Tigers Win Home Opener 6-3

Intro:
I thought the player introductions were a little too ordinary.(Just darkening the arena and announce the players). They need something to spice it up, like a mini pyro show or something.

Scratches:
Wacey hamilton - Day to Day
Bretton Cameron - 3 to 6 weeks
Scott Brkich -
Tomas kundratek


General Gameplay:
The first period started out pretty slow. The first shot on net for either team didn't come until the 10:00 minute mark of the first period. The tigers play looked pretty good in thier D-zone coverage, but didn't generate many scoring chances. The canes were a half step ahead in the neutral zone, and the tigers were being pushed off the puck as soon as they managed to get in the nuetral zone.

The tigers play was better offensively in teh second and really turned it up in the third, hemming lethbridge in thier end for a solid 2-3 minutes straight. The canes did look a little tired, and the momentum was greatley favoring Medicine Hat. Getting a goal with 16 seconds left in the second period to cut away a 3-1 canes lead really set teh tone for the third period.

Fights: Stampohar vs Castro
changed. They both were throwing wildly, each landing a few.Castro had the upper hand early then Stampohar ended the fight throwing a couple good shots that dazed castro and falling on top of him. Not a clear winner, but a slight edge to stampohar for a good ending.

Game Thoughts:
Was a little dissapointed in the vets during the first period.
When the tigers played a "waterbug" sorta style they become way more effective. Lethbridge started panicking and couldnt manage to get puck possesion.

I really liked the play of Joey Frazer, Josch Koper, and Zdenek Okal. They showed some good hustle and forechecking tenacity. I think once Dman Thomas carr gets some experience he will become a good player for us on the back-end. He showed some good mobility in his own zone

EDIT: I think I may have mistaken Thomas Carr for Jace Coyle, I checked the gamesheets after and Coyle was wearing #4 not carr. ...

Taylor gal reminds me of travis dunstall.
The tigers were missing a physical presence on the ice, having hamilton and cameron out didnt help. I think they should consider converting cody carlson into a forward. He works hard but panicks a little too much.

For lethbridge I couldnt help but notice Dwight King. He didnt get any points bur, he's a big player and the tigers had no answer for his size and playmaking ability.

edit: Derek Dorsett scored a goal tonight in an nhl exhibition game with columbus losing to Nashville 3-1

Lethbridge Wins in Overtime 1-0

Regulation ended in a 0-0 Tie.
Hurricane Dwight King scored 18 seconds into overtime.
Sounds like Holfeld stood on his head and played great.
The tigers didnt get many scoring chances untill the end of the third period.

Mathew Konan fought Hurricane Carter Ashton. Listening to the Hurricanes broadcasters it sounded like a pretty even tilt.
His 2nd fight in three games.

The tigers killed off 8 Lethbridge powerplays, hardly giving Lethbridge any scoring chances.The tigers played pretty aggressive and were able to deflate any Hurricane pressure.The tigers only had 2 tiger powerplay chances. The tigers now havn't allowed a powerplay goal in 22 chances.

** IF there is one thing to note it seems like the tigers are giving up way too many powerplay chances a game. 2 games in a row where they have let the other team have 8 chances.

Tigers record stands at 1-0-1-1 good for 4 points, out of a possible 6
Tigers play their first home game Tomorow Night...Cant Wait!

Hollweg does chris farley? - and other notes

A couple quick notes
Former tiger Gord Baldwin apparently has a "significant" knee injury and will miss a good chunk of time for the quad city flames.

Derek Dorsett is becoming a little fan favorite in Columbus, their finding out he can stir the pot up pretty good.


Hollweg does chris farley? The other day a toronto newstation did a little report and hollweg did a little impersonation

Kundratek back

Tomas kundratek was assigned back to Medicine Hat today.
I heard rumblings about a finger injury, so I'm not sure if he will play on friday

Darren Helm palyed in an exhibition game tonight and drew 1 assist, while making some key defensive plays, and creating turnover. He didnt get a star but a blogger @ http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/25_LiveBlog.php
thought he could have easily been one.

Derek Dorsett survived teh first set of Columbus cuts today.

No luck for Bretton Cameron

Last playoffs Bretton Cameron couldnt play because of emergency Appendicitis Surgery (or something similar, cant remember the exact name). Now just 2 games back and he is out another 4-6 weeks with a fractured hand he suffered in a fight last game against Finnish player tommi kivisto from the red deer rebels. Cameron was dominating the fight untill Kivisto dropped him with a bomb. Both players left teh game after the fight, Kivisto came back for one shift in teh second wearing a full face shield, but that was all as he left the game soon after as he could not see properly.

A couple ex tigers in nhl exhibition today

Derek Dorsett was in Columbus lineup, had about 5 minsutes of icetime, and was involved in a first period scrap. Hopefully it will be on hockeyfightscom sometimes tonight of tomorow.

Matt Keetley was in net for the flames. Flames won 3-2.(telivised)
First goal he let in wasn''t his fault, Phaneuf gave the puck away at the blueline, then moments later slid into keetley knocking him and the puck in the net.

2nd goal: he stopped a shot that was tipped, then saved another shot off the right hand side, the third shot was sorta a quick shot from a bad angle after keetley dove to teh other side, the player sorta waited a sec then fired a quick one along the ice which beat him.

He wasn't tested too much, made most of the save look easy and routine.

3 days till Tiger Home Opener YaY!

Keetley on the tube tonight?

SPORTSNET.CA – The Calgary Flames will look to rebound from Tuesday’s loss to Florida when they take on the Phoenix Coyotes Wednesday in Winnipeg at MTS Centre.

Watch it live on Sportsnet West at 6 p.m. MT.

Reports say Matt keetley is expected to start tonight!

Tyler Ennis has been returned

The Buffalo Sabres today returned eight players to their junior clubs: forwards Luke Adam (St. John,'s, QMJHL), Paul Byron (Gatineau, QMJHL), Tyler Ennis (Medicine Hat, WHL) and Jacob Lagace (Chicoutimi, QMJHL); defensemen T.J. Brennan (St. John's, QMJHL), Nick Crawford (Saginaw, OHL), Drew Schiestel (Niagara, OHL) and Jordon Southorn (Prince Edward Island, QMJHL).

The Sabres play Montreal tonight (7 p.m., NHL Network) in Roberval, Que., as part of the Hockeyville 2008 celebrations.

The Sabres' home preseason schedule is this weekend at HSBC Arena with games Saturday at 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sunday at 7 against the Minnesota Wild.

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/446294.html

yarg

Jordan Bendfeld was sent down to the Springfield Falcons (Oilers ahl affiliate)
Former tiger Kevin Nastiuk was sent down to the Boston Bruins farm team Peoria.
Fomer tiger clark MacCarthur had a couple assists in buffalo's 7-4 loss to Toronto.

Former Tiger Jordie Deagle was released by the Prince George Cougars yesterday, got to be disapointing for a former 1st round bantam draft pick.

No word yet on tomas kundratek or tyler ennis. Neither has played in an exhibition game so far.

Rebels win in a shootout 5-4

The first period Ended with the rebels leading 2-0.
Rebel goal scoreres were Landon Ferraro, and cody Gross.

Bretton Cameron just fought finn Tommi Kivisto. Cameron got some good shots in then Kivisto dropped him. However Kivisto didn't return to the game according to the rebels broadcasters.
(Apparently kivisto could barely see out of his eye and looked pretty beat up, according to Luke egner on the broadcast during the rebels postgame show).
The rebels got an early jump but in the second half the tigers started to come on.

2nd period

The second period had another fight between John Stampohar and Rebel Cody Esposito, a couple of big boys. The Tigers also scored 2 goals to the rebels 1.
Scoring for the tigers was Linden Vey, and a rocket from Mark Isherwood both on the powerplay.
The rebels goal scorer was Tomas polak.
Down 3-2 with one period to go.
Landon Ferraro for the rebels got a 5 minute major and game misconduct for checking from behind.

3rd period
Isherwood fanned on a shot, it went right to bosch and he potted it in the net, on the powerplay. 3-3.
Isherwood then scored another on the powerplay to go up 4-3. He's had a nice start to the season so far 3 goals in 2 games.

Rebels tied it up when Rebel Tomas Polak scored his second of the night tipping the puck past Holfeld.

GOING TO OVERTIME
SHOOTOUT!

(Rebels)Willie Coetzee - Miss
(Tigers) Linden Vey - Miss
(Red Deer) Cody gross - Miss
(Tigers) Zdenek Okal - Miss
(Red Deer) Brett Ferguson - Miss
(Tigers) Travis Dunstall - Miss
(Red Deer) Brennan Wray - Miss
(Tigers)Brennan Bosch - Miss
(Red Deer) Cass Mapin - Goal
(Tigers) Wacey Hamilton - Goal
(Red Deer) Curtis Smith - Miss
(Tigers) Sean Ringrose - Miss
(Red Deer) Steve Oursaf - Goal
(Tigers)Joey Frazer - Goal
(Red Deer) - Colin Morin - Miss
(Tigers) - Mark Isherwood - CrossbarMiss
(Red Deer) Luke Egner - Goal
(Tigers) Jace Coyle - Goal
(Rebels)Tyler Penny - Miss
(Tigers) Colton Grant - Miss noshot
(Rebels)Cody Esposito - Goal
(Tigers) Josh Koper - Miss
Rebels Win 5-4 in a shootout

3 stars:
1. (Rebels) - Morgan Clark
2.(Rebels) - Tomas Polak
3.(Tigers) Brennan Bosch

All in all not a bad opening week 3 points in 4 nights.
Next Tigers game is a home and home with Lethbridge next friday.

Tigers Win Season opener

I listened to the Edmonton Broadcast and by the third it seemed like they were pretty bored by the play of the Oil Kings, and were praising the tigers squad.

Brennan Bosch was named the captain his assistants were Patrick Kozyra, Sean Ringrose, and Bretton Cameron.

Tonights starters Were

Grant Ringrose Cameron
Kozyra Isherwood

Tigers come out with a 5-1 victory. A GREAT Showing for missing Ennis, Hamilton, and Kundratek. The first 2 periods were fairly even but the tigers hammered the oil kings in the third period.

Tigers point summary
Colton Grant------- 1G 1A = 2pts
Bretton Cameron---1G 1A= 2pts
Brennan Bosch-----0G 2A=2pts
Mark Isherwood---1G 0A=1pts
Zdenek Okal-------1G 0A=1pts
Mathew Konan-----1G 0A=1pt
Josh Koper--------0G 1A=1pt
Linden Vey-------0G 1A=1pt
Sean Ringrose-----0G 1A=1pt
Tristan King------0G 1A=1pt

Posting game sheet link in the bottom right of the blog.

Captains

There is a good indication that Brennan Bosch could be named the next Tigers Captain. The medicine hat news had an article about it, with various players saying their first pick for captain would be Bosch.

- Bosch certainly would be a good choice. If i had to guess the A's I would consider wacey hamilton, Bretton cameron, and perhaps Mark Isherwood.

In other news...
Shayne Neigum, cousin of former tiger Derek Dorsett, has been named an assitant captain for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Puck drop tonight is at 7:00 Mtn.

Bendfeld - Sun writeup

The Edmonton sun had a writeup on "former" tiger Jordan Bendfeld. After reading this it pretty much 100% confirms he wont be back as a tiger.

"He's played well enough," said Oilers assistant general manager Kevin Prendergast. "I think we have to work on his puck movement at times - he panics a little bit - but he's a young kid, he's big enough and strong enough to take care of the rest of it.

"He's one of those kids that we want to see play. So he'll go to Springfield and if it doesn't work out there, he'll go to Stockton."

Here the link to the full article
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Oilers/2008/09/19/6812636-sun.html

Haven't heard much about our 3 players away an nhl camps.
Tomas kundratek didn't play in the rookie tournament in traverse city, which is a little odd. I heard something about a finger injury that kept him out.

I have heard Tyler Ennis is having a good camp. But no word on when he is expected back yet.

Bendfeld played regularly in Edmonton's preseason game yesterday. Watched it when it was streamed online. Looked ok, same old benfeld style of play.

Tigers take on Edmonton Tomorow in the season Opener..All i can say is woooohooooo!

WHL Shaw schedule is out

The tigers are broadcast: Times Local,PST
Friday Nov. 21/08 Medicine Hat @ Lethbridge 7:00pm, 6:00pm
Friday Jan. 30/09 Medicine Hat @ Kelowna 7:00pm, 7:00pm
Tuesday Mar. 3/09 Moose Jaw @ Medicine Hat 7:00pm, 7:00pm

3 games

Keetley Earns shutout in first preseason game

Goalie Matt Keetley stopped 22 shots for the shutout.

Keetley admitted to a rather wobbly start to the game.

"I was a little shaky out there at the start. I think I settled down and the guys settled down. They did a god job defensively. They kept the shots on net pretty basic for me," said Keetley.

The Flames second game of the tournament is against Vancouver Monday at 7 p.m. MT. The game will again be streamed live onto www.calgaryflames.com.

http://flames.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=381972

Traverse City Day 1

I'll try to give an updated list each day on how all current and former tigers do in this pre-season rookie tourney.
Only I former tiger on the ice on saturday
Minnesota Wild - Scott Wasden - 1 goal 1 assist +1 and 4 shots


No score yet reported for the game Between Red Deer and Medicine Hat.

Tigers trade Brown and Frazee

Tyler Kieffer sent to Medicine Hat in defensive swap Everett Silvertips Vice President / General Manager Doug Soetaert announced Thursday that the Silvertips have acquired Shayne Brown, 19, from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for defenseman Tyler Kieffer, 19. A native of Stony Plain, Alberta, Brown scored three goals and added seven assists for ten points in 55 games with the Tigers, finishing with 89 penalty minutes in his eighteen-year old WHL campaign.

Brown, a 6’1, 198 pound mobile, stay at home left-handed defenseman, has logged 138 career WHL games, amassing four goals and fifteen assists for nineteen points along with 172 penalty minutes.

“We’re happy to add a quality defenseman of this nature to our organization,” Soetaert noted. “He’s been a leader in Medicine Hat, and we look forward to his leadership here in Everett.”

After signing a WHL Educational Contract in November, 2007 following a stint with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars, Kieffer played in 27 games, finishing with three assists and 27 penalty minutes to go along with a +4 rating.
www.whl.ca

Hmm, I'm thinking he's more of a replacement for the loss of bendfeld. Someone who can play physical


Moose Jaw, SK: The Moose Jaw Warriors today announce that they have acquired 18-year-old right wing forward Thomas Frazee for a conditional 5th round pick in 2009.

Thomas joins the Warriors after spending a season with both the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Portland Winter Hawks. The 6’3 195 lbs forward was originally drafted by the Winter Hawks in the 1st round (11th overall) in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft.

He is an individual who brings experience along with the potential to contribute offensively. He also helps address our 18 year old age group an area we wanted to increase.” stated Warriors General Manager Chad Lang.

With the abundance of forwards something had to give, and frazee was the odd man out. Good move IMO.

Tigers shut out raiders in benefit game

- Brief recap
Tigers won 4-0. They outshot P.A 17-4 in the first period, alone .

“I thought it was a really, really good game,” said Desjardins. “I thought it was way better than most exhibition games.

“I thought it was like a league game and not even just a league game. It was more close to a playoff game. I thought the tempo was great.

The tigers dressed a few more vets such as, wacey hamilton, bretton cameron, and cody carlson, sean ringrose, linden vey. Holfeld, and Bunz both played




Jordan Bendfeld, Tyler Ennis, and Thomas Kundratek will probably leave for the respective training camps very shortly. Bendfeld is the only player not expected back.

Tigers lose to swift

The broncos beat the Tigers 5-3.

In other action from Saskatoon, Taylor Vause scored two goals to lead the Swift Current Broncos to a 5-3 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers on Sunday.

Jordan Peddle, Derek Claffey and Spencer McAvoy also scored for the Broncos (3-1) while Travis Yonkman made 26 saves to claim the victory. Shayne Brown, Zdenek Okal and Wacey Hamilton scored for the Tigers (2-2) while Tyler Bunz and Ryan Holfeld combined for 19 saves.
www.whl.ca

From the looks of things the tigers got into penalty trouble and gave up a couple 50n3 goals.

In other news...
Edmonton made a trade with P.G today.

Edmonton sent overager Cameron Cepek to the P.G Cougars and a 6th round draft pick. and Edmonton Received P.G's 3rd round Pick.

Tigers Thrash blades 10-2

Game Summary
The Saskatoon Blades were handed a 10-2 loss by the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday night. The Blades goal scorers on the evening were Brody Sutter and Darian Dziurzynski with Curtis Hamilton, Travis Toomey, Walker Wintoneak, and Brendon Wall adding assists.

For the Tigers, offensive production came off the sticks of Zdenek Okal (x3), John Stampohar, Linden Vey (x2), Travis Dunstall (x2), Taylor Gal, and Tomas Kundratek.

The Blades power play was 1 for 11 on the night while their penalty kill was 7 for 9. The Tigers also scored a shorthanded goal on a 5 on 3 disadvantage (Vey). Adam Morrison took the loss in goal for the Blades, making 20 saves on 30 Medicine Hat shots. Meanwhile, Ryan Holfeld turned aside 27 of Saskatoon’s 29 shots.
-www.whl.ca

Cody Carlson fought Darian Dzuirzynski from the blades. A brief recap on the white board stated it was a draw.

Bendfeld Signs with the Oilers

WHich means his chances of coming back may have just been thrown out the window. Yesterday I thought his chances of sticking would be 15%, but from reading various blogs about this signing I think those numbers just reversed itself. It will be a waiting game to see if he comes back.

Tigers Hosting Exhibition Game

The Medicine Hat Tigers will take on the Prince Albert Raiders on Tuesday September 9th at 7:oo PM @ The Medicine Hat arena. All the proceeds will be donated to Tony Aasman and his family.

Tickets are 10 bucks each, with rush seating only.

NHL Training Camp Invitees

I'll try to keep an updated list on any current tigers that get invited to NHL camp.


So far we know:

Tyler Ennis - Buffalo Sabres - Chance to stick - Unlikely
As buffalo would have to keep him up the whole year. Buffalo is stocked with forwards. At most Ennis would probably miss 3-5 games. If he impresses enough in Buffalo, they may let him play 1 or 2 preseason games, and if that is the case he would miss the Tigers home opener.


Jordan Bendfeld - Edmonton Oilers - Chance to stick - Possible-

From what I've read Edmonton Drafted Benny for his fighting ability and size. Edmonton's farm team were pushed around last year, and the Oilers used their last pick in the draft to get some toughness. The Oil's farm team has 15 D-men attending. I think they'll give Bendfeld a chance to make it, But he will have to have an impressive camp. If Bendfeld kinda just shows up and doesn't fight anyone, or bang the body, hell be sent back early.

If Bendfeld happens to sign it means his chances of sticking in the ahl/echl will be very good. Its still up in the air a little bit, but its possible he's back by the season opener, and its possible he is one of the last guys to come back.

Tigers vs Edmonton Pre-Season Action

-Screen Shot From Edmonton Oil Kings Website

Here is a quick SS of the game sheet. TO see a bigger version just click on it. The tigers lost 5-4, with yet again anothe rlineup laden with rookies. Linden Vey, John Stampohar, Cody carlson, and Frazee were the vets. The Edmonton paper reports that Edmonton's Jeff Lee, Ko'd Thomas frazee in a third period scrap.

Willie desjardin commented "I didn’t think we played as hard as we can play. Our older guys need to be better. And we’ll do better coming next weekend." in the MH news.

The Tigers next pre-season game is Saturday, september 6th in Saskatoon versus the Blades.

Maybe its just me but this preseason appears kind of secretive from a fans point of view. Not much information is coming out, and their are 0 preseason home games. 25 days left untill the first Tiger Home game.

Edit: After waiting a couple weeks for a head coach to be named for Team Canada's juniors, you sort of had a feeling that Willie Desjardin would be their second option or fall back guy in case things didn't work out with their first choice. Turns out the Hamilton Spectator(newspaper) has reported, Pat Quinn to be Hockey Canada's first choice. Nothing is official yet, but you'd think an announcement would be made relatively soon, with this kind of rumor leaking.