Rockets Burn TIgers 7-2

It was the Tigers 6th game in 8 nights as the Tigers finished up their 5 game road trip out west.

Looking at the game stats the Tigers outshot Kelowna in every frame, however they lost big on the battle of special teams. Kelowna scored 3 powerplay goals, and added 2 shorthanded goals. The tigers went 0for 6 on the powerplay. Tyler Bunz was pulled after the first period giving up 4 goals on 8 shots.

The tigers are currently second in the conference based on points, however they have played 56 games, 6 more than Calgary, and 4 more than Kootenay. Both teams could very well catch and surpass the tigers.

The tigers have 16 games left on the schedule and only 4 of those are road games(Calgary,swift,lethbridge,kootenay).

Here is a link to the recap in Kelowna's Newspaper.
http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories_local_sports.php?id=240454

Tigers Goal Song Contest

Medicine Hat Tigers Facebook
The Medicine Hat Tigers consider themselves to have the most loyal fans in the 'Dub, and we want to give something back!

We are proud to unveil the first BY THE FANS, FOR THE FANS initiative designed to make each and every Tiger experience even better. We want your input, your ideas and your support to keep Alberta's Orange County rockin'!

Submitted for your approval...WE WANT YOU, THE FANS, TO CHOOSE THE SONG THAT GETS PLAYED AFTER THE TIGERS SCORE A GOAL.

-From Medicine Hat Tigers Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=257851003564&topic=11804#/pages/Medicine-Hat/Medicine-Hat-Tigers/257851003564

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It says they will pick 4 of the more popular suggestions and put it to a poll on their website.

Tigers Defeat Cougars 9-3

Very late game. So here are a few notes on what I have observed through the game.

Notes: Zdenik Okal is dressed tonight playing 4th line minutes, he looks a little rusty but his feistyness is still there. Okal managed to score in his first game back rifling a shot off the faceoff past the shoulder of the Cougars goalie.

Devan Dubyk is in net. With Okal back in the lineup the lines were being juggled allot. I don't remember seeing Emerson Etem on the ice in third period, I'm hoping nothing serious happened to him.
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IMO the Cougars didn't look very good at all. They lost about 75% of the puck battles, their players looks very nervous with the tigers speed, fumbling the puck often, and did a poor job at getting sticks in passing lanes.

The tigers had their way with the cougars in the offensive zone, and spent most of the game in their zone. The tigers still had a couple defensive goofs where they fail 3-4 times to get the puck out of their end. The cougars probably could have scored 4-5 goals if they converted on more of their chances, the tigers defensive coverage started to take the night off after the first period, as evident by the cougars shorthanded 5 on 3 goal.

The tigers scored 5 goals in the first period, most of them were of the tap in variety. Bretton Cameron ended his goal drought as he absolutely wired a rebound shot into the back of the net, however missed a good 2on1 chance.

Fights
Carr vs Bidlevskii

A very good tilt. Carr caught him with quite a few well timed shots. Bidlevskii was chucking the fists too but it didn't look like many of them landed, while Carr popped him real good 4-5 times.

Gal vs Orser,
Camera guy missed most of the fight again. According to the radio guys Gal laid a heavy hit and Orser got up and gave Gal a few love taps when Gal went off for a change, and they engaged each other. Apparently Orser landed a few good shots. When the camera did zoom in on the fight it looked like Gal didn't want any part of the fight. Decision Orser

Kessey vs Breitkreuz
Camera guy missed most of the fight. All I saw was when Breitkreuz got the takedown and was throwing punches after they were down.

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The P.G camera quality seems decent, however their camera is zoomed in a little to much and loses sight of the puck. They also have very irritating ad placements which goes on during play, missing 2 fights.

Tigers sweep the Oil Kings 2-1

I thought the Tigers got off to a good start, but really laid off the gas pedal after the first 2 goals.

I thought the second period, and first 15 minutes of the third period were a little stagnant, I found myself switching over and watching the NFL playoffs.

I thought Linden Vey's line was a force through the game, and Tristan King had an incredible first period.

Emerson Etem was a little unlucky as a routine shot from outside the circle managed to just trickle in behind the Oil Kings Netminder Cam Lanigan. However the referee thought Lanigan caught the puck and blew play dead just as the puck was an inch from going into the net.

The tigers didn't bring their "A" game tonight but they found a way to win. I was a little surprised that Sportsnet showed the game on all 4 of their channels rather than just out west.

The tigers next action is on the road in Prince George. They play the Cougars, back to back in consecutive weekday games. A bit of an unusual schedule. The Cougars currently sit dead last in the whl, 11 points behind the Oil Kings.

The tigers get 4 straight games against the leagues bottom 2 teams, and I've heard rumblings about that from other fans and broadcasters. The tigers will have to try and take advantage of these two games, sometimes expecting an easier game can really backfire.

Tigers Whip Kings 9-2

Unfortunately I had to miss last night's game. I listened to pieces of the game from the Oil Kings broadcaster and it sounded like the Tigers had a strong territorial advantage through most of the game.

The tigers got a little help from P.A last night as the Raiders snapped Kootenay's 14 game winning streak. A 14 game winning streak is pretty damn Impressive, especially since they played bunch of strong teams. Only 6 points separates 1st from 5th.

The tigers have a small stretch of easier opposition during the next 5 games. Let's hope that the tigers don't take any of these teams lightly.

From what I understand Zdenik Okal is very close to returning. Okal should provide a big boost to the tigers lineup.

Tonight game is on Rogers Sportsnet at 5pm.

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A Power outtage during the middle of the Regina @ Swift game last night caused a lot of confusion. Apparently the power outage lasted for about an hour, and the security guards were kicking people out of the building as the lights came back on.

Apparently they started the game back up with hardly anybody left in the building.
You can read more about the story over at Keen's Corner blog(link to the right)

Emerson and Ennis with Big Nights

Top Prospects Game
During the second period. Emerson Etem scooped up a puck along his own blueline and turned on the jets to create a modified 2 on 1. He kept the puck and fired a rocket over the shoulder of the goaltender to tie the game at 1-1.

It seemed like the Taylor Hall line is getting twice as many shifts as the Emerson Line.


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Ryan Holfeld Update

Grizz' Goalie in the Grove

“Any time you have a chance to get a goalie who’s been in the WHL for three-and-a-half years, who’s been to the Memorial Cup, you can’t pass up that type of experience,” head coach Vic Gervais said after practice.

“Holfeld’s a great character guy and he’s really fitting in as a leader on this club.”

The article also goes on to say that former Tigers Cody Carlson had a big part in getting Holfeld more ice time with the Grizlies.

Link: http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/81929827.html

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Ennis Named AHL All Star Game MVP

Tyler Ennis of Portland won Most Valuable Player honors, an award that pleased the 5,225 Cumberland County Civic Center fans, with a goal and two assists as Canada defeated PlanetUSA 10-9 in a shootout tonight in the American Hockey League All-Star Classic.

http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/ennis-selected-mvp-in-canadas-shootout-victory/3579/
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The Tigers will be on Sportsnet vs Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday

Tigers loose to the Raiders but beat the Blades

A little recap vs P.A first

You could say the tigers were a little unlucky against P.A in Prince Albert.

Prince Albert is one of those night and day teams when it comes to playing at home and on the road. P.A has a .750 winning percentage at home but only .286 on the road.

The tigers ran into a very hot goalie. They played fairly well for the most part.

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Tigers defeat Saskatoon 3-2 OT

I thought the tigers looked fairly good tonight. They made 2 HUGE mistakes and both chances ended up in their net.

Jace Coyle fell over being the last man back on the PP and gave Saskatoon Walker Wintonek a mile of room on a breakaway. He took a weak little shot that Bunz stopped but he popped in the rebound.

The second mistake was when Matt Konan(the last man back) overskated the puck and then was stripped from it by Darian Dziurzynski. He walked in on a breakaway and went five hole.

I thought the line of Sena Acolaste, Travis Toomey, and Derek Hulak gave the tigers trouble all night. It was a little fortunate that the blades broke that line up when they moved Acolaste back to defence.


Thoughts
The tigers looked a little jittery during the first period, they weren't playing bad but their passes and communication was a little off. The momentum seemed to go back and forth through the second period, and I thought the tigers held a slight edge in play in the third period. Overall a pretty good showing.

I thought Tristan King was having a poor game, he lost the puck every time he touched it, however he made a nice play stripping a blades D man down low which led to the tieing goal.

Tyler Bunz made an amazing save fairly late in the game. THe blades looked like they had an open net after a 2on1, Bunz was in a sitting down position and it looked like his stick swiped the puck away as it was shot just above his pad.

He needs a little work on his rebound control. It seems like a common theme listening to the opposition broadcasters.

I thought Tomas Kundratek had a good showing for himself tonight. He scored the game winner in overtime on a coast to coast rush. He scored while falling over after getting checked cutting into the middle of the ice from near the corner.

I thought Talyor Gal had a pretty good night, and the rookie line is continuing to step up their game. I believe it was Dylan Bredo who nailed a shot of the post.

Fight
Cole Grbavac vs Sena Acolaste

They paired up after a shot on net. Acolaste was giving Grbavac all he could handle as it looked like Grbavac has his arm caught in his jersey. Acolaste got Grbavac's helmet off threw a punch, and then Grbavac managed to get his arm free from under his jersey. As soon as he threw a punch the refs stepped in. Grbavac would wind up with an extra 10 minute misconduct for puling his arm out of his jersey.

I think Grbavac is coming along nicely. He has showed some hands, and I like his attempts at gaining body position during play.

Chiefs Skin The Tigers 4-2

I thought it was a game where the Tigers could have won if the bounces went their way. A few players had off nights. It also seemed like their was a lack of emotion on the ice tonight from both sides.

I thought the tigers top line of Hamilton and Vey couldn't get anything going. Chipping pucks a little too short and just couldn't get the timing down right.

I thought Tristan King's teammates set him up beautifully 3 times, to no avail. The one play was frustrating to watch I'm not sure why he choose to kick the puck up to his stick instead of doing a little one timer with an open net.

I thought Tomas Kundratek had a horrible game. I think his play has been slipping. On Spokane's first goal he did one of those half pinches where he doesn't fully commit but moves up then a quick pass and the other team has an odd man rush. Then for some reason he decides to throw a hit on Spokane's defenceman all the way up at the blueline, taking him out of the play a second time. His poor decisions led to about 3 odd man rushes for Spokane, and they scored on 2 of them.

Tyler Bunz also had an off night. 2 of the 3 goals he let in were of the weaker variety.

On the positive Note Emerson Etem had a really good game. I saw good things from Cole Grbavac, and Joey Frazer played well. I also thought Mark Isherwood has played well lately.
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The tigers also cracked the CHL Top 10, placing at number 9 this week.

Windsor Spitfires (34-5-0-4)
Saint John Sea Dogs (36-7-1-0)
Barrie Colts (33-6-0-1)
Tri-City Americans (31-11-0-1)
Drummondville Voltigeurs (31-12-0-2)
Saskatoon Blades (30-9-1-3)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (28-8-4-1)
Victoriaville Tigres (30-13-1-1)
Medicine Hat Tigers (26-13-3-5)
Brandon Wheat Kings (28-14-0-3)

CSS Midterm Rankings Released

2 Tigers on the list.

Emerson Etem is listed at the 13th position for North American Skaters.

Tyler Bunz is listed as the 14th goaltender out of a list of 32 goaltenders from North America.

There are separate lists for European players and goalies.


Initial fan responses say these rankings could shift alot come the year end Rankings.

Link to the CSS Lists http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=59880

Tigers Shrink the Giants 5-1

Catchy title eh?

I was expecting a much tougher game from the Giants. Although you have to give them some leeway as they just traded away 3 of their players prior to the game, and newly acquired F Brett Breitkreuz (20) and F Thomas Vincour (19) weren't in the lineup yet.

With a depleted lineup the giants looked a little off their game. The tigers held the majority of the play and I thought outcome of the game was never really in doubt, despite the Giants outshouting the Tigers 30-26. It seemed like the Giants got a lot of their shots in the powerplay.

The tigers 4th line of Grbavac, Petryk, and Bredo played extremely well. They pinned the Giants in their end every single shift they played.

Bretton Cameron looks like hes going through a bit of a funk right now. I think he needs to forget about getting points and focus on winning the 1on1 battles and the points will come.

Where Bretton Cameron has trailed off Joey Frazer has come alive, potting 5 goals in the last 7 games.

Wacey Hamilton and Emerson Etem had pretty good games for themselves
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Tigers Stay Quiet during Deadline Day

Last Night the Tigers lost to Regina 5-4 in a shootout. The tigers came back from being down 2 goals twice in the game. They also managed to tie the shootout on their last shot twice, before Mark Isherwood failed to score. Devan Dubyk was in net again, he has been receiving quite a bit of ice time lately. The tigers had a tough time containing the Line Of Jordan Eberle, Carter Ashton, and Jordan Weal.

The tigers play the Vancouver Giants tonight. Games against the Giants in the past have always been entertaining to watch. Look for Linden Vey to have a strong game.
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Edit:

It appears that no deals were made involving the medicine hat tigers. The transactions page has been quiet for the last 20 minutes, and the whl website has a new article outlining the days trades. Didn't expect much to happen.

Tough Loss for the Canadians

Many things could have gone either way. After the first game these two teams played I thought the U.S looked like the better team. Going into the game I was a little nervous about what the outcome would be.

I thought Canada played better in the Gold Final. I thought the refs called 3 borderline calls on Canadian players, but made up for it later in the game when they called the U.S player for goaltender interference, which started the Canadian Comeback.

I thought Willie's Stamp on the team was pretty obvious. A passive defense that relies a lot on getting in the shooting lanes, blocking shots, and limiting the creativity of the other team. While the forwards generate chances off the rush and try to force turnovers in the neutral zone.

I think that the players had a little trouble adjusting to it. Which is why sometimes their passes looked sloppy and they looked a little unorganized at times.

It's much harder to judge a player by the TV and not getting a feel for them in a live environment.

I was really impressed with Taylor Hal, and Jordan Eberle. I also liked Travis Harmonic, Alex Pietrangelo, and Luke Adam throughout the tournament. I thought Brandon Kozun started playing better in the last 2 games.

Tigers Defeat Broncos 4-1

Fight Videos at the bottom.

Well I thought the Tigers didn't play that well tonight. I thought they played half-assed with offensive spurts. Swift was the better team through the first two periods. Luckily for the Tigers Devan Dubyk stole the game. He made a handful of really good saves, Including robbing Cody Eakin on a onetime cross ice feed.

I thought the Line of Emerson Etem, Matt MacKay and Kale Kessey showed some good chemistry together. Clouston looked like he was juggling the lines up a lot in the first two periods.

Cole Grbavac looked like his timing was off a little, still trying to get back into game shape. I hope they can mold him into a defensive forward specialist.

Joey Frazer had another good game including his 3rd goal in 2 games. I like how he has stepped up his game the last month.

I thought Wacey Hamilton had a really good game. He was throwing his weight around and buzzed around the net all night. Kale Kessey also played well.

With Isherwood being injured I thought Scott McKay did a good job filling in.

I was impressed with Tomas Kundratek on how he handled Micheal Stickland in their second period fight. Stickland had been throwing his weight around, being a thorn in the tigers side.

The two became tangled earlier in the game and Kundratek asked him to go but Stickland declined. Stickland threw a hit on Kundratek in the corner a second time, and Kundratek dropped his gloves and started to peel off Stickland's helmet.

Stickland looked like he didn't want to go but dropped his gloves after his helmet got knocked off. They came together hugging really close but throwing rapid short punches. They both landed some good shots and it looked like Kundratek had an early upperhand landing a couple punches for every one he took. The fans certainly appreciated the effort giving him an ovation after the fight was over. I give the decision to Kundratek.

Tigers Drop a 3-2 Decision In Swift Current

The hockey game was delayed for 2 hours as the Tigers ran into blowing snow like conditions on the highway up to Swift Current. Jon Keen reported that the tigers weren't able to arrive until 3:35pm, the game was supposed to start at 2:30 pm

I caught bits and pieces of the game mostly in the third period.

Tied 2-2 with just over 5 minutes remaining, Bretton Cameron took a tripping penalty right off a faceoff. The broncos maintained very heavy pressure throughout the power-play and eventually popped home the game winner.

The Tigers get the opportunity to exact some revenge tomorrow at the Arena. Hopefully the road conditions improve by then.

Joey Frazer scored both tiger goals. Frazer has been playing much better as of late. The tigers were without Mark Isherwood. Cole Grbavac was dressed and was wearing #14.
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Bit of old News... Emerson Etem was named to the 2010 Top Prospects game/skills competition being held in Windsor January 19th/20th.