Edit
Goal tender Austin Lotz has left the Tigers due to a season ending shoulder injury. Will undergo surgery.
— Bob Ridley (@BobRidley_CHAT) November 11, 2015
Lotz last played Friday November 6th the full game against the Kootenay Ice which Kootenay won in overtime 4-3. Nick Schnedier played the Saturday game where the Tigers lost 5-2. It seems a cruel joke that this happened right after the overage deadline as the Tigers are now in a pickle.The Tigers acquired Lotz in the overage waiver draft for free. They are now short a backup goaltender as Schneider likely resumes the #1 role.
Their is a Ton of Tiger Hockey on schedule as the next 3 weekends we will see friday and saturday night games.
Tri-Cities and Kootenay are in town this weekend
Tigers Aquire Mack Shields
Medicine Hat, AB – The Medicine Hat Tigers announced Thursday morning they have struck a deal with the Prince George Cougars to acquire 95 born goaltender Mack Shields in exchange for a 2017 7th Round Bantam Draft Pick.
http://www.whl.ca/article/tigers-deal-with-prince-george-acquire-shields
The Cougars had 3 goaltenders on their roster acquiring disgruntled Prince Albert Goaltender Nick McBride last week. Shields was the goaltender for the Calgary Hitmen last season when they eliminated the Tigers in the second round of last years playoffs 4 games to 1.
53 comments:
Confirmed on Bob Ridley's Facebook Page.
Thanks updated post.
Nothing on the league transaction page that was posted on November 9th and he was the backup on Saturday. Possibly a medical issue and not hockey related. If true it's a huge problem. Schneider has not looked comfortable at all this year yet and from what I saw from Ryan Rommelaire he isn't ready to play in this league yet. Prince George has three capable goalies on their roster, Ty Edmonds and overager Mack Shields along with newly acquired Nick Mcbride. Could be a possible trade partner.
Too bad I really liked Lotz,s energy, I think Nick deserves the #1 spot and experience same with all the hard working rookies experience could pay off next season!
Does Calgary still have 4 OA? If so Burke will be in play.
Tigers acquire Marc Shields from PG for a 2017 7th round pick.
It is too bad for Lotz. He was performing extremely well for the Tigers in net.
So sick and tired of losing by a goal or two. So sick of so many goals against. Kinda getting sick of watching this crap hockey.
Shaw Butcher Sanford
Gerlach Owre Bradley
Rassal Mowbray Fischer
Hamblin Fantillo Jevne
I'll just be blunt I hated and didn't understand the new line combos. It felt like they skipped 3-4 attempts that they should have gone with first. I think it showed on the ice. They had an abnormal amount of off-sides and didn't develop many scoring chances 5v5 until the third period when the lines changed with a short bench. I really hope that they don't continue those combos as I feel they are not utilizing their strengths, and making players play above their suited roles.
I think they should keep Sanford/Owre together. I think it was poor to demote their new weapon in Rassall to a 3rd line role. I think it was poor to have 2 young 17's in their top 6. I think it was poor to take off one of their centers into a wing position.
----
Cox had a great showing for Vancouver in his first game. Scored the OT winner and added an assist.
Thought Zach Fischer had a good game, was physical and created some turnovers off of it. I agree with your comment about the lines. Cox, Owre and Sanford were one of the top trios last year, why not leave the other two together and fill one spot. They created a good chance on their first shift in the third.
Let's be honest here though, this is not a very good hockey club. Average goaltending, very suspect defence and an extremely small forward group with an average to below average skill set. Scary part is this might not be the real down year , with no highly touted prospects on the horizon, especially on the defensive side, there could be some real lean years ahead. This team will struggle to get to the 15-20 win mark this year.
Now I know what it's been like in Lethbridge for the last number of years. Scouts better pull up their pantie hose and choose the best players a last place team can get.
I like butcher, shaw, gerlach they play well together,shaw,mowbrey, rassel and butcher are working so hard, I liked the way they played before sanford came back he isnt working hard too bad:(. Defense needs to play harder its a team game all cylinders have to click no misfiring, Battle of the last places tonight vs Kootenay.
100% agree with longtime. The team is a glorified midget hockey club, they are so small and the injuries are going to keep happening unless they get someone to help police this team. Defense is brutal this year the bottom two pairings you can't figure out who is the worst line because they both play average at best. Our overage defenseman is terrible in his own zone, misses a big clean hit for whatever reason and then gets kicked out for a stupid reason. It's extremely disappointing to watch these games and to see the team get physically dominated and lose 80% of their corner battles just on size alone. How can a coach/GM not see that they need some size upfront and upgrade the defensive core? A 20 year old goalie is not going to be a savior of this team and the Tigers traded for Shields when Burke got released the next day who's a far better goalie than shields. The management of this team is at a hair pulling frustrating level at this point.
I think we would have been better off keeping Staples and Hunt players with team first mentality.
Are we playing for the first overall pick next season? The highlight of the game for me has been the commentary by Jessie, What happened to the scouts that used to find stars like Derek Dorsett and Chris Stevens from the Ajhl or Sjhl players who would give it their all hurt or healthy, some of our best players have been walk ons. Shields should be a better pick than Burke I think Burke has a tendancy to be injury prone.
Fischer had that one shift in the second where he flipped the puck up and out-muscled a couple defenceman and then the Tigers bumped up his ice-time. I think He needs to play like that more often he is sitting back to much.
I think this team is better than what they have been displaying. I really do agree that the Tigers should draft forwards that have some height to them. At least mix it up a bit. Their future core is 5'9 5'10 and I hope they grow a bit they need some size.
I think once Sanford gets going again and we see better goaltending this team is capable of being a playoff team. They should get better as the season goes along.
Geez, it's a little early to give up on the team isn't it. Granted they are not playing their best but there are a lot of new players, we have had key injuries and our goaltending has struggled. Alot can change between now and the end of the year. We are just so spoiled with having winning teams that we don't know how to handle losing.
Hunter Shinkaruk was called up to the canucks today.
Shinkaruk did not see the ice during the game.
Shields was pretty good. The guys played with more confidence infront of him compared to Schneider. I am a fan of Schneider and hope he is able to find his confidence in net again.
Wasn't able to watch the last game, but sounds like they played well against Kootenay.
Shinkaruk played tonight. Recorded 1 hit, 1 takeaway, and 9:35 of icetime according to nhl.com
http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/boxscore?id=2015020263
Twenty seven goals against in the third period in 19 games, along with poor special teams is a recipe for losing.
Maybe time for a coaching change???? Something has got to give Coach Clouston looks stressed.
Maybe Clouston should stick to coaching and leave the gm's duties to someone who has an idea of what to do.
I like these combos much better than what they are using.
Rassal Owre Sanford 35%
Mowbray Bradley Butcher 30%
Gerlach Shaw Jevne 20%
Hamblin Fischer fantillo/Preziuso 15%
1st line is the scoring line. Go too Line when needed.
2nd line is basically a veteran line that can add some offense. Half checking/half scoring
The third line is a young scoring line, They match up very well against other 3rd lines and could play against 2nd lines if needed.
4th line is an up and coming line
For it to work Rassa keeps playing the way he has. Mowbray needs to step it up a notch which I think he is capable of doing being a veteran player.
Nice line scenario,s I agree Mowbrey and Rassell are 2 real diggers who deserve top 6 time!!
Great Win Against Everett!! Couldn't attend the game, but I heard that Nick Schnedier played awesome and the Tigers as a whole played very well in the second period.
Let's keep that momentum going!
Does anyone think there is something wrong in the dressing room? Just not enough fire on this team, especially in tonight's game. By the end of the game they looked like they could care less. Maybe time to rebuild in earnest, especially on defence. I can't see keeping so-so 19 year olds on defence when maybe we could trade away some veterans and get some young defensive prospects?
He only plays 4 anyway and the overage can't shut his mouth 12 minutes in uncessarry penalties
Caftan it seems you have changed your tune from a week ago.
"Geez, it's a little early to give up on the team isn't it. Granted they are not playing their best but there are a lot of new players, we have had key injuries and our goaltending has struggled. Alot can change between now and the end of the year. We are just so spoiled with having winning teams that we don't know how to handle losing."
Fact is this isn't a very good team. Horrid special teams, 18th in pp and 21st in Pk. Fourth last in goals against but have played less games than everyone else and with the upcoming schedule it won't be long until they are dead last. Defensive game is terrible and it's not just the dmen, defensive zone coverage from the forwards is not good at all.
Concerning thing for me is the state of the defensive group. None of the guys we have would be a top pairing player on any other team. Stanton, Schultz and Kirichenko are maybe 3,4,5 guys while the others maybe shouldn't even be in the league. It's pretty obvious to me that list wise there isn't a 16 or 17 capable of playing or they would or should be on the roster.
Clouston the gm is going to take a lot of heat for the state of the team and he should because ultimately he is in charge but I' m going to lay a big part of the blame for this mess on former director of player personnel Brad Macewan. He's the guy that ran the draft and made the selections. Here's hoping Darren Kruger can have a couple good drafts and change the outlook of this team. I'm confident he can.
Maybe if they had a 3rd jersey or a camo jersey, star wars jersey the players would enjoy playing on a basement team no jk, tear me up for that comment!! lol... There are some players who play with heart, butcher,owre, shaw, queneville, play well, how about the fantillo fight this kid has some heart and can hit the corners quite well. I am afraid tho the overage group has lost heart stanton and sanford have had better years.
How long does it take to build a new dressing room? I will volunteer my carpentry skills.
We are going to have a tough year so dump the 20 forward and dman and rebuild.
agreed
Stanton should have never been kept as a 20 year old. He is slow and lacks urgency in his game. I would be happy to see Sanford and Stanton traded as I think we would suck as bad with or without them.
I like the young guys, I dont think we can win with just them but I like them. I think I would rather see them get experience and hope next year and the years after are better then this.
Poor way to open up the Canalta Centre. Seats will be very empty soon.
Agreed get some policemen protect the young guys and let them develop
Agreed
I strongly disagree about stanton. He is playing half the game and makes many good plays in his own zone. He is facing a lot of pressure this season. He was one of the best defenceman in the playoffs last season but he also had a very talented supporting cast.
I agree that he has coughed the puck up too many times in danger situations, (which is a sign of being overplayed or above his means), but he is also playing half the game, facing the opponents top lines every shift and has a limited supporting cast.
If he had a lower role we would be praising his game and his ability like Kyle Becker last season, where he went from a player fans like to rip on to a fan favorite.
---
I do agree that they are missing some grit in their lineup. Garbage goals, screening has been a weakness for a long time. The Tigers as a team have had a lower shot percentage than average for a few years. They stick to their "system formula" and in their formula grit is a trait that is overlooked.
Rebound goals happen when a big guy in front is causing havoc where defenceman are targeting him, leaving room open for another forward to swoop in and pick up the trash.
-------
A typical cycle when a player or a team isn't doing very well they get angry/frustrated. They start hitting more and being physical. This gets them back into the game again. Soon they are winning one on one battles, developing confidence and then the goals start flowing again.
The Tigers system doesn't really allow for much physical play up front, which I would like to see tweaked. I would like to see them harp on finishes their checks, without taking penalties. It slows the other team down. It's a big part of the game that leads to +ev, if penalties are minimized.
Tigers skills comp being advertised.......what, wait, our team has skills?!?!
Longtime fan your view our Brad Macewan could not be anymore insane, you are questioning his scouting skills when he got hired by an NHL team to scout WHL players? hard to question his scouting when he's working in the big leagues
Anon 3:59 you have your opinion, I have mine. I think the proof is our roster and protected list. It's made up of a collection of undersized players with Very few prospects that are considered above average. Just take a look at the goaltending position. Tyler Bunz is the last bantam drafted goalie to be a starter for this team. Not counting Langhammer because he was a euro pick, how many trades have they had to make to acquire capable goalies.
You're right he did get a pro gig scouting but I guarantee he won't be spending to much time watching this roster.
I swear we have had worse teams and got better results then this crap we are watching. Remember the Holfeld days?? We have no goaltending and no forwards yet we still made playoffs. With each loss we are piling up it seems like we will be on the outside looking in. Pretty disappointing so far. And I hate how the goalie position is like a rotating door.
Here a are couple observations after being a tigers fan for a handful of years, and knowing other people around the league and comparing stories. Last season we played the top 6F and top 4D and kind of went for it(not really)for a long run. So this year you have only a handful of guys with experience. This year other than the top forward line, Stanton and Schultz on D everyone else is a new trade or having very little experience in the league. Fischer, Rassell, Shaw,Quinville,Gerlach,Hamblin,Preziuso,Jevne,Fantillo,Forest,Heid, all may as well be new players on this team. Even when they played last year not much meaningful ice time to develop. Remember Butcher played 4th line playoffs last year as well.
Opening day I as everyone was super thrilled to be in the new rink, then doors aren't open in time missed the start, our tickets didn't work to enter after we did get in, went to buy tigers gear they didn't have any new items or very little of anything, the 50/50 booths are the old ones from the Arena, the sound guys had a tough time playing music you can even hear, no banners, no room for the players, no tail gate, No real opening night performance, the mascot suit looks like its 100 years old. To bad this has set the stage for the year....Oh yeah do the tigers ever buy another jersey or spend any kind of money on the fans or players?
As for the play well its obvious there is very little leadership on the team, even poor teams will compete and play hard for one another. we have a handful that do and none are the vets. We have seen a number of first time goals this year and I have yet to see a vet pick up a puck for the young guys. I would trade away the older players they have either had enough of Sean or are to entitled to play. There are a great group of young players that don't need to learn to play tigers hockey that way. I question the development of players the last 4-5 years outside of what they brought with them to the tigers when they arrived. We are paying for it now and I feel for the young kids who have to dig there way out in a rink that doesn't feel like there own, an ownership group that seems to be the tightest around, and a fan base that shows up not to cheer but judge as soon as we get in the door(I know I am one). Ps Tigers as you head out on the road with your team looking for hope. At least throw a old tigers sticker on the side of the bus if you can find one, you might be the only team in the league that goes down the road with no pride on the side. It likely starts right there!
I agree with anon Nov 23 09:47. Many players have not been given the ice time to develop. Not surprised they are struggling this year. In order to compete you need to be able to roll all 4 lines not just the top 2. No surprise in previous years that we could not get past the second round in playoffs. Would like to see Clouston take on the manager role and let a new coach take over.
Management are so tight that they have even fired the photographers from what I heard!
I dont remember the owners ever doing a public appearance not even at the season closing festivities at the old arena obviously they dont give a duck.
Don't know whether or not the ownership has fired the photographers but I do know that in years past the team has stocked the room where the scouts and game day staff congregate before the games with refreshments such as donuts, pizza, coffee and other drinks. This year because of the ongoing problem with signing a lease and the fact that any food and drink must come from the Canalta Center they have chosen not to supply anything. Classy bunch they are.
With how terrible the food is, they might be doing a favour lol but seriously the arena had the greatest taco in a bag tons of ground beef was reasonably priced and the canalta centre is over priced with hardly any meat and the meat they use is disgusting. Use to go eat at the games on the weekdays and now I make sure I eat before and I've heard the taco in the bag thing is a view shared by a lot of fans
Don't tell me our goalies are THAT good! We choose small so-called "more skilled" players for years....Wow are they ever skilled!
The final event of the night was a fun Elimination Shootout, a time where both teams are sent at the goalie in an attempt to be the last player standing.
Forrest: 0/1 Heid: 0/1
Stanton: 0/1 Gerlach: 2/4
Stanton 2: 0/1 Shaw: 0/1
Bradley: 0/1 Preziuso: 0/1
Hamblin: 0/1 Quenneville: 0/1
Jevne: 0/1 Fantillo: 0/1
Schultz: 0/1 Butcher: 0/1
Rassell: 0/1 Mowbray: 0/1
Kirichenko: 1/4 Sanford: 0/1
Owre: 0/1 Clouston: 0/1
Team Butcher wins the Elimination Shootout by Max Gerlach being the last person standing, scoring in 2 of 4 rounds of the competition, beating Clayton Kirichenko.
Ownership needs to step up and show the fans something....The lack of communication from this team is pathetic...It starts right at ownership.
Now with this big venue the organization will need to do more promotions to keep the fans coming out to games...Attendance is starting to decline each outing and with the economy in the tanker fans are choosing to spend their entertainment dollar in other areas. Tiger game is not the place to be on game night anymore. The appeal has gone...It is now up to ownership to lead the charge to better things. Weather that be a Memorial Cup bid. Or maybe a Showcase game. Things need to change...
First two Tigers even strength goals scored on a shift changes with Rassal, Mowbray, Sanford. against the rebels top line and defensive pairing. Those 3 looked really good together, mind you they had the advantage being on at the end of a shift.
If not for Shields the Rebels would have hit the 10 goal mark. Buckle up folks, it's going to get ugly.
Thought the team had a pretty good game last night and maybe deserved a better fate. Defence was better but the still have a ton of work to do. As a team they still have an issue with picking up the late guy on rushes and defensive zone coverage. Once again their opponents special teams were better and cost them another loss. Going to be in tough to pick up any points on this BC road trip.
Post a Comment