Round One
Game: 1: Sat March 23rd - 7:30 Edmonton
Game: 3: Sun March 24th - 6:00 Edmonton
Game: 3 Tue March 26th - 7:00 Medicine Hat
Game: 4 Wed March 27th - 7:00 Medicine Hat
Game: 5 Fri March 29th - 7:00 PM Edmonton
Game 6: Sun March 31st - 6:00 PM Medicine Hat
Game 7: Tue April 2nd - 7:00 PM Edmonton
Notes:
Dylan Myskiw is 11-1 all-time against the Tigers. Myskiw was the goaltender for Brandon last season when the Tigers took a 2-0 playoff series lead but lost the next 4 games.
The Tigers lone victory against him was a 4-3 Shootout win January 16th.
The Good News is that one of Edmonton's Top Scorers against the Tigers now plays with the Tigers. Brett Kemp had 5 points in 2 games when playing for the Oil Kings against the Tigers
Links
Tigers Ready To Embrace Underdog Role
Tigers to Face Edmonton
Edmonton Set To Take Centre Stage
Oil Kings, Tigers to duel in first round
77 comments:
How many games do you think the Tigers will win?
I think if Sogaard plays amazing and the Tigers get some powerplay goals they have a shot at making it pretty close.
If Sogaard plays instead of Hollett this will be a LONG series thinking 7 games. Not having Craven on the blue line hurts too bad his career is likely done. This series outside of goaltending will be decided 5 on 5. You can't expect alot of power plays Tigers are going to have to learn to score gritty goals even strength.
I think the Tigers can give Edmonton a run for their money, IF:
1. They get some hot goaltending
2. They keep their feet moving for 60 minutes
3. They play a bit more aggressively on the defense, particularly in front of their own net....They can't leave opposing players unmolested as they are apt to do...I watched the canes captain work over one of our D men in front of tigers net the other night....I got confused as to who was actually playing defense! Lol
The Tigers have some skill and all lines can score...They might not be a championship team but are dangerous opponents. Go Tigers!
Disclaimer: I'm not Clouston or related to the team in any way! Hehe
My heart says Tigers in 6, my brain says Edmonton in 5.
Missed the deadline for picking up playoff tickets for season ticket holders! WTF?? Why wasn't it posted on their website?????
Anonymous 10:32.... I was missed the deadline too but still picked mine up this morning, the seats hadn't been sold yet
The Orange and Black finished the regular season with a 35-27-4-2 record and they will battle the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first round of the playoffs. Season ticket holders can start to pick up their tickets for playoffs on Monday, March 18th at 9 AM. Tickets will also go on sale to the general public at that time.
This was in the article from the last home game against Lethbridge.
It looks as if Cole Sillingers team has been eliminated from the playoffs by Notre Dame. Maybe a call up is in order.
Longtimefan - the team announced this morning that Cole will be joining them for game one in Edmonton.
How many games is Sillinger allowed to play in the playoffs due to his age?
Against Edmonton 3 of the 6 games went into overtime. All but 1 game was a 1 goal game.
I really liked the Tigers last game against Edmonton even though the Tigers lost.
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Edmonton likes sending 2 guys in and pressing their attack offensively. I looked at Edmonton's last loss (against Regina) and all Regina used was big stretch passes. It seems like the stretch pass is very effective. When the stretch pass doesn't work it's usually a board battle and Edmonton doesn't have a great team along the boards.
I think that's a reason why they traded for Williams because Williams is good at protecting the puck along the boards whereas a player like Kemp wasn't quite as effective in that area.
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Dylan Myskiw
I watched some game tape and Myskiw excels at reading the shooter's body language. He is strong at anticipating. He is a very smart goaltender. More often than not he reacts to the shooter's body language.
The goals that are scored on him are when he can't see the shooters shot path. An Example of a goal that completely fooled him was in the game edmonton played against Brandon.
Stelios Mattheos was coming down on a partial break. He looked high glove, did the leg kick, and looked like he was going high glove. At the end of his shot instead of going high glove he turned his wrists over and the puck went stick side.
Myskiw reacted in the opposite direction the shot was headed...
Myskiw is on a big hot streak. I feel if the Tigers are unable to mask their shots this series will be over in 4 games because the stats say edmonton has better shooters.
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I think if the Tigers resort to a system they used a few years ago and use some stretch passes up the boards and mask their shots. It will jump on the Oil Kings weaknesses and the Tigers will stand a good chance at taking the series.
Otherwise I feel Edmonton is a high favorite, even though the games will be close.
Now that Sillinger's team is done he is a Tiger and can play every game if needed.
Tiger turf, curious to know what your background in coaching is?
Sillinger cleaned up in the SMAAAHL
Leading scorer (76 points)
League MVP
Top forward
Rookie of the year
1st Team All-star
Excited to see how he does as a Tiger
I've never coached, why?
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It's one thing to lead the league against the same age group. Another thing entirely to lead the league in scoring against 17yr olds when he is only 15. That is an extremely good sign that he will be an elite player. Looks like the Tigers drafted a good one
That's what I thought.
I've been following this blog for a few years and generally enjoy the debate and observations. Regardless of coaching experience, or lack thereof, Tiger Turf obviously spends a fair bit of time researching and thinking about his posts. While you can argue with some of his conclusions, and some are far off (but probably no worse than the professional nhl pundits), you can't knock him for the effort and mostly good info provided. Unlike many commentators on here who express strong opinions without a shred of evidence or credibility to back up said opinion, Tiger Turf actually puts some research and thought into his posts.
If anyone on here has a wealth of coaching knowledge and can build on Tiger Turf's work, feel free to contribute in a meaningful way. Passive aggressive digs like we just witnessed are uncalled for and rude. Keep doing what you do Tiger Turf....I appreciate it!
Anon 12:50 I agree. I was offside with my comment. I also appreciate the work tt puts into the blog. Don't agree with some of his/her takes on things but not everyone has the same view on things.
Tigers basically did everything that I wrote they needed to yesterday....Keep feet moving, be a little tougher defensively and get great goal tending! Great start to the series! Go Tigers!
Hopefully this win will sell some tickets for game 3. Looks pretty pitiful on the ticketmaster site.
Lets Gooooo! Go Tigers!!!!
Thanks Kevin. Appreciate it!! It is so easy to criticize or try to one-up people and I appreciate you sticking up against that. I was pretty much expecting that comment because that person made a similar comment in a previous season when I commented on post-season playoff strategy.
Anybody who follows hockey thinks they are a hockey genius. The reality is that if they were, they would be in the NHL. We are all just armchair gm's following a team we like and have differing opinions on how they should achieve that championship.
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Looks like the Tigers gave the oil Kings space and said come beat me 1v1. This is something the Tigers wouldn't have the experience or skillset for prior to Ryan Smith joining the coaching staff.
They concentrated on 1v1 man to man defense and the Oil Kings couldn't beat them. The Tigers played textbook defense...aka New Jersey Devils, Kootenay Ice style game.
It looks like hardly any season ticket holders picked up their tickets. Pretty sad for the players (not for the Masers).
Sorry TT but I'm going to have to disagree with your text book defence comment. Giving up 50 shots isn't text book. Yes they worked their tales off but the fact is if not for the tremendous outing from Sogaard this is a game one loss. Going forward, giving up that many chances probably won't bode well.
Good to see they won the special teams battle, killed the three power play chances and added a shorty. If they can continue that trend I think they have a decent shot at an upset.
You spelt tails wrong.
Edmonton had maybe 4 quality scoring chances. Sogaard was nearly perfect and made it all look very easy tonight.
Well played and executed a great game plan.
Thanks for all your hard work TT. We true fans appreciate it.
I feel that saying sogaard was the sole reason for the victory is a blatant oversight of how well the Tigers played defensively. I mean The Tigers penalty kill scored the first goal of the game.
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My definition of text book defense is keeping shots to the outside. As well as 1 and done shots when they get through. Edmonton did have a lot of shots, but by my count 20 of their 36 shots in the first 2 periods were dump in shots with no zip or traffic in front and from the outside.
Many shots from in close didn't have good wood on the shots due to active sticks from the defenceman.
First Period
- 9 of 13 shots were dump in shots.
The one by the net was poor. The other 3 I'd classify as Tier B chances. Dangerous if the goalie wasn't set or if the shooter was able to catch the goalie offguard.
https://postimg.cc/gryZ9xR7
Second period
The first prime chance Edmonton had was on a PP with a short mini breakaway followed by a rebound. This was on the PP following a 5v3. If a teams first prime chance is halfway through the game on a powerplay your doing pretty well defensively.
There were 5 shots in front but I remember 2 of them being relatively weaker shot quality. 2 of them also came on the same sequence. Having said that Sogaard played extremely well and if Edmonton scored on their 5v3 powerplay the game could have been different.
https://postimg.cc/R6wzJ2KZ
Third Period
I lost my tracker. Don't feel motivated to watch the game again...
The overall theme is that a ton of shots were from the outside. Edmonton was leading with an 8 to 1 shot advantage through ten minutes, but if you asked who the better team was at that point you'd say no-one.
Anon 11:39, true fans? I've been attending games since the teams inception in 1970, season ticket holder for over 40 years missing maybe 20 games in that time span. Because I don't always agree with this blog writers take doesn't make me any less of a fan.
Did the Tigers play a good game last night, for sure. Penalty kill was great as it must be, Sogaard was great and the boys worked their TAILS off. All that is great, but, playing defence is hard work and puck possession is a key part of any game and series. The Oil Kings had the puck for a good chunk of time with the Tigers having to defend a lot. All I'm saying is trying to sustain that type of play over a 7 game series is going to be difficult.
Made the trip to Edm for both games, it's now the 2nd int 2nd game and I said if Sogaard plays this team has a real shot to win this series. Dont be fooled by the shots against their defensive play / blocking shots / sticks in passing lanes has been stellar. If I'm an NHL scout I'd be all over Sogaard Im predicting now he gets drafted in the 2nd round. Go Tigers!
Edmonton was throwing out some modified pick plays to create some space when the Tigers were patient and backed in.
Andrew Fyten is killing the Tigers in the faceoff dot running at a 63%. He took 40% of Edmonton's faceoffs last night.
I didn't like the Tigers first 15 minutes of that game. Edmonton's Forecheckers were pressuring harder and looking for the little passes to the front of the net and the Tigers struggled a bit with that.
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I did like how after Edmonton was taking control of the game and tied it up 2-2 the Tigers pushed back hard and went up 3-2. The same could be said for their 2-0 lead after Edmonton was the better team in the first.
I also really liked Linus Nassen's 2nd goal. He looked top right corner, pulled back a slap shot and squirted a shank shot the other way, which fooled Myskiw. That was planned.
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I'd like to see more out of Prezusio. He seems to be having troubles getting the puck out of his zone and I don't want that play next season if he's a 20. He's disappeared into february and the Tigers need him to get that speed going.
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Overall though. Gotta be somewhat satisfied with a split.
Only 1 day off to go over Edmonton's Adjustments before back to back games in the hat Tuesday/Wednesday
I watched second and third periods last evening...I thought the Tigers looked tentative...kind of like they were just playing to hang on, whereas Edmonton was playing to win but running up against the Great Wall of Denmark! I had watched Saturday's game as well and I don't think the Tigers were playing with the same level of compete on Sunday...just an impression. I do think that if they can play their game, keep their feet moving and keep getting fantastic goal tending, they are going to have a fighting chance.
I know this favors neither team and the Oilers played on Sat at 2 PM...but it is complete BS playing 4 games in 5 days in the playoffs. I get the Dub occasionally does this in the regular season but it's totally uncalled for right now!!!
I was very impressed with the Tigers first 2 games of this series. I am not and will continue not to be a fan of Clouston. But I have to give the whole team credit that they had a system and stuck to it. I hope they can keep it up at home. Edmonton will come hard to take home ice back. Would be nice going back to Edmonton with a 3-1 series advantage. I honestly thought this would be over in 4.
I wonder if the Home team influences the schedule, or if it's the whl trying to space out games like the NHL does.
It seems odd they would schedule a playoff game 2 hours after the Oilers Played unless those other nights were booked.
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Looks like there are still a ton of empty seats for tonight @ Canalta. Hopefully they can at least reach 3000, but I counted over 1700+ tickets in the lower bowl still available.
WOW. Didn't expect that at all. What an ass-kicking!
This quick turn-around might be a blessing in disguise. Hope the Tigers are able to calm down tonight and get some rest. They are likely quite pumped after this.
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Early in the second, it was like a flip switched and the Tigers suddenly took over the territorial advantage.
There were so many good moments, Sillinger scoring the first goal of the game. Hamblin beating Trey-Fix Wolansky 1v1 and scoring a goal. Lockner stepping up on some Edmonton players taking liberties. Longo played exceptionally sound on the back-end. Sogaard played exceptional. Christensen made some big plays... Ostir played very well. Hopwo getting under the skin of some key Edmonton players.....Clayton/Baker being steady eddy go down the list...
Let's Gooo!
There wasn't a guy in the roster that didn't play well tonight and as a unit the six dmen played as well as they have all year. With the forwards coming back the way they are its enabling the defence to step up and clog the neutral zone. Macpherson and Longo didn't give Fix-Wolansky a sniff all night.
Momentum turn for me was Lockners fight in the first period. I think it sent a message to Edmonton that the Tigers weren't going to back down, and they didn't.
Only negative for me was the amount of times Sogaard got bumped or had players knocked into him with no calls.
Lastly, the people in this town that call themselves hockey fans. The crowd tonight was pathetic but credit those that were there with the noise they made.
Yes that was a barn burner for sure! Solid play by the Tigers! Love the line of Christensen, Ostir and Sillinger - huge talent there. Small crowd tonight but man were they loud and mighty! Hope tomorrow we can fill it up! Go Tigers!
The crowd was so into it tonight it was great! The team played a great 60 minute game! I sure hope more people show up tomorrow to support the boys!
SOGAARD IS THE REAL DEAL! He won me over permanently on that US trip and continues to not disappoint. That Lockner fight totally changed the game.
I hope Mads can keep his composure because he hasn't seen anything yet with the crashing the net crap. I kept reminding myself we were playing the Oil Kings and not the Rebels, definitely a Sutter tactic. The D have to protect Sogaard at all costs, if Hollett plays they will lose!!!
2685 attendance what a complete and "udder" disgrace. That wouldn't have sold out even Swift Current either (2879)...
Sogaards stock has to be rising! Who would not want to draft this kid?? Sillinger is going to be a beast in this league. Was so dominant tonight. Good win!!! Now MH fans need to get their a$$es to the rink and cheer these guys on! We need it to be like the old barn!
I'm thinking that the small crowd is actually people trying to send ownership a message! They rely on playoff gravy so maybe when that isn't there, they'll start to think about selling this team to someone who is really interested in it. Wishful thinking? Probably but that's my opinion.
Fans not going to playoff games is probably hurting the ownership due to numbers however it is also hurting the players. They need our support regardless of who thinks that the coaching needs to change. Those of you who just love whining about the coaching....have you considered that maybe just maybe they are actually doing a great job? Maybe looking at the team in a positive light will help you all see more clearly?!
Anon 8:50 AM - there could be a million reasons why people did not come to the game last night and probably won't come tonight, but I highly doubt it's a "sending a message to the owners to sell". It is that time of year where a lot of kids are in playoffs themselves or various competitions with whatever they do. A lot of families I know are on holidays. The list could go on.
Also, do you know the owners personally? How do you justify making a statement that they don't care? Just because they haven't fired Clouston? That is such a couch quarterback thing to say. Why not be a true fan and cheer the team on?
Remember the time Cranbrook wanted the owners to sell the team? How'd that work out for them?
These kids are playing their hearts out for our city right now. I hope the community starts to rally behind the team.
Anon 8:50, how'd that work out for Kootenay?
Lomgtimefan that's what concerns me MH may suffer the same fate. If Masers / Canalta start charging for parking or increasing the surcharge on tickets mark my words its the beginning of the end. I know it sounds ridiculous but you gotta find a way to make for the shortfall. I will say it again open up the upper deck for free now to sports teams...DO SOMETHING...you will increase your profits in concession sales.
From a very good source, the league is becoming concerned about this franchise and the attendance numbers and how the team is run.
The Masers would never be in favor of paid parking so that wouldn't ever come from them. I don't foresee Canalta adding paid parking either, numbers for events have been no where near what was forecast before the building was constructed so paying for parking wouldn't help in that regard. There's two surcharges on the tickets, one from the construction of the building that won't change and the second is the tax from Ticketmaster that neither the Tigers or SMG can control which could change.
I would agree with you in the upper deck although I would open it at a reduced cost and not free. Reducing the cost for schools and minor sports organizations could be an option. I read that Saskatoon was charging $5 for the playoffs for kids under 12 accompanied by an adult.
I think there's lots of things they could do if they chose to but that's the key, choosing to. Having a marketing department might help as well.
Longtime Fan - I am curious who your source is. I have a friend who works in the WHL office in Calgary and he is pretty tight lipped about everything that goes on there.
Anon 4:50, somebody from the western conference.
Tigers got some bounces in game 3. Edmonton got some bounces tonight. That’s hockey, Edmonton deserved this one.
Clouston got outcoached in Game 4
15 shots on goal is absolutely embarrassing.Total different team last night the game was nothing like the night before.This is the reason the Canalta has been empty, people are sick of wasting their hard earned money on crap hockey.No intensity from the team at all,game before they were fighting hitting and pissing the Oil Kings off which was very enjoyable to watch.The power play is absolutely terrible and they are way to passive on the PK (MOVE YOUR FEET). Iam well aware that you don't want to over commit on the PK but Clouston has them giving the other team way too much time and space. Unfortunately its looking like another first round exit for Mr Clouston.
When they win, crickets. When they lose fire the coach, laughable.
The goal that got called off really seemed to suck the wind out of the Tigers. Is it just me or was goal tender interference a bad call? It seemed to me that Scott pummeling on Tiger player on the ice is not goal tender interference... Did I not see that right?
Anon 12:09 I would agree. He initially got knocked down by a sliding tiger but as you said he became physically involved with that player when he got back into the crease . I thought he had ample time to get himself reset.
I thought in the second period if they could have gotten another goal they would've been ok but when Edmonton scored their second the wind came out of the sails. Even with the low shot total they had some real good chances and some others that didn't result in a shot on goal.
WIN or LOSE, they need a coaching change in Medicine Hat
Can't happen fast enough
I felt like last game both teams were skating through sand. Both teams even played a different neutral zone game in the first half sending 1 forward in and keeping 2 back most of the time.
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4 games in 5 nights I think definitely played a big factor for both teams. I felt like the Tigers brains were still buzzing from the previous night, but their bodies weren't reacting fast enough and they had troubles connecting plays together.
Maybe it's not a coincidence that odd plays tend to happen in those games.
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2 Deflections from the hash marks and a weird bounce off the boards, 1 goal called back. That equals a 2-2 game...
The goal that got waved off was an odd play. The replay shows Edmonton's goalie diving the other direction, I think he was trying to embellish the contact after he was bumped into. There was obvious contact, but the goalie diving the other direction was very odd and he took a big risk that ended up paying off.
If their goalie didn't embellish the bump he would have been in position. Yet if the Tiger didn't run into the goalie they likely still have a similar quality scoring chance there...
Tough call.
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Good Luck to the Tigers tonight. Hope the puck lucks goes their way!!
Looks like another loss. Well there is always next year. Maybe once the Tigers bomb out early Clouston will finally get fired? 2800 fans for playoffs is a pretty strong message.
Very sad first period - and I'm one of the anon posters here who believe that the asst coaches could platoon and make better decisions than Clouston.
How about putting Hollett in to start tonight (Mads didn't have a great game 4)? If he wins, well that matches the hype that the Tigers have two quality goalies and takes this team to near Cinderella mode with needing to win only one of the last two games. If he loses, Sogaard starts game 6 in Medicine Hat after having a rest (and additional focus on standing on his head to win - which is what the Tigers need to progress through Round 1). If Sogaard wins, Clouston looks like a genius and if he loses, well - the Tigers aren't as good a team as Edmonton anyway and they danced with the one who brung them... No original thought with this guy and not an ounce of (sports) psychology.
Anyone else watching the game? Did you notice the Oil Kings “playoff pass”
$79 per seat for every home playoff game. “The more we play, the less you pay”
I’m sure any teams fans could get behind that! Something like that would sure fill Canalta.
Yes I noticed that last weekend... Heck of a deal!
Starting Hollett would be a ridiculous decision in my eyes. Sogaard has been up and down but Holletts numbers were nowhere close to as good as Sogaards. We all know who the better goalie is.
IF HOLLETT PLAYS AT ALL THE SERIES IS OVER!!! CASE CLOSED!!!
Ever notice other than the paper and now that it's playoffs the radio pushing the game because attendance is down. How poorly marketed this team is? When there is a medicine hat Mavericks game in town there are roadside signs everywhere?
Tough pill to swallow but let’s be civil here. I don’t think we lost because of clouston. I don’t think we lost because we weren’t big enough. Team wasn’t skilled enough in my opinion. Most people didn’t even think we would win 2 games.
Time to look forward to the bantam draft and next season.
Well, Good Luck Edmonton. Proved to have the better team. I think most people thought the Tigers would be done quickly, but the Tigers gave them a great fight.
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Linus Nassen - His OA season IMO was hugely beneficial for his development. He is ready for pro's now. Made massive improvements defensively.
Dylan MacPherson - Eat up a ton of minutes for the Tigers. A 17yr old callup out of the Midget AAA, turned into a Top Pairing Defenceman in his 20yr old year. Couldn't ask for anything more from a local kid!
Ryan Jevne - Didn't get a lot of icetime in his early days as a Tiger, but took his game to another level the last 2 seasons. Was a big factor offensively!
Good Luck boys to whatever comes next in your journeys.
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I enjoyed the season overall. I was happy to see the Tigers give Edmonton a workout for the win...the boys played hard and that's all you can ask. Good luck to the players moving on! Looking forward to next season!
Tonight’s game reminded me of the famous “rope a dope”. It was painful to watch. Congratulations to the Edmonton Oil Kings, best of luck in round 2. All the best to the Tigers overages.
I feel very badly for our players who tried their best against a much better team. The attendance at the home games was pitiful and the owners better wake up and hire a marketing specialist to bring some life back into this fanbase.
The attendance for Tigers games is a joke and an embarrassment for a team that is competitive every single season and in beautiful new facility.
Pathetic really.
Good luck to Dylan McPherson, Ryan Jevne and Linus Nassen!! Many are hoping the Masers open their eyes and get a new coach in next season! Sitting players who have are supposedly full time players during playoffs is a crock of shit. How do you develop a player when they sit?!?! A lot of mind games for these boys and it needs to end!! We’ve heard a lot saying they will not renew season tickets if things don’t change.
The facility is beautiful I agree..
"Competitive?" That's the reason attendance is so low.
3 of the last 4 seasons have seen winning percentages of:
.451
.715
.556
.559
The .715 season was a disappointment with the Tigers losing in Round 2. It's not hard to see why fans don't bother anymore. It's now been 13 years since the Tigers have had a finals appearance in 06-07
I have been going to the games since Lanny McDonald. I have seen the highs of being a top team for years and winning back to back memorial cups. The lows of 1500 people at a game and $ 99 season tickets to where we are today! Marketing and promotions of this team has changed very little since the 70's. Why change anything. Who fixes a money when it's not broken..they (owners) would have gone long ago had they been losing money badly. This coach/ gm has never won a whl championship or made it to the whl final. Make the playoffs and have a early exit year after year. Players always as for trades sometimes because of a sense of entitlement (parents/agent) a trend throughout the league. But here it is every year and most of the players leave here do well or excel. Until they relief him of his coaching duties hopefully gm duties as well ... After 30 years of season tickets I will not be taking my 2 season tickets
There are some wacky people on this site who can't all be masquerading as hockey experts!
For all the so called fans saying they aren't renewing their season tickets for next year:
Sillinger is going to be a stud in this league and most likely have a nice NHL career afterwards, you are really going to pout and give up the chance to watch him develop here? Because you don't like the way the team is marketed? Or you don't like the coach/gm? Or the owners? Or the first round playoff exits? To me that is crazy! From what I saw of him during the playoffs I am excited for next season!
I guess the only Tigers hockey you have seen is at the canalta center since they moved there.
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