Playoff Outlook
It's unfortunate the Tigers season took a recent slide. It is now very unlikely that they can grab a divisional playoff seeding, whereas a couple weeks ago they were in a fight for first place.
Divisional Seeding
1st - Not Possible
2nd - Almost Eliminated (2 Lethbridge Points or Tigers loss of points disqualifies from 2nd)
3rd - Unlikely - 7 points back with 6 games to play. They need to run the table to have a chance.
1st Wildcard - Very Possible
2nd Wildcard - Very Possible
Missing Playoffs - Very Possible
3 Teams for 2 Spots
Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Brandon - These 3 teams are very close in winning percentage. We could very well see a 1 game playoff at the end of the season (total wins)
Remaining Schedules
Medicine Hat ( 4 Home - 2 Road)
Calgary - Home
Lethbridge - Road
Brandon - Home
Red Deer - Home
Kootenay - Road
Lethbridge - Home
Better Home Record Than Road Record.
Red Deer ( 4 Home, 2 Road)
Brandon - Home
Kootenay - Home
Edmonton - Home
Medicine Hat - Road
Lethbridge - Home
Kootenay - Road
Fairly Equal Home & Road Record
Brandon ( 5 Road, 2 Home)
Kootenay - Road
Lethbridge - Road
Red Deer - Road
Medicine Hat - Road
Moose Jaw - Home
Regina - Road
Regina - Home
Very good Home team, 10-14 Road Record
Potential Playoff Opponents
Prince Albert - Very possible
Edmonton Very Possible
Lethbridge - Very Possible
Eliminated - Very possible
Calgary - Possible
61 comments:
When we moved to Medicine Hat 10 years ago one of the things we were really excited about was getting the chance to watch the Tigers. The Tigers have had a lot of success since then and yet when I read this blog I honestly cannot believe the negativity towards the organization. People get on here and just say the ugliest things hoping the team will lose. The City built the new Canalta Centre in my time here and it is a great facility so I can't understand people's attitudes of suggesting they shouldn't go to games and not support the team. Anyway, just my thoughts on supporting your local team sports.
I agree with what your saying but it’s been 10 + years since the team has even made the finals. Pretty long time of being good but not good enough.
It does feel very unfortunate that the Canalta Centre has had some tough times. It's a great rink to watch hockey. The Tigers really needed a new rink, even though the old rink was an experience in itself. I miss the old arena. I wish they'd host a 1 game old time game there. I would pay double for that experience.
I feel people are getting bored with the same style of play. It's like watching 9 seasons of re-runs, after a while, you turn the tv off. Same style, similar players, different names on the back.
I'm seriously considering dropping my season's tickets and I've been going to games for 20+ years. I think I'm going to give them 1 more year because they might have a good team next season.
I love the Tigers and just want to see them succeed, but instead of enjoying this hockey I feel like I'm getting angry on why I continue to pay and watch the exact same movie play out every year. Maybe it is time to take a year off.
Agreed, it's the sameness of the team and players. As mentioned many times, Clouston gives the majority of ice time to 18-19 and overage players. The 17-year-olds that have talent get p-off and want out. Every year, the players that get most of the ice are under-sized, somewhat talented players who are average WHL players. Not exactly the type of player that brings you out of your seat with excitement.
Clouston rarely drafts high end, elite players (Sillinger perhaps being an exception). And the talented 17 year olds he does draft ask out because they feel they are not getting enough ice. They want to show scouts their stuff in their draft year (Hobbs, Rybynski etc, etc) and when they don' get it, ask for a trade. People would be fine with this arrangement if the team was winning. But generally it's win one series against a weak pretender team and then get easily dispatched in the 2nd round against an actual contender.
This has happened year after year and fans are tired of it and tired of Clouston. Personally, at this stage, I would take a young team that takes its lumps for a year but shows improvement as the year goes on rather than the same old, same old year after year after year.
Agree with a lot of your points however clouston isn’t the guy doing the drafting and it’s not exactly easy to find elite talent.
I would like to see the young guys get a chance. I feel like we are a low-middle of the road team year after year with older players that are bagged to death each game. I would be happy watching games that even if we lose we get to see the development of young players. Especially right now, we are losing despite playing veterans. Would have liked to see a few more trades at deadline to get some picks, some youth and make a run in a couple of years. But we stuck with the guys we have, happy with not achieving much but squeaking into playoffs and getting ousted in the first round (hopefully this year missing as I would like to see a higher pick and consideration of changing coach/GM).
I love the tigers, will always support them. The guys on the team play their tails off, they really do. I appreciate going night in and out and being entertained but would love to see a bit more commitment to winning from ownership/coaching.
As for the arena, well, it is so far out of town, it has been seen time after time when you move an arena away from where the population lives they are less likely to go - look at Ottawa. So frankly, I feel the team and city knew this would be coming. The location of the beautiful centre is all wrong, but nothing can be done about that for another 30-40 years.
The arena so far out of town? Can you state a more ridiculous point? You can go from one end of town to the other in 20 minutes. Wait no you are right. There is never ever anyone at Costco what with it being so far out of town.
P.S. You compared Ottawa to Medicine Hat. Reaching a bit there to try and add "fact" to your point.
Say what you want about it being "boring" hockey replayed every year but last night's game was the best I have seen all year. The first period was slow and you gotta feel bad for Sogard, his d didn't really help him out. But the 2nd and 3rd period were all Tigers. They were moving the puck well, shooting and actually throwing hits.
The return of an "overplayed" 20 year really made the difference. Jevne had two goals and an assist. He is a good leader to have on the team and I think we are lucky to have him despite him being "undersized". He plays larger than he is
SSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOO tired of hearing the arena is so far out of town. Give me a freakin' break!!! That is the lamest excuse in the book!! Costco never fails to be busy and it is "so far out of town" too!!! Get over it!!!!! The reason attendance is down is due to 2 things - first one is lack of interest in the product on the ice for whatever reason - Clouston-itis, boredom, etc. Second reason is lack of money. Times are tough and people need to make choices as to where to spend their hard earned cash. A mediocre team would maybe not be a priority.
Lol, to far out of town. With that thinking people in Ross glen must never go to Cosco and crescent heights people must never go across town to the mall or Walmart. That's the most ridiculous comment I've ever read on here and there's been some doozies.
So many things wrong with this organization and Canalta. First off it is time, Clouston needs to be replaced this summer.Every year a couple kids ask to be traded out of town, if that doesn't scream FIRE CLOUSTON I dont know what does.The games are so boring lately due to the fact that there isn't any skill left on the team. Clouston's systems don't allow for players to show their skill thus the reason they ask to be traded. Our poor goalie who faced 50 shots a game for a good couple months has finally wore down and he is no longer able to carry this team anymore.In all my years of watching hockey I have NEVER seen an entire line change while the puck is in our zone, last night I did my god. Now Canalta where do we start...... Last night I stood in line for 20 MINS just to get popcorn for my daughter,I missed some of the game because of it.I can tell you the old Arena this never happened,and there was never a concession closed they were all open to provide proper service.You honestly think I am goin to pay $80 + dollars for my family to go to the game only to wait in lineups for a drink or popcorn while missing the game ?? (I dont think so).Next the atmosphere sucks turn the god damn music up,have you ever been to a Flames game there is a BIG difference let me tell ya. Don't tell me a brand new arena like Canalta doesn't have the sound system in it to do so.Next open up the upper seats at a discounted price or make it a minor hockey section where if you wear your jersey to the game you get a ticket for $5 or something.This will make taking a family to a game a little more reasonable and dont worry you will still make your money off of food and drink.All of a sudden you start getting more people into the doors more people equal more noise and thus the atmosphere becomes fun once again.If you have have more people sitting in upper seats then lower bowl owell the red seats are empty as is so whats a few more. I can just imagine how many family's in town cant afford it anymore. $80 for tickets another $50-$70 in food and drink and your close to a two hundred dollar evening.Things need to change and until they do so the Canalta will continue to be empty.
Cloustons systems don’t allow his players to show their skill?
So I guess guys like Valk,Butcher, Shaw, Bradley, Fischer, Rassell just to name a few never got to show their skill.
Maybe the team this year just doesn’t have as much skill compared to years past. Clouston has made plenty of mistakes and we can all agree on that but for him to be the guy that gets blamed for absolutely everything is ridiculous.
Anon 12:00pm. "Our poor goalie who faced 50 shots a game for a good couple of months has finally worn down". Not true, last night was his 34th WHL game. In those games he's faced an average of 29.7 shots against so your number of 50 against for two months is a bit off. You can add another 10 games or so with exhibition games and the world juniors which gives him 45 or so games played which is about 20 more than he's played in his career so far. I would suggest that has a little something to do with his play of late.
ANON 9:59, Clouston is the one drafting and he is also the one either firing the scouts or causing them to leave. He is the GM and has the say on picks and trades.
This is what he's created and ownership is not going to change and get a new GM, the fans are stuck with this for god knows how long.
I was super impressed with one of Jevne's Assists on the tieing goal last night.
He was coming down the left wing and was a bit tired. He deviated from a normal shot action and changed his windup....He took a shot on the net designed to produce a rebound. Trevor Longo capitalized on that chance and scored.
That was a very smart play!
Clouston may have a say in drafting but that’s why they have a director of scouting. Used to be Kruger, last year is was Sears, now it’s fox. Those were the guys that spent the time in the bantam rinks. Those are the guys that go up and make the picks. I’d have to assume those guys are the ones along with the scouts that make the majority of the decisions.
Anon 2:49 you are correct.
TigerTurf - I can't agree more on Jevne's play to set up Longo's goal. He is a lot smarter of a player than people give him credit for and IMO he is a game changer.
It WAS a good game last night, but earlier comments are true - the line changes are brutal and you can still be assured that e v e r y s i n g l e powerplay they will have at least one idiotic/never-works drop pass at their blue line. It is pointless with their speed and skill level and if Clouston is a coaching genius on any level, any of it is erased by the patented insanity that is the Tigers drop pass. ARRRGH!
Anon at 10:04 do you watch NHL games. It's used often on powerplays. There is a reason why teams use it.
Cole Sillinger's Team the Regina Pat Canadians swept their first-round opponent. They are off to round 2
The GM in Medicine Hat makes the final decision on drafting and everything else around him. You think the revolving door is because the guys doing the work get any credit?!!! Word is he has signed an extension, so let the fall continue.
Anon @ 9:46 - yeah, it's pretty and if executed, it does give skilled players a chance to have the forwards in motion to receive a pass in full flight as they cross the defenders' blue line. But the Tigers do it nearly every rush. It's absolutely predictable, they rarely succeed in getting behind the opposing team, and/or they still take long shots on goal - allowing the goalie plenty of time to make the save. Every team with eyes must know by now that the Tigers continually do it and most of them are more than able to defend. Voldemort knew that Harry Potter would use expelliarmus too, that's how his owl died! But I digress... If there's a point or advantage, bring it on. But with this team - it's ridiculous.
After 30 years of season tickets I don't think I can take another year of this coach and gm and owners stuck in the 70s.
I gave up my season tickets 2 years ago, it had nothing to do with the coach or the location of the Canalta Centre. I travel south for part of the winter and it just wasn’t worth the expense for 1/3 of the season. I too have had heard Hatters of a certain age group complaining about the arena being built “way out” in Redcliff which is comical. One lady said she gave up her season tickets because she didn’t want to drive on the trans Canada in the wintertime. I guess she never heard of Cresent Heights. It is a shame that the attendance has been abysmal. These kids deserve better. Medicine Hat used to have a tradition of being the loudest barn in the Dub. The move to the Canalta Centre has completely wiped out that title. The last game that I attended it was like a morgue. Way too many people on their cellphones texting not paying attention to the game.
One thing that has been impacted by the Canalta Centre is the group of fans who would cab it or walk to games, enjoy several libations and make a lot of noise and sometimes be really clever in roasting the refs, visiting team and coach. That started in the early Seventies with the old Section 28 crowd and continued right to the time the rink closed, though they moved sections and there were several years the rowdies disappeared and would eventually return. Don't see that crowd as often at Canalta.
Also, tougher for kids who walked to the old rink or took transit because as they no longer have the option if there are no parents or friends to drive them. But yeah, if you're sober, over 16 and have a vehicle, it's not a factor. From where I live in Southridge to Canalta take me a bit over 10 minutes, so really a lame excuse not to go to games because of driving distance. I think Ottawa I read the commute can be up to 90 minutes.
I’d say kemp is really starting to find his game. He’s maybe a little to relaxed at times but he’s got a lot of confidence with the puck and makes things happen. He’s also pretty good at taking pucks away from the team.
Kemp played really well tonight. He sometimes doesn't bring his legs to the game and when he does he can be a pretty effective player. Looks like he found some chemistry with his linemates Jevne and Chyzowski. I don't think he played well the previous night so it was good to see he stepped up in a must-win game.
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Phew!
Brandon had some poor scheduling. The 2 most important games of their season and that was their 5th road game in 8 days, and their 6th road game in 9 days.
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3 Brandon Points lost or 3 points gained by the Tigers will clinch a playoff spot.
I've been to numerous pro baseball and hockey venues all over North America and in February followed the Tigers into the US Division. These pro franchises and US franchises of the Dub KNOW how to have a good time and it's really loud. I agree totally on the morgue comment at the Canalta Centre, IT IS! I totally agree with the previous post the upper deck must be opened up and at a huge discount you will make up for it in concession, beer, 50/50 tickets sales (yes I know it goes to education fund but big pots add excitement) and even the Tigers store sales. Again agree on the music comment, the music must be PUMPING but stop playing the majority of today's music because it completely sucks and I know a lot there at the Canalta Centre that would agree, remember Medicine Hat is a retirement city. You will never go wrong with the hairbands of the 80's...Van Halen, Metallica, etc... Next the Tigers need to have theme nights whether it's a Star Wars night, a 70's night, etc both pro baseball and hockey venues do this and it's a huge hit. Next emphasize the Tigers franchise name, what I mean is have the Tigers skate out to "Eye of the Tiger" and have the Tiger "roar" after every goal scored including after the announcement of the goal scorer and after the goal assists announcement this is implemented very well in the US division will a Grizzly roar in Everett and Winter Hawk Drum in Portland. The Panthers in Sunrise FL do this really well with goals scored, this is how you add personality to the venue, a rocking good time, louder crowd, and a tougher venue for the visitors.
So a member of the media contacted a friend of mine to see if he could interview them to get a sense of how the fanbase feels about Shaun Clouston.
He's overheard us complaining about Clouston at the games.
If anyone wants to get their opinions heard, reach out to chat news. I'm sure they would like multiple opinions on Clouston.
If ever there was a time to be heard, it is now.
Here's a FYI to fans Don Hay is an assistant coach with Winter Hawks and wants to coach again a WHL franchise. Some season ticket holders in Portland told me that. If you're going to get rid of Clouston you better get it right...
If you're suggesting Bringing in Don Hay that would be a big fat NO for me. His final years in Kamloops weren't exactly stellar.
If they did make a change I think the assistant Ryan Smith would be a good choice.
Agree with Longtimefan in that Ryan Smith should be promoted. I was hoping when they brought him in last summer that was the plan. Ryan should have been promoted when Manny V left swift but was not given the opportunity. This seems like the logical next step for the Tigers.
Do ALL the players not like clouston. Does anybody actually know. I personally know a few guys that have played for him and I know they didn’t like him. I also know some that did like him. I realize there’s been numerous trade requests but does anyone actually know if the majority of players don’t like him. Some of us just speculate without actually knowing.
You gotta' be joking. Hay is 66-years-old. He should retire not coach 16-20 year old kids. An older coach can work, the guy in New England is doing pretty well. But Hay's most recent HC experience suggests the game has past him by, and a long time ago at that.
Smith is a great coach! Big loss for the tigers if he’s not back next year
Well what has clouston won? Has he been to the memorial cup as a head coach or made it to the whl final..No! By the amount of players demanding trades says something is wrong here. The owners are not behind the bench or running practice or making trades. If players like him or not doesn't matter now he has been here too long and has not won anything...same old boring style... Time for a positive change of coaching style ..
I am guessing Chat will not run the story of the fans not likely Clouston. In MH it seems that any form of news does not do any investigative reporting, they just report their games/wins/losses. They don’t do any pieces that are negative. I wish they would as it would put pressure on the team. Love the team, tigers fan always and would love to see Smith as head coach, or, even better, get Willie back at the end of the year after he is done in LA.
If the media contacted a friend of yours you should get him to tell them to check this site out. Plenty of discussion regarding Clouston under comment section in playoff push and Josh Williams trade posts.I dont think people would mind if they published their comments considering most people post under Anonymous anyways.It would also promote this site, I really enjoy reading other peoples comments. Iam sure there are alot of others that dont even know about this site that would enjoy it also.
It never has and never will matter if players like a coach. What matters is if the players respect a coach. They might tell their family and friends they don't like a guy, but it likely won't go any further than that. Asking to be traded takes it a step further. They would take that step because they neither like or respect the guy in charge. The dislike for Clouston is, obviously, not unanimous. David Quenneville and Mark Rassell defended Clouston and trolled Rybynski on Twitter after he asked for a trade. But that's not a real barometer of what players think about Clouston. Even the worst coaches will have some supporters. The litmus test for Clouston is the number of guys, who, year-after-year, want out.
Watching the tigers tonight, first 2 periods the tigers have played real well. Thought there has been some change up on the PP, not always doing the drop pass but still using it at times. Good hustle. Really like the look of their game so far.
Phew, Tigers found their scoring touch! Tigers officially clinch a playoff spot!!!
Brandon lost tonight!
2 Tiger points or loss of points by the Rebels will clinch 7th spot.
Possible Matchups
Prince Albert - Unlikely but possible if Red Deer passes the Tigers
Edmonton - Very Possible if Tigers Remain in 7th and Edmonton Takes 1st in central
Lethbrdige - Possible if Tigers Remain in 7th and Lethbrdige Takes 1st in Central
I have been pretty critical of the Tigers lately but they played a great game last night.They played with some emotion, they were hitting and Jevne even got into a scrap.Its been a while since I was actually entertained at a game and I must say I really enjoyed last nights game. I would like to give a shout out to Jesse the Arena Host he brings it every night.He does a really good job of trying to get the building going and it definitely isn't his fault that Canalta is dead some nights.They still need to open up the upper bowl at a discounted price to get more people into the building (most important factor) and then turn the music up so its more like a Flames game.There was a couple times last night where I actually thought the volume was turned up so maybe someone is actually reading our comments.
For Some Reason they always play excellent against Red Deer. A Team they like to play against.
All their issues disappear when they play them.
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According to hockeyfights.com that was only the Tigers 10th fight of the season. They are last in the league in that category.
What a game last night! A couple forwards have really been standing out to me. Of course the goal scorers - Jevne, Chyzowski, Kemp and Hamblin but also I have really noticed Christensen. He is a super strong centre and although he doesn't get a ton of points he makes a lot of plays that do get points and he is also a very talented defensive centre. You can tell he has a ton of respect from the other players. Also McCarry - I see a lot of promise in that kid. He is small but fast. You know we have been super tough on the coaching staff and scouts but they sure have made some good decisions for the team. Christensen was a good trade for Haden and Kemp was a good trade for Williams. I have been critical but man I have been eating my words lately.
Logan Christensen is a -18 since joining the Tigers, I am not sure that's what you call a talented defensive centre.Gary Haden has 61 points in comparison to Christensen's 19 pts since the trade and Haden is a +22.The Tigers absolutley lost that trade and its not even close.As for Kemp/Williams trade Kemp has 7 more points then Williams thus far but keep in mind Williams is a year younger, I still think the Tigers lost that deal.I just about guarantee a 18 year old Williams will out scores Kemp in his 18 year old season.
The Haden trade was definitely a loss. He had 1 goal here and was able to turn it around in Saskatoon. You can’t win every trade unfortunately. That trade doesn’t look good.
As for the Kemp trade it’s tough to look into the future. We may have gotten a year older but kemp is a 30 goal guy and should improve those numbers next year. Williams doesn’t even look like he’s going to get to 15 this season. He could make a jump and put up 30+ next year or he may not. The way things look now you can’t say the tigers lost that trade. The tigers got the better player right now and he’s only a year older. It’s not like we traded Williams for rental.
Anon 123 I'm going to disagree with your take on Williams. His numbers with Edmonton pretty much mirror his production here and he's on a much better offensive club. Fact is Josh is soft and doesn't get to dirty areas often enough to get goals that goal scorers get. That was the knock on Kemp when he came here but I haven't seen that out of him. He forechecks hard and isn't afraid to take the body, something Williams doesn't do enough of.
I held my tongue for a long time about kemp He wasn't skating, he was losing the puck too often and I didn't like him on the powerplay...He had a hot start, but after that, I was quite unimpressed.
Someone lit his pants on fire 6-7 games ago. I don't know if it was the coaches, a teammate or he just decided it's go time.... But the last 6-7 games he has been a different player and taking charge on the ice. It's soo good to see! because that has changed the dynamic of the team in a good way.
It's not a coincidence that when Kemp plays well the Tigers put up bigger numbers on the scoreboard.
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The Haden trade was guaranteed to be a loss. It was just hoping the Tigers could squeak out some value in return.
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Williams had a high initial skill level, but his development has been completely normal/average. Because he had such a high skill level we expected him to have an above average development but that didn't turn out to be the case. It will be interesting to see where he goes in the draft. I think he could go anywhere from late round 3 to round 5.
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I'm still bitter about Rybinksi. 32 points in 31 games over in Seattle. He's proved his trade request was valid. Would have liked to see that production over here...He has basically proven us all wrong.
Lower bowl is getting close to a sell-out for tonight's game! That's what I like to see! Coming together to support our team!
Edmonton won this afternoon. The game against Lethbridge may still hold some merit....
A Tiger victory would Tie them with Calgary for the 3rd spot. Calgary does have the Tiebreaker. So the Tigers would need 3/4 points in their last 2 games and have Calgary loose on sunday. If that Happens the Tigers will play Lethbridge
Otherwise, it will be Edmonton.
We play Edmonton, no ifs involved. All 4 teams have one game left, Calgary has the tie breaker over us and Edmonton has the tie breaker over Lethbridge if they end up tied.
Your right. Not sure why I was thinking the Tigers had 2 games left....my bad
edmonton it is.
69 games? I'll have what he's having.
No one better get injured tonight play the rookies as much as possible outside of Sogaard. Sogaard better get the starts against Edm play Hollett in tonight's nothing game.
Boys looked good tonight. Great crowd. Room for improvement but looking good heading into the playoffs. Going to be an interesting match up with Edmonton.
Glad I'm a season ticket holder, would have hated to miss out on those massive giveaways if I wasn't. Kelowna gives away a boat, Kamloops a 10,000 hot tub and we get hats, toques and gift cards as a teaser and one fit bit and a Google home as major prizes. Pull your friggin head out of your a@@es Masers.
So true
Folks next to me won a Don Cherry bobblehead - that they gave away the week before... Truly a joke. The only real fan appreciation was Jesse's 30 second video and the players salute at the end of the game :(
Anon 3:52 I don't mean to laugh but that d@mn right is funny because it is so utterly pathetic. I can honestly say if I was an entrepreneur I would never invest a dime in MH too cheap of a city. My old man does have his own business always telling me how people there always want everything for nothing...
On a side note it appears there is a price tag to bid/host the Memorial Cup of 2 mill from 2020 numbers, I always hoped with the new building MH would host one BUT with ownership and the cheap city I highly doubt that will ever happen...
I stand corrected that 2 mill price was from 2013, last years memorial cup price tag cost 3.65 mill...
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