GameSheet
Rassell, Brown lead Tigers to 2-0 series lead over Wheat Kings - MH News
Rassell Guides Tigers 7-3 Victory - Chat News
Wheat Kings in trouble - Brandon Sun
Pre-Game Notes
Bobby Fox had to miss the game. He was in Calgary and his family had a new baby boy!. Congratulations to Bobby Fox & Family.
Wheat King Baron Thompson was suspended for his hit last game on Dylan Macpherson. The suspension is TBD. It looks like Macpherson won't be back for game 3 or 4.
Lineup Changes
Trevor Longo and Joel Craven drew in, over Nassen and MacPherson. Nassen from what I hear is day to day.
Mason Shaw
Expected to be in Minnesota Monday getting his knee tested.
Attendance
2943 - The lowest attended playoff game in some time.
First Period
Tigers came out hard for the first couple minutes, but Brandon made a few adjustments to their play.
Brandon was pressing The Tigers and using their defenceman to pinch in at the blueline and that was causing the Tigers some issues breaking out of their own end. Brandon had some good chances early off turnovers, and at one point had a 6 to 2 shot advantage.
A Great Shift by Ryan Chyzowksi saw him go end to end and fire a hard wrist shot past Logan Thompson. That shift seemed to wake the Tigers up, as Brandon would not get a shot on net during the last 9 minutes of play. 1-0 Tigers
The Tide definitely shifted as Brandon continually got caught with 3 forwards in deep and the Tigers quick transition made them pay. A point shot from David Quenneville and a powerplay goal by Mark Rassell put the Tigers up 3-0. Tigers would outshoot Brandon 13 to 6.
Second Period
Off a broken play, there was a scramble at the side of the net. Ben McCartney would attempt a quick wrap around, but the puck squirted loose into the opposite side of the slot. Marcus Sekundiak would receive a gift and poke-check the puck into the net. 3-1 Tigers
The Tigers would respond immediately. Mark Russell would make a nice move and squeak a puck in through the five-hole of Logan Thompson 19 seconds later. 4-1 Tigers
Brandon seemed to shoot themselves in the foot as they made a handful of nervous mistakes, including getting into penalty troubles. Brandon took 4 minor penalties during the second period and the Tigers finally were able to crack the PP.
Jaeger White made a seeing-eye pass through the slot over to Elijah Brown, who had a tap-in to put the Tigers up 5-1 Tigers.
Notes:
Cole Clayton looked really good on the 2nd PP unit and on the ice in general.
Brandon's Logan Thompson continues to look a little rusty. His timing is not quite on point
Brandon made quite a few nervous mistakes and at times were hearing footsteps.
Third Period
Brandon was able to generate some life shorthanded. David Quenneville bobbled a pass at the blueline and Connor Gutenberg was able to send Ty lewis racing away on a breakaway. Lewis beat Hollett low glove side. 5-2 Tigers
Tigers again would respond quickly to Brandon momentum. On the powerplay, Jaeger White attempted a pass and it went in off Chase Hartje's stick into the net 6-2 Tigers.
Brandons 4th line would continue to play well. Gary Haden was stripped along the boards and moments later Marcus Sekundiak would score his 2nd of the game 6-3 Tigers.
Moments Later the Wheat Kings would pull Logan Thompson. Thompson was limping in the crease while the Tigers were on the PP and forced to make some more butterfly style saves on a limping leg. The trainer would come out and pulled Thompson out of the game in favor of Dylan Myskiw.
The Tigers would finish the scoring of a bad Turnover from Ben McCartney pass into the slot. Josh Williams layed into a howitzer from the high slot. Final Score 7-3 Tigers
Notes:
The Tigers looked like they ran out of gas a bit in the 3rd period.
Thoughts
For a moment Brandon looked like the better team early in the game. It could have been a completely different story had they managed to score first. Craven and Longo held their own minus the gaffe of Haden in the third period.
I thought most of the Tigers played well. Haden looked like he had an off night. The turnover he gave up was from lazy play.
The veterans were all playing well. The future looks bright seeing as the Tigers had 9 players who were 17 or younger in the lineup compared to Brandons 7.
Next Up
Tuesday, March 27th in Dauphin Manitoba
22 comments:
Think we can lay to rest the moniker of Medicine Hat has "the best fans in the dub" because it's simply not true anymore. Another terrible crowd, must have been toenail clipping night in the gas city.
Turning point as you said, Chyzowskis shot on goal that was going wide, muffed by Thompson and for some reason completely sucked the life out of Brandon.
Tonight attendances was a dismal 2,943. That is the worst-attended Tigers playoff game since a crowd of 1,590 saw them swept by Swift Current - March 24, 1997. Brutal
The only thing I can figure attendance wise is the lack of 18-30 year olds in the crowd. It seems this generation has no interest in leaving their houses or tearing themselves away from their video games or phones to actually attend something. Another factor could be that people are just fed up with ownership and their lack of interest in marketing this team. I see Lethbridge attendance for their 2 home games wasn't much better, including a 3400 count for a Saturday night game.
As good as we have looked at times, this series is far from over.
1 Hollett has been good but still shaky at times and that 3rd goal was a little weak. Regardless I'm rooting for him.
2 We have had all bounces and breaks go our way. The luck is going to turn at some point in Brandon's favour.
3 Clayton has really stepped up but we still have made plenty of mistakes in our end that luckily haven't costed us. Macpherson certainly helps us in our own end.
4 Like I said we have been lucky but guys are burying on their chances. That isn't going to last. I'm not being negative but I'm being realistic. Thompson hasn't played his best which is good for us but if their goaltending tightens up and they get a few breaks offensively we need to be careful.
Actually 12:47am I think you are being negative. Tigers did a ton of good things in both games but you choose to pick out a couple of negatives and say they've been lucky so far. I prefer to think that those bounces they're getting were created largely do to hard work and not all "luck". I fully expect more of a push back from Brandon also but if the Tigers continue to play as they have the Wheaties will have all they can handle.
From Greg Drinnans column...
The greatest mystery in the the WHL these days is this: Where are the hockey fans of Medicine Hat? The Tigers used to draw 4,006 fans per game to the Medicine Hat Arena. Now they have a new arena in which they have played three seasons. They have finished atop the Central Division each of the past two seasons. In 2015-16, the average announced attendance was 4,248. Last season, that number was 3,586; this season it was 3,295. That’s a decrease of 953 over two seasons. Yikes!
Then the playoffs arrived and the attendance in Medicine Hat dropped even further. The announced attendance on Friday was 3,050, as the Tigers opened with a 7-2 thrashing of the Brandon Wheat Kings. On Sunday, the Tigers posted a 7-3 victory before an announced crowd of 2,943. . . . After Sunday’s game Sean Rooney of the Medicine Hat News tweeted: “This is the worst-attendance Tigers playoff game since a crowd of 1,590 saw them swept by Swift Current on March 24, 1997.” . . . Hey, that was 20 years ago. Yikes, again!
There are lots of other things to do in Medicine Hat. The fans I know who decided not to support the Tigers anymore were fed up with management. Their thoughts included that it would be nice to get a discount on ticket prices if bought early. Also the way the seat selection occurred in the new arena made many not renew.
I'm happy to see Clouston not reverting back to his old ways and allowing the lines to stay together so they can develop some chemistry. Also glad he is allowing the younger ones ice time. Ryan Chyzowski has developed into an powerful player because he has been given good ice time. Would be nice to see the 16 and 17 year olds given equal ice time during the regular season. They did play lots this year due to injury but previous years that has not been the case. I'm glad Hollett is in net. He needs the experience if we are going to contend in the next couple of years.
Longtimefan. They worked extremely hard and I'm not denying that. My point is that they aren't going to score 7 goals a game so we will need to tighten up. As good as we have been Brandon has hemmed us in more than a couple times and we have turned the puck over at the blue line more times than I think we should have. I'm just giving my opinion but with that said in more than happy they are up 2-0.
Where have all the fans gone?!!!!! I don't think it's really that hard to figure out where or why. There have been many factors that come into play. Yes, they are winning which is great, however it's usually in the regular season and no chance at a league championship due to how the team is built. Same systems, same management with the same direction year after year after year (boring), same old same old.
When the new building opened, fans were given their new seats and many were not happy and asked to change, which I understand they were allowed to but only to certain locations, fair enough. Then, year 2 came and they were still given grief over changing seats by office staff, so some or many just chose not to renew their seats. The worst part about not renewing their seats is it's a pretty good chance they're not coming back as they will find other things to do with their entertainment money and or actually not miss it at all.
The promos during the game are boring and have been repetitive for many years. Season ticket holders are expected to pay for their seats in June and not all can afford to this (maybe a payment plan), which again they may not renew. No incentives for buying season tickets, not even a little bit of a free give away (sweatshirt or hat for example), which would go a long way to make fans feel like they are appreciated. Marketing within the organization is just sub par, many other teams in the league have passed them in this area by so much already it's a joke. Third jersey(?), oh yeah what's that!!!!!!!!!!! When they had the league mandated Don Cherry jerseys it was one of the best promos in this building to date. Third jerseys would go like wild fire and help generate team unity, team spirit and probably most important for management, profit and sales.
Head Coach and GM is rarely or maybe never in the public eye promoting what he and his team are all about or talking to fans or addressing questions (lots of teams have coach talk about the game after the game in a fan forum). Is there something he's afraid of? It's always the same coach who says the same crap after each game (so predictable). Former Head Coach and GM Willie Desjardins would always be doing public events such as serving coffee at Tim Hortons (camp day) to just simply talking to people in public. That kind of thing is huge to a fan and it also shows accountability which our current leader always preaches within his group of players. Maybe a one way street there.
Fans really don't get their money's worth out of just coming to watch the team play hockey with the way the game and marketing/entertainment has evolved. It's boring and nothing ever changes, so maybe changes need to start at the top. As mentioned earlier, once they're gone they may NEVER come back!!!
"Loudest barn in the DUB", in no way is that happening anymore!! SAD SAD SAD
Anon 1:56 very well written post. Couple things I don't quite agree with but the marketing and head coach and gm comments are bang on. I think this all goes back to one area and that is the team ownership. They decide where money is spent on promoting the team and are the ones that should be demanding the man in charge of the club is more fan friendly. You should send this to the hockey club for their consideration. I believe that perhaps if more people aired their feeling maybe ownership would take notice and make some changes to the way they do business.
http://chatnewstoday.ca/article/551721/macpherson-injury-fairly-significant-baker-called
Macpherson is on crutches and they say the injury is "fairly significant" He still needs an MRI and going to the doctor today, but they don't expect good news.
Daniel Baker has been called up.
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no word on the length of the suspension to Baron Thompson yet.
You don't think the shrinking fan base would ring bells with the ownership? I wish some of these longer posts would go in the paper. I am very worried that in a few years we may not have a team as the market here is disappearing fast. I know it could come back with the right people in charge but that's the chance of that happening??
Just a heads up Thompson got 3 games after some digging. As for the dismal crowd absolutely ...offer 2 for 1 tickets and / or continue that awesome AMA discount into the playoffs the Canalta Centre should be packed. What a pathetic sad sack of affairs on attendance and don't give me the location nonsense or the economy excuse!!!
The poor turn out is nothing more then supply and demand. At the old Arena, demand was so high for a low supply of seats. No one would give up seats as you would never see them again. You increase supply - especially by such a huge amount (always thought the 6000 seats was a huge mistake) and then, as in all economic situations, demand goes down. It has nothing to do with management/coach/gm/winning/losing - it is supply and demand. And I am sure the tigers knew this was coming.
So did MacPherson tear his ACL? Is he out until playoffs next year? There should be more games added if that is the case. 3 games for a knee on knee (if results in ACL tear) seems pathetically light. Will take a whole year of his development away from him. I have always felt that dirty plays like knee on knees or head shots that result in significant injury should come with severe suspensions. Interesting if it was “can return when the injured player does”.
Here are my thoughts on the attendance issues in both Lethbridge and The Hat from a CANES fan and season ticket holder. As someone said earlier there are No incentives to get playoff tickets. Huge price increase over regular season. HELL we didn't even get a cheap towel this year. There are a lot of season ticket holders that didn't buy the playoff package because its to expensive ($23.00 / game). If the building was full the Canes would make more money selling tickets at $13.00 then they do know. Could go on and on but I think I made my point. Good luck Tigers until the CANES KICK YOUR A$$e$. LOL
I think anon@8:39 hit the nail right on the head. Simple case of supply and demand. When nobody in town can get tickets everyone wants to come. When tickets are readily available the interest level drops. Everyone in Medicine Hat knows that they can come to any Tigers game at any time because it's pretty unlikely to sell out.
Ticket prices haven't increased in something like 15 seasons...Every team in the WHL increases the price slightly for playoffs. $23 for 2+ hours of entertainment, with free parking is too much money? That's barely the cost of a meal at most places.
There are other issues at foot, such as lack of transit and poor customer service from the Canalta Centre staff which definitely play as factors.
I also think WHL Live has taken some of the butts out of the seats. It's a cheap option to sit in the comfort of your own home and watch the same hockey. As a fan that watches the team year long on the web, the quality of the broadcasts most nights are up there with the big guns like Edmonton and Calgary.
I've been a season ticket holder for only 3 years so I can't speak to how things were in the past. However having lived in several other WHL markets (Lethbridge, Red Deer and Edmonton) I always heard how loud and great the fans were in Medicine Hat, obviously that is no longer the case, I've got a few reasons why.
Supply and demand is obviously part of the problem, when people know they can get tickets anytime there is no rush to do so and it doesn't become a big deal anymore and lose enthusiasm to go. However I am shocked at the lack of marketing/advertising the Tigers do.
Having lived in other markets there seemed to always be a push to sell tickets. Lethbridge offered several different game packages, as students we used to buy 36 game vouchers as a couple and go with friends, it was very affordable and got young people in the building. In Edmonton there was always family packs that made it possible to take kids to the game and have some snacks at a decent price. I do agree though, not everything is about the cost, more importantly it is about the perceived value of what you're getting.
I think the owners were spoiled for so long by sell out crowds that they feel they don't have to do anything and people will show up, obviously that has changed.
Last season before renewing my season seats I looked at what the other teams in the league were offering. Almost all had a no seat wasted, ticket exchange option for missed games. Most had some type of gift (hat, scarf etc), several teams have a team meet and greet with players and coaches for season ticket holders, discounts on concession and merchandise, some teams even included first round playoff tickets at no charge. These are all little things that add value in customers mind. The Tigers do none of them as far as I know and seem to have little care for their dwindling attendance.
I emailed the Tigers at the beginning of the season to ask why they don't do any of these things for their season ticket holders, never did get a response. Until they realize they need to change how they go about business, nothing will change.
I continue to buy seats because I enjoy going with my kids and know that if I didn't already have the tickets I wouldn't be attending Tuesday night games in mid January when it -25 out. Since we already have the tickets we go.
That's my rant sorry for the long post, been thinking about it lots lately.
PUT BULLION IN NET!!! That Alaskan is the next Carter Hart. Just needs some more games played. GO BULLION GO!!!!
I have a friend that is a business man in the city and some time ago he sat down with one of the owners and offered his services to assist the team in marketing and promotion. Things such as game packs, different merchandise, third jerseys and other promotional ideas. The owners response was, "we don't do that, we're old school". So in a nutshell that is where this team is, without the owners on board nothing will change.
I to have sent emails to the team with my concerns and had no response but maybe if enough people do it someone in that organization will take notice.
Logan Thompson will not dress tonight.
I don't think he was healthy to begin with. He got hurt against SC.
I moved here 5 years ago from Vancouver and I am happy to be a season ticket holder for a winning team! I don't understand what all the complaints are about? They are young men playing good hockey, its been fun watching players like Rassell and Quenneville develop over the years. I am looking forward to seeing Chyzowski and Williams grow and to follow their careers, they will be stars.
Also, the ticket prices haven't changed in years, so I don't understand why people are complaining about the cost? Or having to buy a round instead of game by game in playoffs? The Tigers aren't reinventing the wheel by doing that. It's pretty standard across the board for playoffs.
I will admit, the concession prices are insane and the customer service quality is terrible. Waiting 45 minutes for cold food is embarrassing. But that is the Canalta Centre, not the Tigers.
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