a crucial series opener.

Basha AND Lindstrom go tonight for Game 1 of the WHL Finals….now the other question

Who draws out? https://t.co/Tpmi3cA0C8

— Will Bryant (@willllbryant) May 9, 2025

Across the ice from McKenna will be Berkley Catton and Andrew Cristall, both of whom also earned player of the year nominations but fell short to McKenna.

“I think they’re super talented players,” said McKenna.

“To get to this point, it shows they’re very capable of winning that award,” he added.

Cristall and Catton were also complimentary when speaking about McKenna being named Player of the Year.

“He’s unbelievable, you almost saw it coming a little bit,” said Catton.

“He’s a pretty special player,” added Cristall

“What he’s done in this league at a young age is phenomenal,” Cristall closed.

Both clubs stand out for their explosive top lines, but Tigers Associate Coach Joe Frazer understands Spokane is more than meets the eye.

“They transition really well. You gotta make sure you’re getting the puck behind them because if you turn it over, they’re taking off and they got a lot of skill.”

Despite the fanfare, it remains clear how much winning a championship would mean to the Tigers.

“It would be unbelievable,” said Tigers captain Oasiz Wiesblatt.

Wiesblatt played all of his 284 regular-season games here in Medicine Hat, 14th most in team history.

“For the city, for me, and for this team. Just an unbelievable feeling.”

For Tigers star Gavin McKenna, it would be the crowning jewel on an already historic season.

“It’d mean everything. To see how far this organization’s come in the last few years…it’s been special.”

“Going from 11 wins to making playoffs the next year, and then now being here in the Finals. It’s been pretty special.”

After falling a goal short of making the WHL Finals last season for Tigers defenseman Tanner Molendyk, it would be the ultimate redemption.

“I don’t even have words,” said Molendyk

“That’s the lifetime goal. I mean obviously there’s the Stanley Cup but this is the next closest thing,” he added.

Game 1 goes Friday night inside a sold-out Co-op Place against the Spokane Chiefs.

Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m., and you can catch all the WHL Finals action on WILD 94.5.

The pre-game show gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

by Will Bryant

1st Period Update: Tigers prepare to battle Chiefs in WHL Championship Series

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