Early in the week the Tigers made a blockbuster deal with Regina picking up Kyle Burroughs, and Dryden Hunt. The Two flew to Victoria to await the rest of the Tiger team.
55 Hour Bus Ride
Their were a couple avalanches on the road and the Tigers were stuck out in revelstoke. I guess they basically camped out in the Bus. Seeing as how the next morning arrived and they kept pushing the time back to when the road would be opened they found a hotel and stayed the night. The next morning they made their way to Victoria and met up with their new teammates.
Victoria
Pretty much played with a new lineup as this was Markus Eisenschmid's first game back from the world juniors. First games for Dryden Hunt, and Kyle Burroughs. Blake Penner was back from injury. That was almost a whole line. I thought the Tigers controlled big parts of the game. The broadcaster mentioned that this looked like Detroit Red Wings game where they controlled the majority of the puck possession. The Tigers won 3-2 but that score flattered Victoria.
Vancouver
I didn't get the chances to watch this game. The Tigers always have a good rivalry with Vancouver and always seem to loose against them at least once no matter what the skill Vancouver has. I was a bit surprised though that Vancouver came out with the 5-3 victory.
Kelowna
This could very well be a preview of the whl championship final if both teams have their way.
A hard fought game. It was the Tigers 3rd game in 3 nights, with a brutal bus-ride. The Key moment in the game was when the Tigers scored 2 shorthanded goals in the same penalty kill. Kelowna had taken the lead, and the Tigers bang-bang took it right back. The Tigers controlled the first period, it was a fairly even game throughout the rest, although I might give a small edge to kelowna in the second half. Kelowna will only get better as they gel with their new players. The Tigers won 5-3.
New Faces
Hunt has 4 points in 3 games.
Burroughs has 3 points in 3 games, and a +3 rating.
Just watching both these guys play, I can't believe the value the Tigers got without giving up a significant prospect(minus hobbs who was never going to play for the Tigers again)
Burroughs is so smart in his own end. He fought Tyrell Goulbourne of kelowna standing up for Tyler Lewington, after Lewy took a big hit. Even though Goulbourne wasn't the guy that hit lewington, Goulbourne had been a thorn in the side, and I thought that was a key moment for the Tigers.
The Tigers still have Owre, and Stanton out with injuries, both key players to the lineup.
Next Up Regina Pats
Looking forward to the matchup against Regina on Wednesday. I'm sure it will be fairly emotional for Burroughs and Hunt. Wouldn't be surprised to see if either of them go into the wrong bench once.
I agree with longtime fan who posted in the comments "
I would hope that people don't boo Connor Hobbs when Regina plays here on Wednesday. As I've said previously he's a young man that I think he got some bad advice."